NWC Championship
Bluffton vs Columbus Grove – Friday October 25th, 2024
The Northwest Conference Championship game between the undefeated Columbus Grove Bulldogs and Bluffton Pirates promises to be a thrilling contest between two of Northwest Ohio’s top high school football teams. Both squads enter the matchup with identical 9-0 records and 6-0 conference marks. This rivalry continues to heat up as the squads faced off twice last year with a lot on the line. Last year the teams met in week 10 for a winner take all NWC Championship game with both teams 6-0 in conference play. Grove won that game 14-7. Four weeks later, the teams met again in the Division 6 Region 22 Regional Championship, with Grove again coming out on top 17-10. This year, with Columbus Grove bumping down to Division 7 there is no chance for a potential rematch, thus making this a one time shot for the Pirates to finally knock off the Bulldogs as Columbus Grove has now won 7 straight games against Bluffton.
Bluffton, the offensive juggernaut of the conference, has been nothing short of dominant this season. The Pirates have racked up an astonishing 424 points, averaging 47.1 points per game, making them the highest-scoring team in the Northwest Conference. On the other side of the ball, their defense has been impenetrable, allowing just 59 points across nine games, an average of 6.6 points per game, the best in the conference. Bluffton’s offensive firepower is led by quarterback Tayte Giesige, who has passed for 1,211 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just 1 interception with a stellar 64.4% completion rate. Complimenting him is a potent ground game, headlined by Parker Lovell, who has rushed for 655 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging a remarkable 9.6 yards per carry. Receiver Griffin Stackhouse adds a deep threat, with 583 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on just 22 catches, averaging 26.5 yards per reception.
Columbus Grove enters the game with equally impressive credentials, with a slightly different approach. The Bulldogs have scored 379 points, averaging 42.1 points per game, placing them right behind Bluffton in offensive production. Defensively, they rank second in the conference, allowing 107 points (11.9 points per game). The heart of the Bulldogs’ offense is running back Trenton Barraza, who has rushed for an eye-popping 1,481 yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging 8.7 yards per carry and 164.6 rushing yards per game. Wide receiver Trevon Baxter has been a key target in the passing game, amassing 464 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, while kicker Evan Verhoff has contributed 57 points.
Both teams are ranked highly in their respective playoff regions—Bluffton at No. 2 in Division VI, Region 22, and Columbus Grove at No. 1 in Division VII, Region 26. Columbus Grove has already solidified the #1 seed regardless of the outcome of this week 10 matchup. However, a win by Bluffton and loss by Hopewell-Loudon could potentially move the Pirates up to the #1 seed in their region.
According to Drew Pasteur’s Fantastic 50, Bluffton holds a slight edge heading into the contest, thanks to their balanced attack and solid defensive play. However, with both teams performing at such a high level, the outcome is anything but certain. Fans can expect a hard-fought game, with the Bulldogs looking to capitalize on their ground game and the Pirates hoping to unleash their high-flying offense with dynamic Quarterback Tayte Giesige and speedster Wide Receiver Griffin Stackhouse. In short, the Northwest Conference Championship is set to be a battle for the ages, with everything from conference pride to playoff positioning hanging in the balance.
-David Mansell