Bluffton’s Griffin Stackhouse runs while Delphos Jefferson’s Luke Rode hangs on during Saturday’s game at Stadium Park in Delphos.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
DELPHOS — Perhaps the biggest surprise of Bluffton’s 52-7 win over Delphos Jefferson on Saturday afternoon is the fact that Bluffton’s defense allowed a touchdown.
That’s only happened twice this season, against the Wildcats (1-3, 0-1 NWC) at Stadium Park, and last week in a 63-7 win over Ayersville.
To this point in the season, the Pirates (4-0, 1-0 NWC) have outscored their opponents 207-17, and they’ve hung their hat on having one of the area’s top defenses.
“Our defense takes pride in being disciplined and they take pride in setting the tone for the rest of the team,” said Bluffton coach Jeff Richards. “Our focus is to play responsibility football and they do a great job communication-wise. I credit my staff for that. They do an amazing job making sure the kids are ready and that they understand their roles.”
Bluffton’s defense forced six punts and three turnovers, two of them were courtesy of Gabe Meza, who recovered a fumble and made a second-quarter interception.
“He’s a senior that’s worked really hard for four years and he’s emerging as an important player on our defense,” Richards said of Meza. “Last year we graduated some really good outside linebackers and he’s stepped in and done an amazing job.”
Bluffton scored 49 of its 52 points in the first half, including a 35-point second quarter.
Quarterback Tayte Giesige had an impressive 75-yard touchdown run on the second play of the game. He finished the afternoon with 89 rushing yards on three carries.
Giesige also completed 9 of his 11 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns. In the second quarter, he found Griffin Stackhouse for a 61-yard touchdown.
Stackhouse scored three times in the win. Twice on receptions (22 and 61 yards) and once more on a 12-yard run. Stackhouse had 143 all-purpose yards in the win.
“We have a lot of speed and a lot of guys that are really good in the open field so we like to find ways get them in space and see what they can do but we also want to be consistent in what we do,” Richards said. “We want balance. Being able to throw the ball is big for us.”
Landen Worcester and Parker Beam split time in the backfield, combining for 83 yards. Worcester scored twice in the second quarter.
Delphos Jefferson was limited to 40 yards in the first half. They scored with 0:55 left on the fourth quarter’s running clock when Karder Agner found Luke Rode in the endzone on a 20-yard strike.
Agner went 12 for 22 in the loss for 82 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He found Rode five times for 52 yards and ran for 61 yards on nine carries.
Bluffton topped Delphos Jefferson in total yards 486-148.
In Week 5, Delphos Jefferson visits Columbus Grove (4-0, 1-0 NWC), while Bluffton hosts Spencerville (3-1, 0-1 NWC).
Score by quarters
Bluffton 14 35 0 3 – 52
Delphos Jefferson 0 0 0 7 – 7
Scoring Summary
BL — Tayte Giesige 75-yard run (Jackson Brauen kick) — 11:16, 1st
BL — Griffin Stackhouse 12-yard run (Jackson Brauen kick) — 3:54, 1st
BL — Griffin Stackhouse 61-yard reception from Tayte Giesige (Jackson Brauen kick) — 11:23, 2nd
BL — Landen Worcester 8-yard run (Jackson Brauen kick) — 7:51, 2nd
BL — Landen Worcester 1-yard run (Jackson Brauen kick) — 5:22, 2nd
BL — Griffin Stackhouse 22-yard reception from Tayte Giesige (Jackson Brauen kick) — 4:02, 2nd
BL — Brody Anderson 30-yard reception from Tayte Giesige (Jackson Brauen kick) — 2:06, 2nd
BL — Jackson Brauen 17-yard field goal —5:52, 4th
DJ — Luke Rode 29-yard reception from Karder Agner (Braxton Hurles kick) — 0:55, 4th
Passing
BL — Tayte Giesige 9/11, 188 yards, 3 TDs
DJ — Karder Agner 12/22, 82 yards, TD, INT
Rushing
BL — Tayte Giesige 3 carries, 89 yards, TD
DJ — Karder Agner 9 carries, 61 yards
Receiving
BL — Griffin Stackhouse 4 receptions, 112 yards, 2 TDs
DJ — Luke Rode 5 receptions, 52 yards, TD
Total yards
BL — 486
DJ — 148
Reach Chris Howell at 567-242-0468 or on Twitter/X at @Lima_Howell
