Pirates comeback from 20-point deficit on the road
By Bryan Kress
Finding themselves down 27-7 win the third quarter at Allen East, Bluffton put together two comebacks that may very well end up being the biggest moments of the season.
Bluffton put up 270 yards to Allen East’s 350 total, but the only real numbers that matter are the point totals 35-33.
The first quarter was quiet offensively as Allen East scored first with a 15-yard TD toss.
Mitchell Ault, getting his first start of the season hit Drake Luginbuhl on a 9-yard pass to even it up at 7 in the second quarter.
Allen East would score twice in the second with two touchdown runs to go up 20-7 before the half.
Another Allen East touchdown run would put the score at 27-7 before the Bluffton offense showed what they have been capable of doing all season.
Zach Wilson would run for a three yard score with only seconds left in the third to cut the lead to 27-14.
Wilson would punch another score in from four yards away with seven minutes left in the game, and only a minute later Ault hit Isaac Little for a 24-yard scoring go up 28-27.
Allen East would score once more but the Bluffton defense stuffed the two-point conversion to keep the score within five at 33-28.
With 70 yards to cover in two minutes, Mitchell Ault led the Bluffton offense down and on fourth down with only 13 yards to go hit Levi Kistler on a 26-yard pass to take the final lead at 35-33.
Ault played very well in his first start hitting on 14 passes on 20 attempts for 173 yards and three touchdowns. Isaac Little led the team with five catches for 81 yards. Zach Wilson led the team in rushing with 55 yards and two touchdowns.
Another key player in the game was kicker Matt Deter who hit on all of his PATs in a game that was won by only two points.
Bluffton (3-3) will travel to Spencerville (4-2) to try and keep their perfect road record.
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Friday, October 9, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 9
- Pirate girls soccer loss vs. St. Marys
- Pirate volleyball sweeps Carey
- “The Trumpet Player” sculpture at Bluffton University receives conservation grant
- October 9 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Plenty of action at Oct 10 Dillinger robbery reenactment and motorcycle show
- Caitlyn Couch junior piano recital, October 16
- Bluffton community survey opens for Active Transportation Plan
Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines on Thursday, October 8
- St. John Bible Church to host "Refocus on Purpose" workshop
- Royal riches: Gout
- Has Bluffton made a birder out of you?
- BPL Afterschool activity: Curious Kids Club
- Book and pizza tasting at Bluffton Public Library
- Final 50 for 250 performance at BPL
- Walking through the Suter Corn Maze
- Resident feedback sought for Regional Transportation Plan
- Bluffton University honors three for service, achievement and leadership
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting, Friday, Oct. 9
- Fire extinguished at SRK Industries, plant resumed operation same day
- Bluffton girls tie Grove in NWC showdown
- Pirate volleyball falls to powerhouse Patriots
- BHS GOAT: Latin teacher Margaret Weaver
- Library patrons invited to showcase their collections or causes
- September 2026 land transfers in the Bluffton school district