By Dusty Donley
For a third straight week, it was the superb play of the defense that propelled Ada to a league win as the host Bulldogs shut-out the Paulding Panthers 44-0.
The hard-nosed Ada defensive unit celebrated Homecoming by holding the Panthers to a measly 39 yards of total offense.
The victory extends Ada's win streak to three games, improving their record to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Northwest Conference.
Neither team found the end zone in the first quarter, but the next 12 minutes were a completely different story as the Bulldog offense racked up 21 points in the second quarter.
A Jackson Conrad interception of Panther quarterback Corbin Edwards gave Ada the ball in Paulding territory early in the second. Two quick Trent Jolliff to Blake Ansley passes set up the first Bulldog score of the game, a 13-yard Jolliff to Jordan Bailey touchdown toss. Aaron Everhart's point after kick was good, giving the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead.
After the Bulldog defense forced a Paulding punt, Jolliff and the Ada offense wasted no time, finding the end zone in only five plays.
Passes to Everhart, Chase Sumner, and Ansley got them within striking distance, but it was ultimately Jolliff's legs that struck gold, as the Junior quarterback rumbled in for the 2-yard score. Everhart's extra point was good, pushing Ada's lead to 14-0 with 4:31 left in the second quarter.
Once again, solid Bulldog defense stymied Edwards and the Panther offense, forcing another Paulding punt. Ada took over at midfield and Jolliff immediately went to work, tossing two long passes to Bailey and Cole East to move the Bulldogs deep into Paulding territory.
Jolliff would call his own number once again, slicing in for the 1-yard score. Everhart's point after kick capped a five play, 50-yard drive and gave the Bulldogs a comfortable 21-0 lead that they would take into the halftime locker room.
The second half was more of the same for the Bulldogs as stingy defense lead to Ada points. Hunter Purdy recovered a Panther fumble early in the third quarter, giving the Bulldog offense the ball deep in Paulding territory. One play later, Jolliff found an open Jordan Bailey for his second 13-yard touchdown reception of the game. Aaron Everhart's kick ballooned the Bulldog lead to 28-0.
The game then turned into the Aaron Everhart show as the Sophomore Mr. Everything intercepted Edwards on the next Paulding possession and took it to the house for the pick six. He capped the score by converting the extra point, giving the Bulldogs a sizable 35-0 lead.
Everhart would follow-up his stellar defensive play with some offensive fireworks on the next Bulldog possession, as the human highlight reel broke off a 43-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. His sixth successful point after kick gave Ada a 42-0 lead with just over ten minutes to play in the game.
The Bulldogs would add a safety late in the contest to give us a 44-0 final score.
Ada out-gained Paulding in total offense, 306 yards to 39. The tough Bulldog defense held the Panthers to -9 yards on the ground.
Trent Jolliff went 15 of 30 for 198 yards and 2 scores. He also rushed for 42 yards on 9 carries with 2 scores.
Blake Ansley led the receivers with 8 grabs for 81 yards. Jordan Bailey added 3 catches for 46 yards and 2 scores.
Ada hosts NWC rival Bluffton this Friday night. The Pirates (4-3, 1-3) are coming off a 41-7 drubbing from league leader Spencerville. Game time is 7:00 pm.
