By Dusty Donley
Coming off their biggest win of the season last week in Delphos, the Bulldogs couldn't survive a ferocious second half Thunderbird surge last Saturday night, losing a tough, non-conference battle to a solid Lima Central Catholic squad, 34-20. The loss moves Ada to 7-3 on the season and sends the Bulldogs to Stadium Park for the second time in three weeks, facing a first round playoff rematch with Delphos Jefferson.
Ada got off to a great start against the Thuderbirds, taking their first drive 80 yards in nine plays. The Bulldogs found pay dirt when senior quarterback Matthew Wilcox tossed a 37 yard beauty to senior Hunter Waller down the right sideline on fourth and eight. Austin Dumbaugh's point after kick was good, giving Ada a 7-0 lead with 5:40 left in the first quarter.
The Bulldog defense stiffened on the next LCC drive, forcing the Thunderbirds to punt after a vicious Saed Al-Olimat sack of Colin Stolly. On the next play, Ada junior Noah Beach was able to break through the offensive line and block Stolly's punt into the end zone, where he recovered the loose ball and scored for the Bulldogs. Another Dumbaugh extra point gave the Bulldogs a 14-0 lead with just over four minutes to play in the first quarter.
LCC responded on their next possession with an 80 yard, 10 play drive. Kalito Lazenby got the Thunderbirds on the board with a 2 yard touchdown run. Stolly's extra point made the score 14-7 with just over a minute to play in the first quarter.
As the Thunderbird defense forced Ada to punt on its next possession, the LCC offense built on the momentum of their last drive, finding pay dirt for a second time on a Stolly to Ethan O'Connor 18 yard touchdown strike. A penalty moved the ball back and Stolly's extra point kick was no good, leaving the Bulldogs ahead 14-13 with just under six minutes left in the half.
The Bulldog offense again stalled on its next drive, giving Stolly and the now potent LCC offense another opportunity. After a nice punt return gave the Thunderbirds great field position to start, Stolly tucked the ball and trotted into the end zone for a six yard score. LCC attempted a fake extra point, but hard nosed Bulldog senior lineman Lane Nitchie tackled Stolly to end the trickery and leave the score 19-14 in favor of LCC.
Aided by a huge roughing the passer penalty and then a pass interference call, the Bulldog offense found themselves deep in Thunderbird territory on their next possession and sophomore Blake Ansley capitalized, scoring on a 2 yard touchdown plunge. Ada's two point attempt fell incomplete, giving the Bulldogs a 20-19 halftime lead.
The second half opened and it was all LCC the rest of the way. The Bulldog offense went ice cold and the defense allowed a 41 yard Kalito Lazenby touchdown run late in the third quarter, as well as a 52 yard Colin Stolly quarterback keeper in the fourth to give us a 34-20 final score.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs clinched their 8th consecutive berth in the state football playoffs. They entered the game ranked sixth in the Division VI, region 20 computer rankings, but fell to seventh with the loss. They travel to Stadium Park this Friday night to take on second ranked Delphos Jefferson (9-1), a team they defeated 25-20 in week 9.
Quarterback Matthew Wilcox was injured in the fourth quarter of the LCC loss and his availability for Friday's game is currently unknown. If he's unable to play, senior Austin Dumbaugh will take snaps for the Bulldogs.
The Thunderbirds outgained Ada 526 yards to 231.
Matthew Wilcox went 13 of 24 for 142 yards and a touchdown. Austin Dumbaugh, filling in for the injured Wilcox went 4 of 8 for 31 yards and an interception.
Blake Ansley led the way on the ground with 65 yards on 18 carries and a score.
Hunter Waller led the receivers with 3 catches for 62 yards and a score.
