A huge night from Freshman quarterback Seth Conley wasn't enough as the visiting Fort Loramie Redskins marched into War Memorial Stadium and defeated the Bulldogs, 35-21. Conley passed for 433 yards and two scores, but two costly turnovers and a strong night from Redskin quarterback Andy Grewe dealt the Bulldogs their third loss in as many weeks. The non-conference defeat drops Ada to (1-3) on the season.
Fort Loramie struck first, as halfback Nathan Plieman scored on a fourth and goal from the one, capping an 11 play, 55 yard drive. The missed extra point gave the Redskins a 6-0 lead with 7:24 to play in the first quarter.
Ada stalled on its first drive of the contest, but got things moving on its second. Junior Blake Ansley made a key, 12-yard reception on fourth down and a face mask penalty on the play advanced the ball to the Redskin 8-yard line. The Bulldogs found pay dirt on the next play as Conley hit Senior Luke-Long Green on an 8-yard touchdown toss. Freshman Aaron Everhart's extra point gave the Bulldogs a 7-6 lead with just over two minutes to go in the first quarter.
Fort Loramie answered on their next drive, as Redskin quarterback Andy Grewe found Clint Raterman in the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. Fort Loramie's successful two-point conversion gave the Redskins a 14-7 lead after just seven seconds had ticked off the clock.
Ada responded on its next drive, moving the ball deep into Redskin territory, but Conley coughed up the rock on a quarterback keeper and Fort Loramie recovered, giving the Skins the ball at their own 24-yard line.
Once again, Grewe orchestrated a long Fort Loramie drive, moving the ball down to the Bulldog one-yard line. Ada's goal line defense held strong for two plays, but on third down, Plieman added his second touchdown of the game, plunging in for the one yard score. The successful extra point gave Fort Loramie a 21-7 lead with 7:33 left in the second quarter.
The Redskin defense forced an Ada three and out on the next Bulldog drive. A short Ada punt gave Fort Loramie the ball on their own 37 and six plays later, Grewe tucked the ball and scampered 10-yards for the score. The PAT kick pushed the score to 28-7 and the Redskins would take their 21-point lead into halftime.
Ada opened the second half with a new life, as Conley and the Bulldog offense took the opening kickoff and marched all the way down to the Redskin 5-yard line. On fourth and five, the Freshman gunslinger found Senior Grant McBride in the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown. Everhart's extra point cut the Redskin lead to 28-14 with 8:40 left in the third quarter.
Both quarterbacks traded interceptions late in the third quarter with Ada missing a great scoring opportunity as Conley's pass to Ansley at the goal line was deflected and returned to the 13. Grant McBride picked off Grewe on Fort Loramie's ensuing drive, but the Ada offense stalled, turning the ball over on downs.
The Redskins wasted no time on their next drive as Grewe hit Grant Olberding on third down and the wide-out took the ball 62-yards to the house. The extra point gave Fort Loramie a 35-14 lead with 9:28 to go in the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs kept hope alive on their next possession, moving 80-yards in less than a minute and a half. Ansley pounded in a 1-yard touchdown run and Everhart's extra point cut the deficit to 35-21, but the Ada offense couldn't muster anything more over the next eight minutes and that would be your final.
The Redskins out-gained the Bulldogs 372 to 366, killing the dogs on the ground 119 yards to -67.
Seth Conley finished the game 39 of 53 for 433 yards, 2 scores and a pick. Luke Long-Green led the receivers with 10 catches for 123 yards and a score. Grant McBride added 13 receptions for 102 yards and a score.
Ada will attempt to break their three game losing streak this Friday as they travel to Bluffton to take on the (1-3) Pirates. Both teams are currently winless in the Northwest Conference. Game time is 7:30.
