Leonardo
BLUFFTON — A fumble recovery in the end zone proved to be the difference as Delphos Jefferson stopped Bluffton 19-15 in a Northwest Conference game Friday night at Harmon Field.
Bluffton (1-2 overall, 0-1 NWC) led the entire contest until Jacob Leach’s touchdown with 2:33 left in the third quarter.
Christian Koch booted a 31-yard field goal to open the scoring. Jesse Gudakunst scored on a 3-yard run and Hunter Joseph fired a 4-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Siefker to give the Pirates a 15-7 lead.
Delphos Jefferson quarterback Jesse Cano, who fired a 52-yard scoring strike to Mitchell Antalis earlier in the game, hooked up with Nick Cook on a 25-yard touchdown pass with 1:01 left until the break to close the gap to 15-13 at halftime.
Bluffton had trouble moving the football as the Pirates picked up just 13 yards rushing and 90 passing.
Delphos Jefferson (2-1, 2-0) gained 119 yards on the ground and 133 through the air. Curtis Miller rushed for 77 yards on 18 carries to lead the Wildcats.