In a game chock full of touchdowns that seemingly were always answered by the other team, it was a field goal that ultimately separated the Bluffton Tigers from the South Adams Starfires Friday night in the ACAC opener for both teams, as the host Tigers scored last with 36 seconds remaining to capture a thrilling 44-41.
“You can’t win ballgames when you turn the ball over on the first offensive play you have of both halves,” said SA head coach Grant Moser on the WZBD Saturday morning coaches show, lamenting the rough start his team had on both sides of halftime.
That opening turnover, one of five committed by the visitors on the night, led to a short, 22-yard field goal by Ethan Ribich.
It seemed like one team or the other led by three points for the remainder of the game.
“I hate throwing the ball 60 times a game,” admitted coach Moser on Saturday morning, “but we just had to stay in that game. Bluffton is such a well-coached team and when you give them points directly from turnovers, it’s just hard to beat a team like that.”
Tytus Lehman completed 41 of 60 passes for 434 yards, with all six scores coming via the pass. Four different receivers found the end zone, with Will Patterson and Derek McKean scoring twice.
McKean had 191 yards receiving with a wild 16 receptions. Wes Summersett had 11 catches for 148 yards.
Summersett and Kaleb Minger led the defense with seven tackles each.
Will Patterson had 43 of the Stars’ 44 yards rushing.
South Adams did not punt in the game.
SCORING SUMMARY
Quarter 1
4:51 – B – Ethan Ribich 22-yd Field Goal, 3-0
1:08 – SA – Gavin Herring 1-yd reception from Tytus Lehman, Juarez PAT good, 3-7
Quarter 2
8:41 – B – Trey Bustos 31-yd reception from Axton Beste, Ribich PAT good, 10-7
3:03 – SA – Jax Wanner 12-yd reception from Tytus Lehman, Juarez PAT good, 10-14
:43 – SA – Derek McKean 35-yd reception from Tytus Lehman, Juarez PAT good, 10-21
:00 – B – Aaron Streveler 22-yd reception from Axton Beste, Ribich PAT good, 17-21
Quarter 3
10:33 – B – Cooper Craig 1-yd run, Ribich PAT good, 24-21
6:32 – B – Cooper Craig 29-yd run, Ribich PAT good, 31-21
3:10 – SA – Will Patterson 21-yd reception from Tytus Lehman, Juarez PAT good, 31-28
0:01 – B – Axton Beste 2-yd run, Ribich PAT good, 38-28
Quarter 4
8:49 – SA – Will Patterson 12-yd reception from Ty Lehman, PAT conversion failed, 38-34
3:28 – SA – Derek McKean 9-yd reception from Ty Lehman, Juarez PAT good, 38-41
0:36 – B – Aaron Streveler 22-yd reception from Axton Beste, Ribich PAT no good, 44-41
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