Bluffton’s Quinn Eachus has 10 catches for 172 yards this season.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
Lima Central Catholic coach Scott Palte said it best heading into his team’s matchup against Bluffton.
“Bluffton is really good in all areas of the game. They have dominated their first five opponents,” he said. “They have playmakers at every position and are physical up front. They can beat you in many different ways.”
It’s no secret that Bluffton (5-0, 2-0 Northwest Conference) has been remarkable over the first half of the season, but outside of a Week 1 loss to Shawnee, LCC (4-1, 2-0 NWC) has won four straight games, making this a matchup between two of the top three teams in the Northwest Conference standings.
Bluffton, ranked No. 5 in Division VI in this week’s Associated Press state poll, enters Friday night on the heels of a 55-7 victory over Spencerville in Week 4. All five of Bluffton’s wins this season have come by 42 points or more. The Pirates have outscored their opponents 262-24, allowing seven points each of the last three weeks after giving up a field goal to Benjamin Logan and shutting out Pandora-Gilboa.
Quarterback Tayte Giesige, wide receiver Griffin Stackhouse and running backs Parker Lovell and Landen Worcester have been at the forefront of an offense that’s gained 2,254 total yards, the top mark in the conference.
“They have so many skilled athletes, it is a challenge to contain them,” Palte said of the Pirates. “We have to find a way to prevent the big plays on defense.”
Giesige has completed 41 of 61 passes for 765 yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception. Stackhouse has been his favorite target with 15 receptions for 382 yards and eight touchdowns.
The running game has been more of a collective effort between Giesige (31 carries, 309 yards, 7 TDs), Lovell (36 carries, 434 yards, 7 TDs) and Worcester (31 carries, 296 yards, 5 TDs). The Pirates average a conference-best 286 yards per game on the ground.
On defense, Bluffton limited opponents to 135 yards per game and forced 11 turnovers, including six interceptions from six different players.
“On defense, they really get to the ball, and they’re always in position,” Palte said. “They make you earn every yard. They’re just a really well-coached football team in all areas. We are going to have to eliminate the mental mistakes and play our best game to have a chance at winning on Friday.”
LCC, ranked No. 10 in Division VII in this week’s Associated Press state poll, took down Fort Loramie 28-21 on the road in Week 4.
Quarterback Brady Parker went 5 for 11 for 74 yards, two touchdowns and his first interception since Week 1 in the win. Parker’s first-half numbers are 37 of 69 for 625 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions with 280 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
In its four wins, LCC has leaned heavily on the run game, namely Matthew Quatman, who’s rushed for over 100 yards each of the last four weeks. He has 95 carries on the season for 582 yards and six touchdowns.
“Coach Palte and his staff do a great job preparing their athletes from week to week, and they seem to be getting better with every game,” Bluffton coach Jeff Richards said of the Thunderbirds. “They have dynamic speed and a number of players who can create problems in space, along with a good-sized group up front.”
Palte said it’s important that LCC creates “chunk plays” because it’s difficult to consistently piece together long drives against Bluffton.
When it’s not a Matthew Quatman run, Parker likes to spread the ball out in the passing game. Five different T-Birds have a receiving touchdown, a group that includes Matthew Quatman (5 catches, 137 yards, TD), Michael Quatman (8 catches, 145 yards, 2 TDs), Lausen Flores (6 catches, 104 yards, TD), Mylon Cowens (10 receptions, 175 yards, 2 TDs) and Dakota Gerdemann (2 catches, 9 yards, TD).
“LCC’s offense is very talented with a good amount of size and athleticism,” Richards said. “We will need to play very disciplined and responsibility-focused football to come out with a victory on Friday night.”
LCC has the second-best run defense in the NWC, allowing just 115 yards per game along with the second-worst pass defense in the conference at 167 yards per game.
The T-Birds have forced 10 turnovers, including two interceptions from Michael Quatman.
Friday night’s meeting between LCC and Bluffton is the first since Oct. 18, 2013, a 17-14 win for the T-Birds.
Reach Chris Howell at 567-242-0468 or on Twitter/X at @Lima_Howell
