Bulldogs play season opener at USV on August 23
By Cort Reynolds
The Ada High School football team was sharp in its last tune-up scrimmage, winning at home vs. Waynesfield-Goshen at War Memorial Stadium Friday, August 16.
The Bulldogs led the varsity contest 17-6 after each team completed one series in the third quarter.
Ada took the opening possession and drove 75 yards to score. Senior quarterback Levi Green ignited the initial drive with a 30-yard pass to elusive junior wideout Kayleb Hickman.
Green then hooked up with junior wideout Gavin Oldfield on a 26-yard touchdown aerial to cap the march.
Sophomore Andrew Allen’s point after kick gave Ada a 7-0 lead.
On the second Bulldog possession, Green’s 25-yard toss to Hickman again sparked a scoring drive. Allen later booted a 32-yard field goal to extend the Bulldog lead to 10-0.
The Ada defense stuffed Waynesfield three-and-out on their first two possessions. On the third Tiger drive, senior back Grant Breitigam ripped off a 20-yard run.
W-G later converted on fourth and one to keep the 75-yard scoring march alive. On first and goal from the Ada three, Breitigam powered in off left tackle to score the first W-G TD.
The PAT kick was wide left to keep the margin at 10-6 with 5:07 left in the first half.
Ada struck back quickly with a 75-yard, two-play scoring drive. Green scampered right for nine yards on the first play. He then launched a long aerial down the right sideline which Hickman hauled in and ran the final 30 yards untouched to complete a 66-yard TD and provide a 16-6 cushion.
Allen’s second extra point boot stretched the lead to 17-6 with 4:52 remaining in the second stanza.
On the first possession of the third period, speedy Tiger senior Gage Steinke rambled 59 yards down the left sideline all the way to the Bulldog eight-yard line.
But the Ada defense rose up and stopped the Tigers on fourth and goal from the three by forcing a fumble that W-G fell on for a turnover on downs.
The Tiger defense stopped Ada on fourth and one at their own 40 by forcing a fumble that the Bulldogs recovered. Both teams substituted in many of their reserves after that possession.
Speedy Tiger sophomore Jhett Siebeneck then scored on a long touchdown run up the left side later in the third period with the JVs on the turf.
Ada opens its 2024 season for real at local non-league rival Upper Scioto Valley Friday, August 23. The Bulldogs beat the Rams 24-22 last year in the opener.