BLUFFTON — Bluffton bounced back in a big way Friday night, outlasting Crestview 49-34 in a high-scoring battle of Northwest Conference rivals.

The Pirates (5-1, 3-1 NWC) relied on their playmakers to respond after Crestview (3-3, 3-1 NWC) cut into the deficit multiple times. Senior running back Braxton Leeth sparked the Knights with a 37-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to make it 28-21, and later added another score to pull Crestview within 35-27.

But Bluffton had answers each time. Junior Tayte Giesge’s explosive run set up Parker Lovell’s seven-yard touchdown plunge, giving the Pirates breathing room. Then in the fourth, Giesge connected with Lovell through the air to put the game out of reach.

Bluffton’s win came after back-to-back shutouts of Crestview in the last two seasons, extending the Pirates’ edge in the rivalry.

The Pirates will look to build on the momentum as they continue their push in NWC play, while the Knights showed resiliency but couldn’t overcome Bluffton’s offensive firepower.

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