By Sam Brauen

Week seven of the 2015 Bluffton football schedule saw The Big Red take the field for the second straight week against a run-heavy, state-ranked opponent.  Spencerville, fourth in the latest poll, dispatched the Pirates 41-7 behind 296 yards and six touchdowns from senior running back Zach Goecke. 

Like Delphos Jefferson the week before, the Bearcats racked up over 400 rushing yards on their way to the victory. Goecke wasn’t the only weapon out of the SHS backfield.

Junior Calvin Wilson (71 yards) and sophomore back Chris Parker (60 yards) helped form the wishbone attack that kept the PIrate defense off balance all night.  Spencerville opened the scoring with an 11 play drive that covered 71 yards. 

Goecke scored from three yards out but it was Wilson that did the heavy lifting to set the table with a 25 yard burst up the middle, a 13 yard counter and 8 yard toss.  The extra point was missed and Spencerville led 6-0. 

Bluffton responded quickly.  Facing third and long from their own 42 yard line, quarterback Mitchell Ault started to scramble, then threw to wide receiver Dakota Bricker on a crossing pattern. 

The speedy sophomore got away from his defender and made it to the right sideline.  Seeing daylight ahead, he made another Bearcat miss and then scooted all the way to the end zone for the touchdown.  Carrick Lancaster’s extra point gave Bluffton a 7-6 lead, their first advantage since Week 4’s win over Paulding. 

The Pirate defense forced a punt immediately but the Pirate offense could not take advantage of excellent field position at the Spencerville 49.  Jason Bracy punted for BHS and pinned the hosts on their own one yard line.  Undaunted, Spencerville marched 99 yards, capped off by an 8 yard Goecke scamper.  The senior back plowed in for the two point conversion to make it 14-7 SHS.

After another Bracy punt, Goecke started to really shine.  The back took a handoff to the right side, broke two tackles and sprinted down field for an 81 yard score.  The Pirates were forced to punt again however nice defensive plays from Joe Schriner and Blake Sampson forced a Bearcat punt. 

The kick boomed over everyone’s head and landed at the Pirate 10, a kick of 70  74 yards. With just a few minutes left in the half, BHS wanted to get on the board again.  Spencerville picked off a third down screen pass.  The play was saved by Ault who made a touchdown saving tackle.  However, four plays later, Goecke plowed in from three yards out to make the score 28-7, advantage Spencerville with just 56 seconds left. 

The Pirates started hot in the second half as Dustin Falk returned the kick 23 yards to the Bluffton 48 yard line.  Ault threw to Sam Crisp for 20 yards on the first play of the third quarter.  BHS turned the ball over on downs a few plays later.

Goecke’s fifth score capped a 73 yard drive and put Spencerville up 35-7 midway through the third quarter.  After another Bracy punt, Goecke scored his final touchdown, a 60 yard burst up the middle, untouched. 

Down 41-7 in the fourth quarter, it would have been easy to give up but the Pirates showed some heart down the stretch. Wilson sprinted down the left hash for the Bearcats on his way to the end zone but Dustin Falk would have none of it.  The speedy junior raced down the ball carrier from behind and stripped the ball, which Bluffton recovered.

The Pirate ‘O’ went three and out but Spencerville muffed the punt and Kyle Swank pounced on it, giving BHS new life. Bluffton advanced downfield as Ault continually found Bricker for gains of 15, 15 and 12 yards. 

Facing fourth and goal from the three yard line, Ault’s final pass clipped off a receiver’s hands in the end zone incomplete in the game’s final minute.  Although no score was made, the Pirates fought to the bitter end.  Spencerville improved to 7-0 with the win; Bluffton dropped their third straight and is now 4-3.

BHS sits in 14th place in the most recent computer rankings.  The top eight teams in each region advance.  The Pirates will need to get back in the winning column starting this Friday at Ada to keep their playoff hopes alive.  Games with Crestview and Columbus Grove await to close out the regular season.