By Dusty Donley
Amid miserable weather conditions, visiting Lima Central Catholic traveled to War Memorial Stadium Friday night and delivered Ada its second shut-out in as many weeks as the Thunderbirds defeated the Bulldogs 27-0. The non-league loss ends Ada's season at (5-5) and eliminates them from playoff contention for the first time in nine years.
Despite the cold, wet conditions, LCC was able to find the end zone in each quarter. Their initial score came late in the first as Aiden O'Conner was able to squeeze in from five yards out. Nick Taflinger's extra point was good, giving the Thunderbirds a 7-0 lead with just over three minutes to play in the first quarter.
LCC struck again in the second when quarterback Ethan O'Conner hit Cameron White with a 40-yard bomb. Taflinger's PAT pushed the Thunderbird lead to 14-0, which they would take into the halftime intermission.
LCC's third score came with just under six minutes to play in the third as QB O'Conner decided to keep it himself on third and 24. After breaking several tackles, the speedy quarterback rumbled 71-yards to pay dirt. Taflinger's extra point gave the visitors a comfortable 21-0 lead.
The final Thunderbird touchdown came early in the fourth as Aiden O'Conner found the end zone for a second time, rumbling 23-yards for the score. Taflinger's PAT missed, giving LCC a 27-0 lead, which would be your final.
LCC out-gained the Bulldogs 320 yards to 248. 214 of those yards came on the ground.
Bulldog Freshman quarterback Seth Conley went 20 of 37 for 154 yards and an interception. Junior Blake Ansley led the way on the ground with 88 yards on 10 carries and Junior Slate Johansen led the receivers with 45 yards on 4 grabs.
