Story by Dusty Donley - photos by Cort Reynolds
More photos and box score at bottom of story -
The Shawn Christopher era as head coach of the Ada football program got off to a great start last Friday night as the Bulldogs defeated rival Upper Scioto Valley 30-16. First-year Sophomore quarterback Brandon Hull accounted for three scores in the win, which moved Ada to 1-0 on the season.
The Bulldogs got on the board early when dual-threat QB Hull capped a solid 61-yard drive with a 27-yard quarterback keeper. The extra point attempt was no good, leaving Ada with a 6-0 lead with just under ten minutes to play in the first quarter.
The Rams would respond on the ensuing drive as quarterback Quinn Sanders connected with J.J. Overs on a short screen. The hard-running Overs would rumble 29 yards for the USV score. The duo would trade places on the following two-point conversion as Overs would connect with Sanders to give the Rams an 8-6 lead with 8:25 remaining in the first quarter.
Hull and the Ada offense would again find success as they marched down the field on their next drive, using a mix of both the run and pass. On fourth and one at the USV 11, Hull would again call his own number, slicing and dicing his way for the 11-yard Bulldog score. Hull would connect with Phillip Coulson for a successful two-point conversion, putting Ada back in front, 14-8 with 5:46 left in the first quarter.
Penalties and solid defense from both sides stymied the offensive fireworks in the second quarter. Neither team found the end zone until late in the period when Hull completed a 25-yard strike to Coulson. Hull would use his legs on the ensuing two-point conversion, extending the Bulldog lead to 22-8, which they would take into the half time locker room.
Sanders and the Ram offense would enter the second half looking to chip away at the Ada lead. A long Sanders pass to Jackson Rohrs set up a five-yard Sanders quarterback keeper. A J.J. Overs to Rohrs two-point conversion shrunk the Ada lead to 22-16 with 6:22 to play in the third quarter.
With only six points separating them, both defenses stepped up to make big stops over the remainder of the game. Ultimately, the Rams would make a critical error midway through the fourth quarter, as a bad snap was recovered by junior Dylan East, ending a promising USV drive. Moments later, junior Landon Blankenship would score on a 12-yard run, ending any hope of a Ram comeback. Brandon Hull would connect with Brad Clum for a successful two-point conversion, giving Ada a 30-16 lead, which would be your final score.
The Bulldog offense outgained the Rams 363 yards to 329. The Rams had more success through the air, throwing for 217 yards to Ada’s 162, but the Bulldogs had the advantage on the ground, rushing for 201 yards to USV’s 112.
Brandon Hull would finish the game 18 of 35 for 162 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He would also add 87 yards on the ground and two scores.
Landon Blankenship led the backs with 112 yards on the ground and a score. Phillip Coulson led the receivers with 9 grabs for 97 yards and a score.
The Bulldogs will face the visiting Arlington Red Devils (1-0) this Friday night at War Memorial Stadium. Arlington is coming off a 40-7 victory over Riverdale.
