By Cort Reynolds
The Ada HIgh School football team scored early but eventually lost 48-21 to Delphos Jefferson in a Northwest Conference contest on a chilly Homecoming Friday, September 23, at War Memorial Park Stadium.
Ada dropped to 1-5 and 0-3 in the NWC with the defeat. Meanwhile, the Wildcats improved to 3-3 and 2-1 in league play with their second straight win.
Three first-half turnovers and a dominating first half by do-it-all Wildcat back Andrew Miller contributed to Ada's third consecutive loss. DJ scored 48 unanswered points after the Bulldogs broke on top early.
"We once again continue to turn the ball over and give up big plays," said Bulldog second-year head coach Toby Smith. "Nothing will change until we change that."
Ada struck first to take an early lead. On the fourth play from scrimmage, Jalee Bolden broke a tackle and rambled 45 yards to the end zone with 10:07 left in the first period.
Wyatt Green's extra point kick put Ada in front 7-0, capping the 62-yard march.
But Delphos grabbed the momentum back moments later. The elusive Miller scampered 65 yards to paydirt on their first play from scrimmage just 11 seconds after Ada scored.
Braylon Scalf's extra point boot tied it, 7-7.
On the next Bulldog drive, Levi Green competed a pass to Jacob Sutherly for s first down. But then the march stalled and Ada punted.
DJ took over at its own 36, and Miller immediately weaved his way for 16 yards. Lester Amos dropped Miller for a loss of two. But on third and 11, senior quarterback Trent Teman found Tanner Voorhees wide open over the middle for a 36-yard reception.
Three plays later, the 6-4 Teman muscled in from three yards to break the tie with 4:18 to go in the opening stanza.
Miller then made a leaping one-handed interception at the 50, then he returned it 18 yards to the Bulldog 32.
Teman converted a fourth and three pass to keep the drive alive. On third and goal from the eight, he fired a slant pass that Cody Bailey made a diving catch of in the end zone for a touchdown.
Scalf's third PAT boot extended the lead to 21-7 with 10:52 left in the half.
With Bolden sidelined by a leg injury, Casen Jones ran three times for 17 yards on the next Ada possession. But on third and seven, Luke Rode picked off a Green aerial and DJ took over at its own 42.
On the very next play, Scalf hauled in a pass over the middle from Teman and sped 58 yards untouched to paydirt. Scalf's PAT boot stretched the margin to 28-7 with 7:07 to go in the half.
Ada went three and out and punted. DJ drove into Bulldog territory but stalled at the 19. Scalf then kicked a 36-yard field goal at the 2:46 mark to make it 31-7.
Green scampered 27 yards around left end to move the Bulldogs to the Wildcat 42. But on the next play, Ada fumbled the ball and DJ recovered at its own 46.
Miller ran 14 yards but had a 21-yard run negated by holding. Miller then made a juggling catch to convert a fourth down play. With six seconds left in the half, Scalf booted a 27-yard field goal to put the Wildcats ahead 34-7 at intermission.
DJ started the second half at its own 37 and quickly rolled 63 yards on four runs. A Miller 16-yard rush started the march, and then Cole Hoersten took over with three runs totaling 47 yards.
Hoersten's third run up the middle covered 30 yards to paydirt with 10:32 remaining. The Scalf PAT made it 41-7 and started the running clock.
Ada took over at its own 15. A penalty and a tackle for loss pinned the Bulldogs at their own two. Jones hammered 13 yards to give Ada some breathing room. But Scalf returned the punt to the Bulldog 32 to provide saccharine field position.
A Teman screen to the right gained 14 yards. Hoersten then burst 18 yards up the gut for another TD at the 4:44 mark. Scalf's PAT kick advanced the margin to 48-7.
Kaine Fisher ran six yards and then for nine more on consecutive plays to start the next Bulldog possession. Jones carried several Wildcats 11 yards to the DJ 38.
On third and four, Jones bulled his way 13 yards to the DJ 19 just before the third period ended.
Two plays later, Green scurried 16 yards around right end for a touchdown with 11:45 left to play. The two-point conversion was stopped to keep the margin at 35.
Green ran 13 yards to start the next Ada drive. He then connected with Levi Sousley for a 37-yard TD reception with 4:48 remaining. The two-point pass by Fisher to Sousley cut the final deficit to 48-21.
1 2 3 4 F
Ada 7 0 0 14 21
Notes and stats
Ada netted 295 yards in total offense on 43 plays for an average of 6.9 yards per play. Jefferson totaled 427 yards on 52 snaps (8.2 avg.).
The Bulldogs ran the ball 31 times for 222 yards (7.2 average). The Wildcats carried the pigskin 37 times for 277 yards (7.5 avg.).
Green completed seven of 12 aerials for 73 yards with one TD and two interceptions. He also rushed 10 times for 91 yards.
Bolden netted 56 yards on five carries and scored a TD. Jones rushed nine times for 55 yards.
Levi Sousley hauled in two receptions for 50 yards and one TD.
Teman efficiently completed nine of 13 passes for 150 yards and two scores.
Miller ran 13 times for 157 yards and one TD, almost all in the first half. He also caught three passes for 21 yards. Hoersten added 67 yards on seven runs.
Bailey snagged three aerials for 22 yards and one score, while Scalf caught two passes for 72 yards and a TD.
Ada compiled 13 first downs, 11 of which came on the ground. while two were through the air.
The Wildcats amassed 20 first downs, with 11 on the ground and seven aerially, plus two via penalty.
The Bulldogs committed three turnovers, while DJ made no turnovers. The Bulldogs were penalized seven times for 75 yards, and the Wildcats were flagged four times for 25 yards in the contest.
Ada made it on two of eight third down tries, and was 1-1 on fourth down. DJ converted three of eight third downs and were 2-4 on fourth down.
Ada held the edge in time of possession, 24:55 to 22:54.
Ada hosts Bearcats next
Next Friday, Ada is again at home to host struggling Spencerville in week seven.
The Bearcats sport identical records to Ada at 1-5 overall and 0-3 in the NWC. They have dropped four in a row after being trounced by league leader Allen East Friday, 58-14.
Ada is 1-3 at home while Spencerville is 1-2 on the road. The lone Bearcat win came at former NWC foe Paulding in week two, 37-13.
