By Dusty Donley
A monster 28-point fourth quarter and a late game blocked extra point helped the visiting Ada Bulldogs secure an amazing comeback victory as they defeated the Bluffton Pirates, 42-41. Down 35-14 with just over a quarter to play, the Bulldogs rallied behind the arm of Freshman gunslinger Seth Conley, scoring four times in a thrilling fourth period. The win moves Ada to (2-3) overall and (1-2) in the Northwest Conference.
Both offenses started slow, with neither finding the end zone in the first quarter, but once the scoring started, it didn't stop until the final seconds ticked off the clock.
Bluffton got the ball rolling in the second, when Pirate quarterback Mitchell Ault connected with Robbie Stratton for a 25-yard touchdown. Dylan Ault's extra point gave the Pirates a 7-0 lead with 3:28 left in the half.
Ada would respond on its next drive as Conley capped a 69-yard Bulldog drive by tossing Junior Blake Ansley a 47-yard touchdown strike. Freshman Aaron Everhart's point after tied the game at 7-7 with 2:40 to play in the second quarter.
The Pirates came right back, scoring in four plays as Ault once again found Stratton, this time for a 22-yard touchdown. Ault's extra point gave Bluffton the lead, 14-7 with 1:30 left in the half.
Not to be outdone, Conley and the Bulldogs would again respond, moving 69 yards in just over a minute of play. The Freshman QB would seal the drive by tossing his second touchdown of the day, a 20-yard dagger to Sophomore Owen Conley. Everhart's extra point knotted the game at 14-14 and that's how the half would end.
Bluffton entered the second half looking to put the game out of reach, and they came extremely close. Two third quarter Mitchell Ault touchdown runs and a 52-yard Ault to Sam Crisp touchdown pass gave the Pirates a 35-14 lead to end the quarter.
And that's when the Bulldog offense came to life.
Ada opened the fourth quarter with a Conley to Senior Grant McBride 4-yard touchdown toss after only five seconds had ticked off the clock. Everhart's extra point moved the Bulldogs closer at 35-21.
A three and out gave the ball back to the Bulldog offense and they once again found pay dirt as Conley hit McBride for a 25-yard touchdown. Everhart missed the PAT, making it a 35-27 game with 9:47 left to play.
Bluffton tried to respond on their next drive, but a screen pass to Stratton was fumbled and Senior Levi Bass pounced on the ball, giving the Bulldogs the ball back at midfield.
Ada would find the end zone for the third time in the fourth quarter on the ensuing drive as Ansley rumbled in for a 5-yard touchdown. Conley then found McBride for a two-point conversion, tying the game 35-35 with 6:43 left in the fourth.
The Bulldogs forced a punt on the next Pirate possession, but the Bluffton D rose to the occasion, forcing Ada into a punting situation of their own. Trent Jolliff boomed a nice punt, but Austin Brickner fumbled and Ada recovered on the Pirate 11-yard line.
On the next play, Conley tossed his fifth touchdown pass of the game, an 11-yard lob to Ansley. Everhart's extra point gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the game, 42-35 with just over a minute to play in the game.
A nice kick return gave Bluffton life, but it was a 43-yard hail mary on fourth down that got them into scoring position at the Bulldog 21. Four plays later, Ault hit Clay Wilson for a 2-yard touchdown, pulling the Pirates within one point.
And that's when Levi Bass played the role of hero.
On the ensuing PAT, Bass was able to get a fingertip on the kick, rendering the attempt no good and preserving the 42-41 Bulldog lead.
Blake Ansley would recover the Pirate on-side kick and the Bulldogs would run out the clock in the victory formation, savoring the amazing comeback victory.
Bluffton out-gained the Bulldogs, 471 to 425 yards.
Seth Conley went 31 of 49 for 360 yards, 5 scores and a pick. Bluffton quarterback Mitchell Ault went 32 of 53 for 408 yards, 4 scores and a pick in the shootout.
Blake Ansley hauled in 9 receptions for 128 yards and 2 scores. He'd also add 66 yards rushing and another score. Grant McBride pulled down 9 receptions for 97 yards and 2 scores. Owen Conley finished with 6 receptions for 69 yards and a score.
Ada goes on the road next week, taking on Northwest Conference foe Paulding. The Panthers sit at (1-4) on the season and (0-2) in the conference. Game time is 7:30.
