By Levi Klingler
Last Friday night, the Ada Bulldogs faced what many considered to be their first challenge of the season against the playoff bid hopeful Crestview Knights in a Homecoming game hampered by nasty weather and less than ideal field conditions.
PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF STORY
Nonetheless, the Bulldogs were able to pull away with a glorious 26-21 victory in the closing minutes of the thrilling barn burner, putting the Bulldogs at 7-0 (5-0 NWC) and the Knights at 3-4 (1-4 NWC).
Crestview started with the ball on offense, driving the length of the field and looking ready to score, when junior defensive back Matthew Wilcox of Ada came to the Bulldogs' rescue with an interception within 10 yards of the end zone.
Wilcox sprinted down the sidelines, running all the way to the Knights' 2 yard line, where he regrettably gave the ball back to Crestview by way of a fumble. "Nobody knocked the ball loose," said Wilcox after the game. "The ball just popped out, I wasn't holding it exactly right as I switched hands."
Starting with the ball again, this time from inside their own 5, the Knights trudged all the way downfield once more, where they were eventually faced with a 4th and goal situation at the Bulldog's 9 yard line. Conversion was essential.
Failing to complete at pass, they were unable to do convert. But moments after Crestview's pass fell incomplete, a flag was thrown calling for pass interference on Ada. This gave the Knights an automatic first down, and two plays later, they would score. The PAT was good, making it 7-0, Crestview. Having had possession of the ball for nearly two lengths of the field, the Knights had ran the clock down to 2:05 left in the first quarter before Ada even saw the ball on offense.
Crestview would force Ada to punt, but their efforts on the subsequent drive would be quelled by Wilcox with another interception. This time, the Bulldogs would score on a 34 run by senior running back Kellen Decker. Hunter Waller's extra point was good, tying it up 7-7 with 10:31 remaining in the half.
This score would be answered by Crestview on the following drive, this time on a pass on 4th and 3. With the extra point that pursued, this made it 14-7, Crestview, 7:09 to go in the half.
The next score would be on another 4th down conversion, this time by Ada on a pass to senior receiver Brenden Szippl from the Knights' 14 yard line. Szippl was not only able to get the first, but continued weaving in and out of defenders as he hugged the sideline on his way to paydirt for his first touchdown of the season. Waller's PAT would be good, tying the score at 14-14 with 1:11 left in the half.
The rest of the half remained scoreless. Ada began on offense to start the second half, ending their drive three plays in on a fumble by senior quarterback Mason Acheson on the Bulldogs' own 29 yard line. This gave Crestview tremendous field position.
A few plays in, Crestview had the ball on Ada's 6 yard line. Just as it looked as though the Knights would score to go ahead, senior defensive back Micah Roberson made a diving interception to give the Bulldogs the ball back at their own 20.
Four forced punts, one failed fourth down conversion, and one fumble recovery later, Ada found themselves with the ball on the Knights' 7 yard line. Two plays later, Decker punched it in for 6. Waller's PAT would be no good, however, making it 20-14 with 9:24 remaining in the last quarter of play.
Crestview would be quick to respond, scoring in only 4 plays on a 37 yard pass. Incidentally, their point after would be good, giving them a 1 point lead with a score of 21-20. With only 7:18 left to play, Ada would have to score while managing the clock wisely so as not to prevent themselves from being able to score again if need be.
On the first play of the next drive, Acheson threw a bubble screen to Decker from their own 31 yard line, which Decker immediately took to the sideline, and then to the house. The Bulldogs opted to go for 2 to make it a 7 point lead, but fell short on an incomplete pass, leaving the score at 26-21 with 6:53 remaining.
Ada would force the Knights to punt with 4:36 to go, but then would go three-and-out and have to punt themselves, giving Crestview the ball with just over 2 minutes on the clock at their own 30. Quick pressure on the quarterback led to an incomplete pass on 1st down. On 2nd down, sophomore defensive tackle Noah Beach sacked Crestview's quarterback for a loss of 9. Then, to seal his team's victory, on 3rd and 19, Roberson would make his second pick of the night, taking the ball all the way to the Bulldogs' 15.
From there, with only 1:10 remaining in the game and Crestview having only one timeout to burn, Acheson took three knees, bringing the game to a satisfying close.
Acheson led with a 13-for-24 passing performance, throwing for 215 yards and 3 touchdowns. Decker ran for 105 yards on 21 carries, caught 3 passes for 78 yards, and scored twice. Roberson and Szippl each had a score, having 38 and 16 yards on the night, respectively.
Defensively, Ansley led with a total of 16 tackles, and Roberson and Wilcox had two interceptions apiece.
Next Friday, the Bulldogs travel to Allen East to play the 1-6 Mustangs in a conference match. Allen East defeated Paulding last Friday with a score of 35-18, nabbing their first victory for the season.
Photos by Todd Klingler
