By Cort Reynolds

On September 2, the Bluffton High School football team lost a 27-19 nailbiter to visiting Defiance Ayersville in a non-league contest at Harmon Field.

The loss dropped the Bluffton record to 1-2, while Ayersville improved to 2-1 with the win. 

The Pilots scored first on a one-yard run, but the extra point kick was no good to keep the score 6-0.

Pirate junior Gavin Bogart then found paydirt on a 70-yard scoring scamper to tie it 6-6. The Bluffton point after kick also missed to keep the score tied after one quarter.

Landen Worcester gave the Pirates the lead on a one-yard run in the second stanza. Kyle Basil's extra point boot put the hosts in front, 13-6.

But Ayersville tied it 13-13 on another one-yard TD plunge and PAT kick before halftime.

The Pilots regained the lead on a 44-yard TD run in the third quarter. The extra point made it 20-13 in favor of Ayersville.

Bluffton responded with a 24-yard TD aerial from Garret Bogart to Braeden Jordan. But a two-point conversion try by the Pirates failed, which kept the Pilots ahead 20-19 heading to the final quarter.

Ayersville padded its lead with a two-yard TD run in the fourth period. The extra point kick extended their lead to eight, and they held on for the win.

1 2 3 4 F

Blu 6 7 6 0 19

Ayers 6 7 7 7 27

Notes and stats

Bluffton netted 280 total yards on 51 plays for a 5.5 yard average per play. Ayersville racked up 382 yards on 65 snaps (5.9 avg.). 

The Pirates compiled 15 first downs and gave up 19 chain-movers.

Bluffton rushed for 176 yards, while the Pilots rolled up 235 yards on the ground. Ayersville also threw for 147 yards.

Pirate QB Garret Bogart completed 10 of 18 passes for 104 yards, throwing one TD and one interception.

Gavin Bogart rushed once for 70 yards and one TD. Worcester netted 62 yards on 15 rushes.

Landon Shutler gained 51 yards on 10 carries. 

Braeden Jordan snared three passes for 51 yards and one TD. Gavin Bogart caught two aerials for 24 yard. Hayden Dearth snagged three passes for 12 yards.  

Gavin Bogart led the Pirate defense with 14 tackles, including five solos. Worcester was in on 15 stops, with 14 assists. 

Quinn Eachus and Kameron Coughlan both had 11 tackles with nine assists apiece. Coughlan also recorded a tackle for loss.

Pirate junior Preston Culver made one interception. 

Bluffton committed three turnovers with an interception and two fumbles, while the Pilots made one miscue. The Pirates were penalized three times for 19 yards, while Ayersville was flagged four times for 45 yards.

Bluffton converted three of eight third down attempts, and went 2-3 on fourth down. The Pirates were four for 11 on third down, and 2-5 on fourth down tries.

Bluffton (0-1 home) opens Northwest Conference play in week four at home vs. Spencerville (1-2) Friday, September 9. 

The Bearcats (1-0 road) lost at home to Fort Loramie 35-7 in week three. 

Previously, Spencerville beat Paulding on the road 37-13 in week two. They lost at home to Elida 31-0 in the opener.

Bluffton is 24th in the Div. V, Region 18 computer rankings. Spencerville is tied with Marion Pleasant for 22nd in the same 28-team region.