Bluffton gridders grounded by Rockets
By Cort Reynolds
The Bluffton High School football team lost at local rival Pandora-Gilboa 42-7 in a non-league contest Friday night, August 26.
The defeat dropped the Bluffton record to 1-1, while P-G improved to 1-1 with the decisive win.
The Rockets scored the first touchdown on a seven-yard run to seize a 7-0 lead.
Pirate junior Gavin Bogart tallied a touchdown on a 36-yard run in the first period. Kyle Basil's point after kick tied it 7-7 heading to the second period.
But the Rockets then ran off the next 35 points to win going away.
Two TD runs gave P-G a 21-7 lead at halftime.
A 42-yard scoring aerial extended the Rocket lead to 28-7 after three periods.
P-G added TDs on runs of 46 and three yards in the fourth quarter to provide the final margin.
1 2 3 4 F
Blu 7 0 0 0 7
P-G 7 14 7 14 42
Notes and stats
Bluffton netted 235 yards on 59 plays for a 3.9 yard average per play. P-G racked up 470 yards on 58 snaps (8.1 avg.). The Pirates compiled nine first downs and gave up 20 chain-movers.
Bluffton rushed for 125 yards, while the Rockets amassed 254 yards on the ground. Balanced P-G also accumulated 216 yards through the air.
Pirate QB Garret Bogart completed 10 of 22 passes for 110 yards.
Gavin Bogart rushed five times for 73 yards and the lone Pirate TD.
Landon Shutler netted 33 yards on 14 carries. Garret Bogart added 23 yards on eight runs.
Braeden Jordan caught three passes for 50 yards. Hayden Dearth snared one aerial for 32 yards.
Jordan and Quinn Eachus each made one interception. Ian Rieman and Kameron Coughlan both recovered a fumble.
Landen Worcester led the defense with 12 tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss.
Bluffton committed one turnover while P-G made four miscues. The Pirates were penalized six times for 67 yards, while P-G was flagged just twice for five yards.
P-G converted five of nine third down attempts, and went 1-1 on fourth down. The Pirates were four for 14 on third down, and 1-3 on fourth down tries.
Bluffton hosts Defiance Ayersville (1-1) Friday, September 2. The Pilots beat Delphos Jefferson 41-21 in week two, but lost to Delta 22-19 in their opener.
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, September 11, 2026
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- Sept. 12 Open Doors offers sneak peek at future Bluffton museum space
- Innovation Forum challenges leaders to think deeper about AI
- Invitation to Sept 15 Bluffton Lions program with Dr. William H. Kose
- Deer archery hunting begins Sept. 12 in Disease Surveillance Area
Thursday, September 10, 2026
- Women in Business program with Positive Nutrition
- It's time for Fall Storytime at the Bluffton Public Library
- Pirate girls golf win vs. Lima Central Catholic
- Pirate boys golf splits NWC tri
- Bluffton PTO is collecting Community Markets receipts
- Richland Twp. trustees hire mower and Zoning Inspector
- Schumacher Homestead plans a farm full of Fall Fest activities
- Hindsight is 20/20: Recent reports for RSV, flu, and COVID-19
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
- Darrell Lee Diller, 92, managed a farming business
- Bluffton alumni will discuss pathways to chaplaincy
- Beaverdam cleanup day is Sept. 12
- Pirate boys golf 3rd at NWC quad
- Pirate volleyball outlasts Arlington
- Pirate girls soccer blanks Crestview
- Pirate boys soccer tie vs. Kalida
- Letter: The future of American agriculture
- Maple Grove Cemetery records now online
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- Bluffton Historical meets Sept. 9 at the 1899 Depot
- Jerry L. Blosser worked for DTR Industries
- Bluffton Schools cancelled on September 8, cleanup for biodigester malfunction underway
- July 2026 Bluffton Police Dept. activity report
- Hillville Rd. closure on Sept. 8-9
- Lions and friends will count pathway users in September
- Bluffton Ohio Historical Society takes part in Ohio Open Doors, Sept. 12