By Dusty Donley
A late game blocked punt led to a Jordan Bailey touchdown, giving Ada a lead they would not relinquish, as the Bulldogs would go on to defeat the unbeaten Crestview Knights, 22-15 on Friday.
Trailing by a point with just over five minutes left in the game, the Bulldog special teams would play the role of hero. On fourth and long, a mob of Ada defenders blocked Crestview punter Seth Moser's kick and Sophomore Jordan Bailey scooped up the loose ball and took it to the house.
Solid defense the rest of the way preserved the Bulldog victory, moving them to (4-3) overall and (3-2) in the Northwest Conference.
Crestview struck early in the first quarter as a 44-yard Preston Zaleski to Nate Owens pass on the first play of the game set up a 4-yard Jake Lippi touchdown run. Zaleski took a fake kick in for two, giving the Knights an 8-0 lead with 9:33 left in the first stanza.
The Bulldogs had two good opportunities to score in the opening quarter, but ultimately defense was the name of the game in the first, as both teams kept the opposing offenses out of the end zone the rest of the way.
But, the second quarter was a different story as the Bulldogs found the end zone on two 80+ yard drives.
Ada's first scoring jaunt came as Freshman quarterback Seth Conley connected with Junior Blake Ansley on a 20-yard touchdown strike to cap an eight play, 84-yard drive.
Freshman Aaron Everhart's extra point made the score 8-7 with 8:29 to go in the quarter.
The Bulldogs found pay dirt again with 30 seconds left in the half as Conley hit Sophomore Trent Jolliff in the back corner of the end zone, sealing their second 84-yard drive of the quarter. Everhart's PAT gave the Bulldogs a 14-8 halftime lead.
Crestview's run game began to click in the third as four Zaleski quarterback keepers set up a 22-yard Malcolm Oliver touchdown rumble. Jake Tatum's extra point gave Crestview a 15-14 lead with 4:20 left in the quarter.
Good defense from both sides maintained the one point Crestview lead deep into the fourth period, but ultimately it was the Bulldog special teams that made the play of the game.
On fourth and 17, a gaggle of Ada defenders broke through and blocked Crestview punter Seth Moser's kick. Sophomore Jordan Bailey grabbed the pigskin off the turf and took it 25-yards for the score. The Bulldogs went for two and Conley found Jolliff to give Ada a 22-15 lead with 5:21 to play in the game.
The Knights turned to the passing game on their next drive, but a Jolliff interception on third down gave the ball back to the Bulldogs. A quick Ada series ended when Conley threw his lone interception of the game, giving the Knights the ball at the Bulldog 36 with just over two minutes to play.
Crestview made it to the Ada 22-yard line, but on fourth down, Zaleski heaved the ball into the end zone and was once again picked off by Jolliff, sealing the seven point Ada victory.
The Bulldogs out-gained the Knights 293 yards to 285. Ada threw for 259 yards to Crestview's 87, but the Knights were dominant on the ground, rushing for 198 yards to Ada's 34.
Bulldog quarterback Seth Conley went 27 of 43 for 259 yards, 2 scores and 1 interception. He also led the team in rushing with 33 yards on 14 carries.
Junior Slate Johansen paced the Bulldog receivers with 63 yards on 4 receptions. Trent Jolliff had 6 receptions for 50 yards and a score and Blake Ansley added 6 receptions for 47 yards and a score.
The Bulldogs make the short drive to take on Northwest Conference rival Allen East Friday night. The Mustangs sit at (3-4) on the season and (2-4) in the league. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
