By Levi Klingler
Breaking three records in a single game, Ada running back Kellen Decker was the man of the hour following the Bulldogs' latest outing against conference rival Bluffton - an outing that, for the second time in three weeks, was postponed to Saturday by officials on Friday night after lightning was sighted.
Round one of the two-day encounter began at Harmon Field in Bluffton, with the second day's events taking place in Bulldog country at War Memorial Stadium (due to the shabby state that Friday night's weather had left Harmon Field in). Ada defeated the Pirates 53-29, putting Ada at 5-0 (3-0 NWC) and the Pirates at 2-3 (1-2 NWC).
In an outcome that has become all too familiar this season, Ada won the toss and elected to receive. Matt Wilcox returned the opening kickoff to the Bulldogs' 21 yard line to start Ada's first drive of the night. This drive lasted a mere 43 seconds, as Decker scored on the third play of the possession with a 42-yard run. Hunter Waller kicked the extra point, giving the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 11:17 remaining in the first quarter.
Rain began to fall prior to the start of the match, and the continual effect that it would have on the game became evident early on as Bluffton's kick returner muffed the ball on the following kickoff. He would be downed on the Pirates' 10 yard line by freshman Blake Ansley of Ada, giving the Pirates not-so-ideal field position to start their first drive.
Two plays into said drive, senior defensive back Micah Roberson of Ada picked off a pass intended for a Bluffton receiver and ran it back 20 yards for a Bulldog touchdown. Waller's kick was good, putting the Bulldogs ahead 14-0 less than 2 minutes into the game.
Ada forced Bluffton to punt on their next drive, which Bluffton fielded on Ada's 29 yard line. On the first play of the drive, senior quarterback Mason Acheson handed the ball off to Decker. He promptly busted the run outside to the sideline, taking the ball 71 yards downfield to the end zone for Ada's third touchdown. Waller's kick was good, making it 21-0, Ada.
The Bulldog defense forced another punt, setting themselves up to score once more. This time, it would be by Roberson on a 27-yard pass from Acheson. The extra point, however, would be no good, leaving the score at 27-0.
Bluffton failed to convert on fourth down the following series, but would pick off their first pass of the night from Acheson the next play. However, this defensive feat on Bluffton's part would be to no avail, as Ada's defense held the Pirates three-and-out following the interception, forcing them to punt.
Yet again, Bluffton would pick off another pass from Acheson, this time on the eighth play of the drive around midfield. And this time, Bluffton's defensive efforts would be rewarded, as they would score on this drive, making it 27-7 with 8:24 remaining in the half.
Following back-to-back forced punts, on the first play of their subsequent drive, Decker would score again for Ada on a 62-yard run. Waller would fail to convert the extra point again, making it 33-7 with 4:07 to go in the half.
Bluffton's following drive would end on the fourth play as Wilcox intercepted a pass intended for a Pirate. The Bulldogs ran the clock out with a steady ground game to end the half.
On the second play of their starting possession of the next half, Bluffton would score on an out-and-up pass to a Pirate receiver, who took the ball the rest of nearly 60 yards to the end zone. This put the score at 33-14.
The Pirates then forced the Bulldogs to punt on their next possession, and immediately following the punt, a flash illuminated the night sky.
Once again, lightning had reared its ugly head on the Bulldogs' 2012 season.
Within minutes, officials postponed the game to the following afternoon at 1:30 p.m. It was decided that this round of play would take place in Ada, due to the sloppy state that the downpour of the first half had left Harmon Field in.
Starting with 8:30 to go in the third quarter, game play reconvened the next day at War Memorial Stadium under a clear, sunny sky. Bluffton began on offense to start the second round. Three plays into their drive, however, junior linebacker Luke Long-Green of Ada intercepted a pass and ran the ball 40 yards for a Bulldog touchdown.
Due to a snap gone wrong on the extra point, Waller opted to roll out and throw to Long in a 2-point conversion attempt. The pass, however, would not be caught, leaving the score at 39-14 with 7:28 to go in the third.
Eight plays later, Bluffton would culminate their following drive with a 30-yard pass to a Bluffton receiver in Ada's end zone. The Pirates' PAT was good, making it 39-21 with 4:08 left in the period.
Ada needed five plays to put them within 5 yards of the end zone on their next drive. On the sixth play, Decker carried the ball on a sweep to the right for the remaining 5 yards needed, scoring his fourth touchdown. This time, Waller was able to make the extra point, finally ending a nasty three-score no-PAT streak. This put the score at 46-21, Ada.
The last score of the game would come by none other than Decker, once again on a run. This tackle busting run went 39-yards up the gut, right through a pile of Pirate defenders. Waller's PAT was good, making it 53-21 with 11:09 remaining in the fourth.
Bluffton was able to score once more, this time under the reins of their second team offense against Ada's second team defense with 3:35 remaining in the game. A quick out was caught by a Bluffton receiver to convert 2 points, putting the score at 53-29, where the score would remain until the end of the game.
Decker broke three Ada high school football records by the end of the two-day skirmish: first, the record for career rushing yards, then the record for single game rushing yards, followed by the career rushing touchdowns record at Ada. Decker ran for 329 yards on 17 carries with 5 scores.
Acheson was 11-for-16 passing, throwing for 171 yards and 1 touchdown. Roberson caught 5 passes for 66 yards and 1 score, as well as a score off of an interception. Long-Green also returned an interception for a score. Blake Ansley led the Bulldogs defensively with 10 solo tackles and 4 assists for a total of 14 tackles. Waller and sophomore defensive lineman Lane Nitchie each had a pair of sacks.
Ada travels to Paulding Friday, Sept. 28, to face the 0-5 Panthers in a conference match.
