By Dusty Donley
In a game dominated by their defense, the Bulldog offense would leave their mark, scoring 21 unanswered points in the third quarter, sealing a big NWC road victory in Bluffton, beating the Pirates 38-14.
The Bulldog defense pitched a shutout over the final two quarters, helping to extend their winning streak to four games. The victory moves Ada to 6-2 on the season and 4-1 in the Northwest Conference.
An interception by Jordan Bailey late in the first quarter set up Seth Conley and the Bulldog offense deep in Pirate territory. Two plays later, Conley rewarded Bailey, as the junior gunslinger hit the two-way star with a 3-yard touchdown toss. Aaron Everhart’s extra point gave Ada a 7-0 lead with just under two minutes to play in the first.
The Bulldog defense forced a punt on the ensuing Bluffton drive, but a special teams fumble gave Jason Bracy and the Pirate offense the ball on the Ada 22.
Minutes later, Bracy connected with Kaleb Jefferson on a 9-yard touchdown. Kyle Koontz’s point after attempt was good, knotting the score at seven with just over eight minutes to play in the second quarter.
Ada’s offense stormed right back, but Conley’s incomplete pass on third down brought out Everhart for a rare field goal attempt. The strong legged kicker’s 35-yard bomb was good, putting the Bulldogs back in front, 10-7.
Bluffton would respond less than 20 seconds later as Bracy handed the ball to Dakota Bricker, who broke through traffic and rumbled down field. 65 yards later, the punishing back found the end zone, giving the Pirates their first lead of the game. Koontz’s extra point put Bluffton ahead by four, 14-10 with just over five minutes to play in the half.
Conley and the Bulldog offense regained the lead minutes later as the slippery quarterback fired a pass on the run, finding Aaron Everhart for a 9-yard touchdown. Everhart’s PAT was good, giving Ada a 17-14 halftime lead.
The remainder of the game was dominated by the Bulldogs on both sides of the ball. Cagey veteran Chase Sumner converted a halfback toss and pass to Owen Conley for a 19-yard score early in the third. Everhart’s extra point pushed Ada’s lead to 10, 24-17.
Later in the third, the dynamic duo of Conley and Sumner hooked up for the tandem’s 11th touchdown connection of the season, this time from 40 yards away. Everhart's kick was good, extending the Bulldog lead to 31-14.
The final Bulldog score came as the result of a Mason Klingler, one-man gang special teams play. The burly senior blasted his way through the Bluffton protection, blocking a Pirate punt that he would scoop up and take 18-yards to the house. Everhart's PAT gave the Bulldogs a 38-14 lead that they would take to the final whistle.
Ada out-gained Bluffton in total yards, 468 to 236. The Dogs crushed the Pirates through the air, throwing for 417 yards to Bluffton's 37.
Bulldog quarterback Seth Conley finished the game 30 of 41 for 398 yards passing, 3 scores and 1 interception. Through eight games this season, the junior QB has thrown for 2,515 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Owen Conley led the receivers with 11 grabs for 153 yards and a score. Chase Sumner added 9 grabs for 120 yards and a score.
The Bulldogs host Delphos Jefferson this Friday night in an important Northwest Conference clash. The Wildcats (7-1, 5-0) are coming off a 20-12 victory over Crestview last Friday night. A Bulldog win would put them in a three-way tie with Spencerville and Delphos for the league lead. Game time is 7 p.m.
