By Delano Whidbee
Traveling on the road last Friday the Bluffton Pirates football team faced the Crestview Knights in a Northwest Conference contest.

Crestview punched in the first score of the game with a 5 yard run. Point after kick was good, Knights lead 7-0.

Late in the 1st quarter Pirates quarterback Mitchell Ault ran for a 2-yard touchdown. Two-point conversion was no good, and Crestview still held the lead 6-7.  With 1 minute left in the 1st quarter the knights burst for a 59 yard touchdown run. Point after kick was no good adding to the lead 13-6.

Crestview Knights scored twice during the 2nd quarter with a 5-yard touchdown run (PAT was good) and again on a 9-yard pass (PAT was good). The Knights increased their lead over the Pirates to 27-6.

But, when adversity strikes, leaders take control. Bluffton quarterback Mitchell Ault threw 4 consecutive touchdown passes to senior wide out Robbie Stratton, and the Pirates jumped in the lead 31-27 with a lot of momentum early in the 4th quarter.

The Knights didn’t back down they were able to score 2 rushing touchdowns in the 4th quarter to secure a 41-31 victory. Crestview improves to 4-0; Bluffton falls to 1-3.

BHS racked up 372 yards of total offense; junior quarterback Mitchell Ault was a big part of that he was 23 for 39, with 366 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Robbie Stratton was the main target for Ault; he ended the game with 9 receptions for 170 yards, and 4 touchdowns. Senior tight end Levi Kistler had 7 catches for 124 yards. Stratton led the defense with 8. 5 tackles; also Dylan Alt had 8 tackles for BHS.

Bluffton Pirates will host Ada Friday at home in the homecoming contest for Bluffton.