Showdown vs. Grove in week 10

By Cort Reynolds

FORT LORAMIE__The visiting Bluffton High School football team built a big early cushion and blew out Fort Loramie 48-13 in a Northwest Conference clash Friday, Oct. 16.

Bluffton raced to a 28-0 lead early in the second period and extended the margin to a commanding 41-7 by halftime.

The Pirates improved to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the NWC after the resounding road win.

The Redskins fell to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in NWC action following the home defeat.

Senior back Parker Lovell rushed for 231 yards and four touchdowns to pace the victors. He now has 29 touchdowns this season, believed to be a program season record.

Senior quarterback Tayte Giesige completed three of five passes for 123 yards and one TD, including a 65-yard score to Blayne Hill.

Giesige also ran for 66 yards and a pair of TDs on four carries.

Hill caught three passes for 123 yards and a score.

1 2 3 4 F

Blf 21 20 7 0 48

FtL 0 7 0 6 13

Team stats and notes

Bluffton amassed 413 yards on 33 plays, an average of 12.5 yards per snap. FL compiled 216 yards on 54 plays for 4.0 yards per snap.

The Pirates compiled 11 first downs, while the Redskins moved the chains 16 times. Bluffton netted 280 rushing yards compared to 152 run yards by FL.

The Pirates amassed 133 yards aerially, while the Redskins threw for just 64 yards.

Bluffton was flagged twice for 15 yards. The Redskins committed two penalties for 12 yards.

Ft. Loramie committed one turnover, while Bluffton was error-less.

The Pirates were 4-6 on third down and 0-0 on fourth, while the Redskins were on 2-9 third down and 0-2 on fourth.

Dylan Painter made five solo tackles and five assists. He also had a sack. Giesige contributed an interception, five assists and three solo stops. Brody Schneck had a sack.

Lleyton Miller contributed three solo tackles. Zayden Morales and Sawyer Bowling were each in on six assisted stops.   

Bluffton improved from ninth to fifth in the tough Div. V, Region 18 computer ratings after the convincing road win.

GROVE SHOWDOWN FRIDAY
Once again, Bluffton hosts rival Columbus Grove (8-1, 5-1 NWC) Friday, Oct. 23 in the regular season finale with league title implications and playoff positioning on the line. 

CG is tied with the Pirates for second in the NWC at 5-1, a game behind Lima Central Catholic (6-0). Columbus Grove shellacked Crestview Friday, 56-24. 

The Grove/Pirate winner will clinch at least second place outright, and also has a chance to share the NWC title with LCC if they stumble in week 10.

The Thunderbirds walloped winless Spencerville 42-0 Friday to stay undefeated and atop the league. LCC will be heavily favored to beat 2-7 Crestview (2-4 NWC) in their finale at home to clinch the outright league title, with or without injured QB Brady Parker. 

The T-Birds won at Grove 13-6 in week four, and nipped the Pirates 26-21 in week seven at Bluffton to earn first place.