Pirates take it down to the wire, but come up short 9-7
By Delano Whidbee, Icon sports writer
Traveling on the road again, the Bluffton Pirates football team faced another Blanchard Valley Conference opponent the (1-0) Van Buren Knights. The game started Friday night but was called in the third quarter due to lightning. The game concluded on Saturday afternoon.
After a score-less first quarter; the Van Buren Knights 22-yard field goal attempt was good putting them in the lead 3-0.
To start the second half the Pirate’s Mitchell Ault threw a dart to Sam Crisp for a 5-yard touchdown. Point after kick by Dylan Alt was good; putting BHS in the lead 7-3 for the first time in the game heading into the fourth quarter.
The Pirates lead was cut short after the Knights scored on a 4-yard run making it 7-9. Unfortunately BHS couldn’t jump back in lead before time expired. The 2-0 Van Buren Knights defeated the 1-1 Bluffton Pirates 9-7.
Dylan Alt led the defense with 9 tackles, and Brady Parkins followed with 7 tackles. Safety Robbie Stratton had 6.5 tackles and had two tackles for loss.
The 1-1 BHS Pirates will play their first home game of the season Friday when they host 2-0 Delphos Jefferson Wildcats.
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, October 2, 2026
- John "Jack" Palte, 88, was a farmer
- Nature walk at university Nature Preserve, Oct. 3
- ICYMI: September 2026 Bluffton Icon Highlights
- Walking through Autumn series brings hikers to Bluffton
- Pirate volleyball win vs. Spencerville
- Pirate boys soccer ties Ottawa-Glandorf
- Pirate girls soccer loss vs. Toledo St. Ursula
- October 2 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Can you bake a winning pie?
- Library seeks Holiday Gift Auction donations
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
- Pirate volleyball loss vs. Lincolnview
- Village of Bluffton meetings announced, Oct. 1-Nov. 2
- 100 years of being Beavers: 2026 Bluffton University Homecoming, Oct. 2-4
- Check out October 2026 BPL Update
- Final call for for Bluffton photos contest
- Pandora-Gilboa HS crowns Homecoming King and Queen
- Bluffton Council recap: Purchase of Marsh Run acres approved
- Senior Center's October membership dinner
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
- Pirate volleyball sweeps Wapakoneta
- Pirate boys golf 4th at NWC tourney; Meyer places 2nd
- Pirate girls soccer shuts out Lima Central Catholic
- Pirate boys soccer shuts out Lima Central Catholic
- Pirate girls tennis blanks Kenton
- Bluffton Fall Festival overflows with family fun
- Stauber exhibit at Massillon Museum through November 1
- Arlington invites generations of alumni to all-school Homecoming
Monday, September 28, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, September 21-27
- Alan K. Yoder, O.D., 86, owned Family Eye Care Clinic of Bluffton
- I-75 lane restrictions in Hancock County, Sept. 28-Oct. 2
- Travis Michael Swank, 40, was a salesman
- NetVUE panel highlights chaplaincy, vocation and meaningful work
- Bluffton Presbyterian hosts community-wide Socktober drive