By Sam Brauen
For the 12 Pirate seniors, there was no better way to walk off Harmon Field than with a big win under their belts. Bluffton dominated Crestview 41-28 to move to 6-3 and keep their playoff push alive.
Bluffton is now 6-3 and ninth in the most recent OHSAA computer rankings. The top eight teams make the postseason. The Pirates will look for win number seven at Columbus Grove Friday.
After a wild first quarter Crestview led 16-13, but the Pirates scored the next 28 points to earn their sixth win. Senior quarterback Mitchell Ault said it best, “They played man on man tonight and our guys won. We moved the ball to the open guy and they made big plays.” Coach Kyle Cutnaw agreed saying, “For the most part, we did what we wanted on offense tonight whether that was running or passing. I was very happy with the offensive unit.”
Crestview stormed out of the gates to an 8-0 lead but Bluffton responded immediately. The first Pirate play from scrimmage went for 45 yards, a slant pass from Ault to Dakota Bricker. Kaleb Jefferson bulled into the end zone from seven yards out for the touchdown.
After a quick Knight punt, Bluffton was back at it. Sam Crisp hauled in a 38 yard pass to the Crestview 25 and two plays later, Dustin Knight sped into the end zone for a 13-8 Bluffton lead. The Knights, using a high tempo offense, marched down the field again and scored. CHS again converted the two point conversion to finish the first quarter scoring barrage. Scorekeeper Dan Smith was busy in the pressbox as the scoreboard read Crestview 16 Bluffton 13 after just 12 minutes of play.
The Pirate offense then really got rolling in the second quarter. Brady Basinger gained 12 yards via the pass, Falk added another eleven on the ground and Ault threw to Bricker again for the touchdown, this time from 31 yards out.
Bricker was hit at the four yard line but refused to go down and muscled his way into the end zone. Bluffton led 21-16 at half and added to it in the third quarter. After the first Pirate drive ended with a missed 38 yard field goal attempt by Carrick Lancaster, BHS ate up five minutes of clock over 10 plays. Ault threw to a wide open Joel Siefker along the end zone sideline to make it 28-16 Bluffton.
Jefferson blew the game open with a 60 yard burst up the left sideline late in the quarter. Ault threw to Brady Basinger who slithered in from the five yard line for a 41-16 advantage. The Knights tacked on two meaningless, late scores and continued to try onside kicks late in the already decided game to arrive at the final score of 41-28.
Ault complimented his teammates saying, “We really ran the ball well. With Kaleb’s strength, Dustin’s explosiveness and Dakota’s shiftiness they present a lot of trouble for defenses. The offensive line did a terrific job tonight giving me time to throw.”
Ault completed 10 of 16 passes for 220 yards, 3 touchdowns and no turnovers. BHS won the turnover battle, 2-0. Falk had his best game of the season on the ground, rushing for 128 yards on 12 carries.
Jefferson motored for 77 yards on just six carries. Bricker caught 4 passes for 87 yards and Sam Crisp hauled in 2 passes for 65. Brady Basinger continued to be dangerous out of the backfield with 3 catches for 45 yards.
The final regular season tilt with Columbus Grove will be a meaningful one for both squads. Columbus Grove sits in spot 12 in the Region 20 standings and is mathematically alive for the postseason as well, but both teams may need help to get to Week 11.
Both Cutnaw and Ault had similar sentiments looking toward the Week 10 showdown in Putnam County.
“We need to bring our best. Whether that’s lifting, studying film, on the practice field and most importantly, Friday night. We need to be 100% focused and play at our top level,” Cutnaw relayed. Ault had a kindred mindset, “We have a chance to make the playoffs and that is definitely one of our and my goals. But even bigger than that, I want to go out and win and whatever happens with the rankings, happens.”
Along with cheering for a Pirate victory, Bluffton fans should also take up a rooting interest in Twins Valley South who play Miami East (8th spot) Friday night. Two years ago, the Pirates won a 23-19 nailbiter in the rain at Clymer Stadium. Here’s hoping to another big win this Friday evening.
