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Pirate football: Defense picks off four Ada passes in big win

By Sam Brauen

The place to be was War Memorial Stadium in Ada on Friday evening. 

The field turned out to be aptly named as the Bluffton Pirate football team fought, scratched and clawed their way to a 27-21 victory over Ada. The win was of high importance for a few reasons. 

First, it stopped a three-game losing streak for the Pirates.  In a much longer term, it snapped an eight-year losing streak at the hands of the Bulldogs.  Both Ada and Bluffton owned 5-3 records heading into Week 9.

While the offenses normally take center stage in this matchup, Bluffton’s defense and special teams shone brightest.  The Pirate ‘D’ intercepted Ada quarterback Trent Joliff four times on the night, paving the way for the victory.  On special teams, Dustin Falk returned a punt 92 yards for a touchdown.  Senior quarterback and captain Mitchell Ault played a terrific game, throwing for three scores, leading the team in rushing and intercepting two Bulldog passes. 

The Pirate defense made sure their slim fourth quarter lead held fast as Ada’s final three possessions ended by interception.  

Trailing 27-21 after three quarters, Ada marched to the Bluffton 13.  Joliff lofted a pass to the goal line but Dakota Bricker knocked it down.  Four plays later, Joliff hit his receiver in the numbers but the ball popped up and Ault deftly grabbed the ball out of midair to end the drive. 

After the Pirates killed some clock by running the ball and then punted, Joliff again was foiled, this time by Joel Siefker.  An errant throw glanced off a Bulldog receiver’s hands and Siefker nabbed the ball and moved up field. 

The Pirates again went nowhere on offense as they continued to milk the clock and protect the six point lead.  Ada got the ball back with 3:45 left in the game.  Joliff scrambled for a first down at the Bulldog 48.  On the next play, he had all day to throw and decided to go up the middle where Ault jumped in front of the waiting receiver. 

The Pirates needed just one first down to end the game and got a big gain from Brady Basinger.  The fullback’s only carry of the night went for 16 yards and allowed the Pirates to knee out the clock for the win.  Although the ending was suspenseful, the beginning was not. 

Bluffton jumped out to a 20-7 lead midway through the second quarter before Ada stormed back to take the lead.  To start the game, Kaleb Jefferson picked off an Joliff toss at the Pirate five yard line and returned it all the way to the Ada 39.  Three completions later, the Pirates were in the end zone.  Ault threw to Bricker over the middle from the 21 yard line.  The sophomore receiver pulled off a spin move at the five yard line to elude a defender and walked in for the 7-0 lead.

The next Pirate score came with the game tied at 7-7.  With the Bulldogs blitzing on nearly every down, Ault had his hands full making reads.  The Pirates inched up the field mixing Ault rushing attempts with passes to Jefferson, Bricker and Sam Crisp.  The score came on an 18 yard diving catch at the goal line by Crisp to make it 13-7 after the extra point was missed.

The last Pirate score of the first half was the most exciting.  The Pirate defense held Ada to three and out and forced a punt from the Bulldog 41. The punt sailed over Dustin Falk’s head who attempted a catch but dropped it. 

Falk scooped the ball up at the eight yard line and made his way up the middle of the field.  Gaining speed, he broke to the left sideline which was open.  At the 50, Falk picked up a pair of great seal blocks and then simply out-sprinted everyone to the goal line.  Carrick Lancaster’s point after gave Bluffton a 20-7 lead.  Ada tacked on a late first half touchdown to make it 20-14. 

At the end of the day, Ault and the Pirates earned a hard fought win.  Mitchell, who grew up and currently lives just outside Ada, threw for 187 yards and three scores.

The senior also rushed for a team high 54 yards on 18 carries, some of which were designed runs but most of which were not.  Sam Crisp and Dakota Bricker each caught six passes and a touchdown. Shawn Justus snagged four passes for 30 yards.  Most importantly, the Pirates didn’t turn the ball over in the game.

The stout Pirate defense gave up some yards but made plays when it counted.  Joliff threw for 354 yards but had those four pesky picks.  Zach Little had two big quarterback sacks and was joined by Crisp who had two tackles for loss. 

Kaleb Jefferson made eight tackles and Bricker four.  Other defensive line stalwarts included Blake Sampson and Kyle Swank who repeatedly harassed Joliff in his pass attempts.

The Pirates will look to keep their playoff hopes alive with a home win over Crestview this Friday.  The Knights are 3-5 and coming off a 57-14 drubbing at the hands of Jefferson.

Bluffton is in 10th place in the most recent Division VI, Region 22 computer rankings.  The top eight teams make the playoffs.

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