By Cort Reynolds
Year three of the Toby Smith coaching rebuild at Ada sees the Bulldog football program looking to make another upward stride to .500 and a possible playoff spot in 2023.
One of the league’s best offensive tandems will lead that climb, provided they stay healthy.
Elusive junior quarterback Levi Green led the Northwest Conference in rushing in 2022 with 1,025 yards, and powerful senior running back Jalee Bolden was a second team all-league pick before a knee injury ended his season prematurely.
"A .500 season and a playoff berth are reasonable goals,” veteran mentor Smith agreed, "If we don’t turn the ball over, we will be in games.”
Roster numbers are at 34 this season, with 11 lettermen back from the 3-7 Ada squad that went 2-5 in Northwest Conference play last fall. Seven full or part-time starters return on both sides of the ball.
CONTINUES
The 5-9, 210-pound Bolden muscled his way to over 600 yards rushing and six touchdowns before a bruised knee bone in week six sidelined him. He is a powerful runner who tacks on extra yardage after the first and second hits.
If he stays healthy, the bruising Bolden should challenge the 1,000-yard barrier.
Junior Levi Green also threw for seven touchdowns and 831 yards while recovering from shoulder surgery in 2022. His passing should be even deeper and more accurate this fall with a year of starting experience and good health.
Green boasts shifty moves and speed, and is the proverbial big-play maker. As the season wore on he made better decisions with the ball and became a huge weapon capable of big gains any time he touched the ball in open space.
At 5-8 and 160 pounds, he is very hard-nosed and seldom shies away from contact, often eschewing safety for a chance to gain extra yardage.
“He has breakaway speed,” said Smith. “We will run a lot of mis-direction and RPO stuff with Levi.”
Sophomores Zack Zimmerman and Kayleb Hickman are the backup signal-callers should Green get injured. He will play with a target on his back this season and has been resilient in bouncing back from hard hits.
A solid receiving corps will aid the Bulldog spread attack. Juniors Kaine Fisher, Trevor McGue and Brody Erickson will team with sophomore Hickman as the top targets.
Experienced and strong 6-0 junior Max Puerto serves as the slot receiver.
"We like our receiving corps," Smith said. "We have to avoid injuries to be competitive every week.”
The elusive Fisher will also serve as the other top Bulldog running back.
The Bulldog offensive line lost some key experience and size to graduation, but returns two full-time starters and promise.
Senior Owen Arnett returns as a starting tackle along with 255-pound junior Dalton Amos. Junior Colton Cole handles the center duties, while 6-2 junior Landon Simon and 6-1 sophomore Slade Gossman are expected to start at the guard slots.
"We have three experienced guys back on the offensive line, with two inexperienced spots," said the coach.
McGue also has some H-back/slot experience.
Smith agreed that the Bulldog defense is probably a bit behind the offense early in the season.
The 6-1 Zimmerman and Erickson will handle the defensive end positions. Amos, Cole and Gossman man the interior tackle spots. The stocky Arnett also played some end last season.
Junior Ian House, Fisher and Bolden are expected to man the linebacker corps. Puerto and junior Liam Vieira add quality LB depth.
Ada has experienced returnees who should comprise a solid secondary. Green and McGue will play the safety spots, with Hickman and fellow soph Gavin Oldfield holding down the cornerback positions.
Freshman Kolton Dysert will provide depth at cornerback.
"Our defense will be aggressive and blitz when needed ," Smith warned. “Our defense has the ability to be unselfish and play aggressively.”
As for special teams, junior soccer ace Logan Jolliff is expected to handle the place kicking duties, field goals and point after kicks, as well as kickoffs.
The kickoff and punt return unit looks to be a strength, with Green a serious threat to go the distance after earning All-NWC specialist status in 2022.
Stutter-stepping Fisher and Hickman also serve as dangerous return weapons if teams select to kick away from Green.
Junior Puerto is expected to be the punter, with Colton Cole and Dalton Amos handling the long snapper duties. McGue will serve as the kick holder.
As far as the NWC race goes, defending champion Allen East will be good but is expected to be a bit down after losing top player/QB Jacob Hershberger.
“We are still trying to take care of ourselves,” said Smith when asked where Ada fits into the league race. “Allen East will be good, Grove looks solid. Bluffton is an interesting team to watch if they stay healthy.
"As long as we improve and take care of the ball we will be competitive," said Smith.
Ada starts the season at home August 18 vs. non-league arch-rival USV, which finished second in the NWCC and ended up 8-3 after a first-round playoff loss in 2022.
“USV has been successful the past few years,” said Smith. “We will have to take control of the ball and get timely stops.”
After many lopsided encounters in Ada’s favor, the resumption of this rivalry game could be the most competitive bout between the unfriendly foes since the 1990s.
The Bulldogs then visit Riverdale and New Washington Buckeye Central in a new three-game non-league set to kick off the campaign.
The Bulldogs open the 2023 conference slate in week four at Crestview. Leipsic is the NWC home opening-opponent as Ada ends a three-game road swing in week five against the Vikings.
The Bulldogs welcome rival Bluffton for Homecoming in week six. The regular season ends October 20 at home vs. backyard rival AE.
With the post-season having expanded to 16 qualifiers per region a few years ago, a first Bulldog playoff spot since 2017 looks attainable if Ada gets off to a good start in non-league play–and if Green and Bolden stay healthy.
PHOTOS
The Ada varsity football team, from left, front row: Kaine Fisher, Colton Cole, Jalee Bolden, Owen Arnett, Dalton Amos, Levi Green.
Row 2: Avery Connor, Landon Simon, Trevor McGue, Max Puerto, Ian House, Brody Erickson, Logan Jolliff.
Row 3: Kale Pederson, Kayleb Hickman, Cobe harris, Zack Zimmerman, Gavin Oldfield, Aiden Ritchie, Slade Gossman, Trevor Dirmeyer.
Row 4: Grady Curtis, T.J. Griffith, Kolton Dysert, Brandon Prater, Tyler Stauffer, Jacon Szippl, Wes Mowery.
Row 5: Matthew Walker, Grady Curtis, Layne Simon, Blake Zoladz, Braylon King.
Back: assistant coaches Scott Jones, Britton Devier, Joe Wolber, head coach Toby Smith, assistant coaches Garrett Fleming, Sean Anderson, Kyle Frazier, Ryan Ormsbee.
The Ada football returning letter winners, from left, front: Colton Cole,
Jalee Bolden, Owen Arnett, Levi Green.
Middle row: Avery Conner, Kayleb Hickman, Trevor McGue.
Back: Gavin Oldfield, Max Puerto, Dalton Amos, Kaine Fisher.
Ada football 2023 at a glance: Div. VII, Region 26
2020 record: 3-7, 2-5 NWC
Head coach: Toby Smith, 3rd year
Roster numbers: 34
Lettermen back: 11
Starters back: 7 on offense, 6 on defense
Top returning offensive players: Sr. RB Jalee Bolden, Jr. OL Dalton Amos, Jr QB. Levi Green, Jr. WR Kaine Fisher, Sr. OL Owen Arnett, Jr. C Colton Cole, Jr. OL Dalton Amos, Jr. Slot R Max Puerto.
Top returning defenders: Jr. Green S, Jr. Fisher LB, Sr. Bolden LB, Jr. Erickson DE, Jr. Amos DT.
