Story by Dusty Donley
Photos by Sue Mattson
A gutty defensive stop ended the game as the Bulldogs won a 27-26 Homecoming thriller over the visiting Crestview Knights.
Down by one with four seconds to play and the ball on the Ada two yard line, Crestview elected to keep their offense on the field. Knight quarterback Drew Kline took the snap and felt immediate pressure from Bulldog defender Ethan Swaney, forcing the sophomore quarterback to throw a wobbly pass into the end zone.
GAME BOX SCORE AT BOTTOM -
Jordan Bailey, who had scored the Bulldog go-ahead touchdown minutes before, intercepted Kline's pass, sealing the intense one point Ada victory. The hard fought Northwest Conference win moves the Bulldogs to 4-2 on the season, and 2-1 in the NWC.
Crestview drew first blood after pouncing on a Bulldog fumble early in the first quarter. Two plays later, Kline called his own number, rumbling in for a 3-yard score. Dylan Hicks' extra point was good, giving the Knights a 7-0 lead.
Seth Conley and the Bulldog offense would then respond with a first quarter scoring drive of their own. Moving down the field with relative ease, Conley would eventually find Jordan Bailey for the 1-yard touchdown. Aaron Everhart's point after kick was good, knotting the game at 7 with just under five minutes to play in the opening quarter.
Crestview would add another score early in the second quarter when Kline connected with Chase Clark on a 35-yard touchdown pass. Hicks' extra point was successful, giving the Knights a 14-7 lead.
After a fumble recovery following a botched punt reception, Conley and the Ada offense had the ball and a short field. Seven plays later, the junior gunslinger found Chase Sumner for a 6-yard Bulldog score. Everhart's PAT deadlocked the game at 14 with 4:22 to play in the half.
The Knights added a second score late in the quarter as Luke Gerardort plunged in from one yard away. Jackson Conrad blocked Hicks' extra point attempt, giving Crestview a 20-14 halftime lead.
Despite stingy defense slowing both offenses in the third quarter, Conley was able to find Chase Sumner for a 1-yard game tying score. Everhart's point after gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the game, 21-20.
Crestview regained the lead midway through the fourth when Gerardort sliced his way into the end zone from five yards away. The Knights elected to go for two, but Kline was stopped short of the goal line, leaving the score 26-21 with just over six minutes to play in the game.
Wasting no time, the Bulldog offense would respond with a five play drive, ending with a 57-yard, game tying Conley to Bailey touchdown score. Everhart's PAT was good, giving Ada the 27-26 lead that would set up the dramatic ending.
Crestview out gained Ada in total yards, 337 to 265, dominating the Bulldogs on the ground, 180 yards to -35. The Dogs held the advantage through the air, throwing for 300 yards to Crestview's 157.
Bulldog quarterback Seth Conley finished the game 31 of 43 for 300 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. Jordan Bailey led the receivers with 7 grabs for 110 yards and 2 scores. Chase Sumner added 10 catches for 88 yards and a score.
The Bulldogs travel to Paulding (2-5, 0-3) this Friday night to take on the Panthers. Paulding is coming off a 36-6 NWC loss to Allen East. Game time is 7 pm.
