By Cort Reynolds
ADA - Facing a must-win situation, winless Ada visits surprisingly undefeated traditional rival Upper Scioto Valley Friday night in a week three showdown.
The Rams are off to their first 2-0 start under head coach Dustin Price.
The Rams whipped Springfield Catholic Central 38-6 in their opener. USV then went to Cory-Rawson and stung the Hornets 26-20 in a week two thriller by rallying to score two fourth period touchdowns.
With the score tied 20-20, C-R turned the ball over near the USV 20 late in the game. The Rams then drove 80 yards on four plays, and scored the winning TD on a three-yard run from senior back Devan Sousley just before time expired.
"They play hard, they run the ball pretty hard," said Christopher of the Rams. "They have a balanced attack.
"Their quarterback (sophomore Kadyn Hurley) throws the ball well, he runs their offense well. Connor Sanders is a big target. Their guys in the backfield do things well, and they deserve to be 2-0."
USV is tied for fourth place in the Div. VII, Region 28 computer rankings with Waynesfield. Ada is tied for 22nd in the Div. VI, Region 23 computer ratings.
The last five meetings between the fierce backyard rivals have come in the season opener, unlike this year when the squads collide in week three. Ada has won their last five rivalry battles by an average of 29 points per game, but last year's victory came by only a 14-point margin.
Despite the difference in their records, Ada will have to guard against being over-confident. They have not lost to USV since 1996 when Jim Pifer coached the black and red, and the Rams have 18 players on their roster.
"Our guys have to understand we are 0-2, they are 2-0 and it will be a big-time atmosphere over there in McGuffey," Ada second-year coach Shawn Christopher warned. "We cannot have self-inflicted wounds again."
The Bulldogs beat a game Ram squad 30-16 in the 2018 opener at War Memorial Stadium. Ada whipped USV 40-7 at McGuffey in 2017. In 2016, the Bulldogs triumphed 38-6. In 2015, it was 69-28 in favor of the purple and gold. Ada won easily 49-14 in the 2014 opener.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
