By Dusty Donley
Three late interceptions doomed the Bulldogs as the Bluffton Pirates traveled to War Memorial Stadium and ended Ada's three game win streak, defeating the Dogs 27-21.
The heartbreaking Northwest Conference loss drops Ada to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the NWC.
Bluffton was able to strike first as a first quarter Trent Jolliff interception and return by Pirate defender Kaleb Jefferson set Bluffton up deep in Bulldog territory.
Solid Pirate quarterback Mitchell Ault would capitalize, as the senior signal caller found Dakota Brickner for a 21-yard touchdown. Carrick Lancaster's point after kick was good, giving Bluffton the 7-0 lead with just under six minutes to play in the first quarter.
Jolliff and the Ada offense would answer on their next drive, as passes to Blake Ansley and Aaron Everhart plunged them deep into Pirate territory. Three incomplete passes set-up a fourth down and 10, to which Jolliff would respond with a 27-yard touchdown toss to Chase Sumner. Aaron Everhart's extra point was good, tying the game at 7 with just over four minutes left in the first quarter.
The Pirates came right back on their next possession, moving 67-yards in six plays. They found the end zone on the first play of the second quarter as Ault hit Sam Crisp for the 17-yard touchdown. Lancaster's kick was no good, leaving Bluffton with the 13-7 lead.
The Bulldogs were forced to punt on their next possession, but Pirate return man Dustin Falk bobbled Jolliff's kick. Before Ada could take advantage of the miscue, Falk grabbed the loose ball on his own 8-yard line and turned on the jets, racing 92-yards for the score. Lancaster's point after kick was good, giving Bluffton a 20-7 lead with 7:17 left in the second quarter.
With the momentum starting to swing in Bluffton's favor, Jolliff and the Bulldog offense would counter with an 11-play, 76-yard scoring drive. Passes to Sumner and Ansley got them close, but ultimately it was Jolliff's legs that got the score as the athletic junior rumbled in for the 2-yard touchdown.
Everhart's kick was good, narrowing the Bluffton lead to 20-14, which the Pirates would take into the half time locker room.
The Bulldogs came out of the half time intermission and grabbed the lead on their first possession of the second half.
Jolliff capped an 8-play, 75-yard drive with a 19-yard touchdown toss to Blake Ansley. Everhart's extra point was good, giving Ada the 21-20 lead with 8:17 left in the third quarter.
Neither offense found room to work over the remainder of the third quarter as both teams traded punts and battled between the 20s.
Bluffton was able to finally break the defensive stalemate early in the fourth when Ault found Jefferson for a 7-yard score.
Lancaster's point after kick was good, putting the Pirates back in front 27-21 with 10:03 left in the game.
The Bulldogs had excellent opportunities to regain the lead over the final 10-minutes of play, but interceptions on Ada's final three drives thwarted any chance they had to win the game. Ault would ultimately take the knee to end the game, giving Bluffton its first win over Ada since 2006.
Ada out-gained Bluffton in total offense, 401 yards to 247. Turnovers were the story as the Bulldogs gave the ball away four times to Bluffton's zero.
Bulldog quarterback Trent Jolliff went 30 of 49 for 346 yards, 2 scores and 4 interceptions. He added 44 yards on the ground and a score.
Blake Ansley led the receivers with 11 grabs for 152 yards and a score. Chase Sumner added 8 receptions for 68 yards and a score.
The Bulldogs go on the road this Friday night to take on Delphos Jefferson. The Wildcats (7-1, 5-0) are coming off an impressive 57-14 victory over Crestview.
