High-octane Bulldog offense opens the season with a big "W"

By Dusty Donley
The 2016 Ada football campaign started off with a bang as the high-octane Bulldog offense scored 38 unanswered points, propelling the Dogs to an easy 38-6 victory over the visiting Upper Scioto Valley Rams.

Returning Junior quarterback Seth Conley threw for 308 yards and 5 touchdowns in his first action since week four of last season.

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USV struck first early in the opening quarter as Ram running back Austin Sloan sliced and diced his way through the Bulldog defense for a 27 yard score. The Rams went for two, but quarterback Jason Moots' pass was broken up, leaving them with a 6-0 lead with just under ten minutes to play in the first quarter.

The Bulldog offense answered with an 11 play, 65 yard drive that was capped by a pretty 6 yard Conley to Chase Sumner touchdown toss. Aaron Everhart's extra point gave the Bulldogs a 7-6 lead.

The Rams looked to respond on their next possession, but Bulldog defender Kade Cortez picked off a Moots pass, ending the drive. The Ada offense stalled on its ensuing possession, but the defense forced a Ram punt, giving the Dogs the ball close to midfield. The short field only produced three, as Aaron Everhart connected on a 34 yard field goal, pushing the Bulldog lead to 10-6, early in the second quarter.

Moots and the USV offense answered with a nice drive, but ultimately couldn't put points on the board, as a fourth down incompletion gave the Bulldogs the ball on their own 26. Conley would move the Ada offense down the field in 9 plays, finding Chase Sumner for a second time on a 7 yard touchdown strike. Everhart's point after kick gave the Bulldogs a 17-6 lead that they would take into the halftime locker room.

The halftime intermission didn't slow down the Bulldog offensive attack as they took the second half kick off and found the end zone in three plays, the last being a 39 yard Conley to Trent Jolliff touchdown pass. Everhart's third point after attempt on the day was good, extending the Ada lead to 24-6.

The Ada defense once again thwarted the Ram offense as Mr. Everything Trent Jolliff pounced on a Moots fumble, giving the ball back to the red hot Bulldog offense. On the ensuing Bulldog possession, Conley would scramble and eventually find Aaron Everhart for a 4 yard touchdown strike. Everhart's extra point capped the drive, ballooning the Bulldog lead to 31-6 with 6:27 left in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs would add another score late in the third as Conley tossed his fifth touchdown pass of the game, a 7 yard spiral to Trent Jolliff. Everhart's kick made the score 38-6, and that would be your final.

The Bulldogs out-gained the Rams in total offense, 306 yards to 129. They had a significant edge through the air, throwing for 308 yards compared to only 56 from the Rams.

Junior quarterback Seth Conley ended the game 32 of 41 for 308 yards and 5 touchdowns. Senior Trent Jolliff led the Bulldog receivers, hauling in 9 receptions for 111 yards and 2 scores. Owen Conley added 10 receptions for 78 yards, and Chase Sumner grabbed 7 balls for 66 yards and 2 scores.

Ada (1-0) hosts the visiting Arlington Red Devils (0-1) this Friday at War Memorial Stadium. Arlington is coming off a 28-0 loss to Anna. Game time is 7:30.