Yappi
Go Buckeyes
Bluffton Pirates
Head Coach: Jeff Richards
Years Head Coach (current school): 8
Record (current school): 29-40
Years Head Coach (overall): 8
Record (overall): 29-40
Assistant Coaches:
Jason Diller
Jason Granger
Ryan Aelker
Brad Jones
Denny Phillips
Zac Kohli
Bryan Lloyd
Record last season: 5/5 (League 4-3)
League Affiliation: Northwest Conference
Team's style of offense: Multiple Formation Spread
Top players returning on offense:
Braeden Jordan SR WR (2nd Team All-NWC WR, HM All-District Div 5 WR 2022)
Hayden Dearth SR ATH/LB(HM All-NWC WR, HM All-District Div 5 WR)
Gavin Bogart SR ATH/DB (HM All-NWC RB 2022)
Jacob Granger SR OL/DL(2nd Team All-NWC OL, HM All-District Div 5 OL 2022)
Landen Worcester JR RB/LB(2nd Team All-NWC RB,)
Garret Bogart SR QB/DB(HM All-NWC QB 2022)
Top players lost on offense:
Landon Shutler RB (Plans to play at Capital University)
New impact players on offense:
Brody Sommers JR OL
Tayte Giesige FR QB
Lleyton Miller FR ATH
Mason Shank FR TE
Team's style of defense: 3-4
Top players returning on defense:
Braeden Jordan SR DB (HM All-NWC DB 2022)
Preston Laytart SR DL (HM All-NWC DL 2022)
Marco Eiden SR DL(HM All-NWC DL 2022)
Quinn Eachus JR DB (2nd Team All-NWC DB, HM All-District Div 5 DB 2022)
Landen Worcester JR LB (2nd Team All-NWC LB, HM All-District Div 5 LB 2022)
Top players lost on defense:
Kameron Coughlan LB (2nd Team All-NWC LB 2022)
Xavier Luginbuhl DL (2nd Team All-NWC DL 2022)
Landon Shutler DB (HM All-NWC DB 2022)
New impact players on defense:
Noah Bricker JR LB
Javen Crawfis SO DB
Eli Jones SO DB
Expected starters on special teams:
Kyle Basil SR Kicker/Punter (HM All-District Div 5 Specialist 2022)
Twitter:
@JeffRichardsBHS
Final Comments:
WHAT WE DO WELL: __This is the largest roster that Bluffton has fielded in a very long time. We have been in a triple option-based offense for 6 years, but will be adding a more balanced approach in the run and pass game this season. Offensively we will be anchored by a veteran offensive line and a number of dynamic skill players such as Hayden Dearth, Braeden Jordan, and Gavin Bogart. Defensively we return Junior All-District linebacker Landen Worcester, who totaled over 100 tackles in each of his two previous seasons, and also a veteran defensive line. Quinn Eachus was also an All-District defensive back in 2022. Athletically we have one of the faster teams that Bluffton has fielded in a long time, with many of our players competing at a high level in track & field/baseball this past spring. We only graduated 5 seniors from the 2022 team, so experience is definitely a strength.
WHAT WE NEED TO WORK ON: _Depth is always a concern at specific positions. We moved to a 3-4 defense from a 4-2-5 in 2022, and saw positive results. That being said, the defense is still new to the players so consistency is key. We bring in a talented group of freshmen this season who will push the older players daily and will aide with our depth concerns.
