By Cort Reynolds

BELLEFONTAINE – The visiting Bluffton High School football team jumped out to a big early lead to kick off the regular season, then had to stave off a Ben Logan rally to secure a 42-28 victory on Friday, August 21.

The Pirates raced to a 28-0 lead in the second periodand never trailed despite a Raider comeback that cut the lead to seven at one point.

The Pirates answered the BL rally with 14 unanswered points to clinch the seesaw battle.

Bluffton drove 79 yards to score on their first possession.

Quarterback Tayte Giseige executed a fine 19-yard draw run up the middle to the Raider 43 to spark the opening march.

He then completed a 27-yard crossing pattern to Ethan Sprunger to reach the BL 16. Running back Parker Lovell hammered 10 yards up the middle to the six.

Lovell scampered around left end and dove for the corner pylon, but was ruled out at the one.

Lovell then scored on a one-yard touchdown plunge at the 9:31 mark. Andy Brodman’s extra point kick made it 7-0.

On the next possession, senior quarterback Giesige found paydirt on a 10-yard TD run, followed by a Brodman PAT to double the lead to 14-0.

Blayne Hill then intercepted a Raider pass and returned it 27 yards to the end zone. Brodman’s third successful kick put the Pirates ahead 21-0 after the first period.

Lleyton Miller then scored on a 77-yard aerial from Giesige. Brodman’s boot stretched the margin to a seemingly comfortable 28-0.

BL got back in the game late in the second stanza. A three-yard TD run and an 11-yard scoring strike through the air helped the Raiders battle back within 28-14 by halftime.

In the third period, BL found paydirt again on a 25-yard TD run to inch within 28-21.

The Pirates stopped the unanswered run of 21 Raider points with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Giesige to Miller. The scoring pass restored a 14-point lead at 35-21 later in the third quarter.

Bluffton scored again through the air on a 48-yard TD pass from Giesige to speedy Kizer Young to extend the margin to 42-21 with seven minutes left in the game.

The Raiders scored one last touchdown to reduce the final margin to 14.

Stats and notes

Bluffton racked up 436 yards in total offense on 55 plays (7.9 per play). The Pirates rolled to 264 yards passing and added 172 rushing.

BL compiled 393 yards on 74 plays (5.3 avg.). The Raiders amassed 219 yards rushing and threw for 174yards.

Bluffton earned 20 first downs compared to 23 by BL.The Pirates made one turnover while the Raiders committed two. Bluffton was penalized eight times for 50 yards. BL was flagged seven times for 66 yards.

Giesige completed 13 of 19 passes for 264 yards and three TDs with one interception. He also rushed 14 times for 101 yards and one score to account for 365 total yards.

Lovell rushed nine times for 57 yards and one TD.

Miller hauled in six passes for 136 yards and two TDs. Young snagged two receptions for 46 yards and a score. 

Hill caught two passes for 16 yards. Jaeger Crawfis snared one aerial for 42 yards. Sprunger added one grab for 27 yards.

The versatile Giesige made four solo stops and assisted on 11 tackles to pace the defense. He had one tackle for loss.

Zayden Morales made three solo tackles and assisted on eight others. 

Braylin Aller recorded one sack. Hill had the pick six return, and Young recovered a fumble. Young had six assists and three solo stops. Dylan Painter made seven assists and one solo tackle.

Raider QB Adam Tinsman completed 17 of 25 passes for 174 yards and two TDs with one costly pick six. He also led BL in rushing with 63 yards on 12 tries.

Senior wide receiver Jordan Pender caught two passes for 59 yards and one TD.

The Raiders rushed 40 times for 219 yards (5.5 avg.).

The Pirates (1-0) play at Milan Edison (0-1) in week two on August 28. The Chargers lost at Patrick Henry 42-21 on Friday.

​1​2​3​4​F

Blu​21​7​14​0​42

BL​0​14​14​0​28