{"id":41975,"date":"2026-11-07T11:42:57","date_gmt":"2026-11-07T16:42:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/?p=41975"},"modified":"2026-11-07T11:42:58","modified_gmt":"2026-11-07T16:42:58","slug":"cooper-craig-runs-over-patriots-leading-title-hopeful-bluffton-to-third-title-in-five-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/2026\/11\/07\/cooper-craig-runs-over-patriots-leading-title-hopeful-bluffton-to-third-title-in-five-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Cooper Craig runs over Patriots, leading title-hopeful Bluffton to third title in five years"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>DANE FUELLING<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>WZBD.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bluffton scored on the opening drive of the game and held ACAC rival Heritage to just 127 yards of offense as they emerged from the tough sectional 27 bracket as the victor Friday, beating the Patriots, 25-7, to advance to next week&#8217;s regional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/06novBluffDaneWrap.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Dane Fuelling, August Fuelling and Derek Trobeck recap the Bluffton victory in the sectional title game.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bluffton came into the game heavy favorites after shutting out the Patriots in the regular season meeting between the two teams. For the Patriots to stay in the game, they were going to need to not let Bluffton gain an early lead and play mistake-free football. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sodahouseordering.square.site\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/WZBD-Curbside-8.26.png?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-38121\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/WZBD-Curbside-8.26.png?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/WZBD-Curbside-8.26.png?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/WZBD-Curbside-8.26.png?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/WZBD-Curbside-8.26.png?w=1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/WZBD-Curbside-8.26.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This held true, and it was a mistake by the visitors that ultimately led to the home Tigers taking an early lead that they never relinquished. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"233\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nov7th2026.jpg?resize=640%2C233&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41958\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nov7th2026.jpg?resize=1024%2C373&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nov7th2026.jpg?resize=300%2C109&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nov7th2026.jpg?resize=768%2C280&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nov7th2026.jpg?w=1099&amp;ssl=1 1099w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Coach Dan Waslyk&#8217;s defense came up with a big stop on third down on Bluffton&#8217;s opening drive and the Tigers decided to call time out to decide what to do on fourth down. Coming out of the talk with coach Kunkel, the Tigers were able to draw Heritage offside for a new set of downs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"WZBD Football SECTIONAL- Heritage at Bluffton, 11\/6\/26\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3aLblYGjcXM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Up to that point, Heritage had held Cooper Craig to just four yards on four carries, but his next touch was a 12-yard touchdown run and the home fans, bundled up and wet from a downpour during the first drive, had something to celebrate with a 7-0 lead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Patriots found success on their first possession, but they fumbled a snap and a handoff on third and fourth down, respectively, in Bluffton territory, to stall their progression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bluffton gave Heritage a chance to get back into the game with an immediate fumble, recovered by Zeb Tigulis, who had just fumbled himself on fourth down. That drive also stalled on a fourth down try at midfield and Bluffton&#8217;s next possession gobbled up the rest of the first half, ending with a 24-yard field goal by Ethan Ribich. A clock-keeping mistake may have given Bluffton the extra second they needed to make it a two-score game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Honegger Bluffton MR P Kitchen Remodel\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lywWIi9Ef4U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Mr. Planners in Decatur is proud to sponsor sports coverage on WZBD.com!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Patriots went into halftime with confidence, knowing they had the ball to start the second half, but the Bluffton defense showed up, forcing a three and out, and Craig made the visitors pay with a 56-yard run on the second play of the ensuing drive. Bluffton faked the PAT and Ribich completed the two-point try with a pass to Gavin Grieser to make it 18-0. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image0-28.jpeg?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41977\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image0-28-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image0-28-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image0-28-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image0-28-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image0-28-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image0-28-scaled.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image0-28-scaled.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The two teams shake hands at the end of an excellent game of postseason football. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Forcing the Patriots to punt on their next possession, Bluffton looked to have sealed the victory up, but a poor decision to field a punt led to a recovery by Heritage and a renewed possession. Lucas Taylor, who had just 15 yards up to that point on the ground, rumbled 48 yards to put the Patriots in the red zone and Jax Litchfield made it an 18-7 game with a two-yard score. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two teams traded punts and as the game drew on, Heritage was forced to throw the ball, but they did so unsuccessfully, finishing the contest with no completions on six attempts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Tigers celebrated a late score with Craig scoring for the third time to cap a 145-yard night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bluffton had a total of 149 yards on the ground, while Axton Beste finished 14 for 18 with 159 yards passing in an outstanding performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Tigers will have to hit the road in the regional, where they&#8217;ll take on Hamilton Heights on November 13th. They&#8217;ll have a 50\/50 chance to host a semi-state game if they can beat the Huskies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Coach Kunkel&#8217;s team remains the odds-on favorite to hoist the 3A state championship trophy, according to John Harrell, the state&#8217;s leading football prognosticator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SCORING SUMMARY<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Quarter One<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">5:13 &#8211; B &#8211; Cooper Craig 12-yard run, Ethan Ribich PAT Good, 7-0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Quarter Two<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">:07 &#8211; B &#8211; Ethan Ribich 24-yard field goal, 10-0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Quarter Three<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">9:20 &#8211; B &#8211; Cooper Craig 56-yard run, Ribich PAT pass to Gavin Grieser good, 18-0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3:06 &#8211; H &#8211; Jax Litchfield 2-yard run, Mo Siddiq good, 18-7<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Quarter Four<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3:07 &#8211; B &#8211; Cooper Craig 4-yard run, Ribich PAT good, 25-7<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DANE FUELLING WZBD.com Bluffton scored on the opening drive of the game and held ACAC rival Heritage to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":41977,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"You'll continue to hear Bluffton football via WZBD next week as the Tigers look to win their first regional since 1988 on the road!","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[52,15,54,51,26],"class_list":["post-41975","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-bluffton","tag-featured","tag-football","tag-heritage","tag-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image0-28-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1920&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41975","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41975"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41975\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41978,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41975\/revisions\/41978"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41977"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41975"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41975"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41975"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}