By Dusty Donley
A huge night from Freshman quarterback Seth Conley helped the visiting Ada Bulldogs rack up 61 points en route to a decisive Northwest Conference victory over the Paulding Panthers, 61-14. For a second consecutive week the Bulldogs won behind a packed stat line from Conley, as the gunslinger tossed for 375 yards and 5 scores. The win moves Ada to (3-3) on the season and (2-2) in the NWC.
Ada's ground game set the tone early, helping the Bulldogs score on their first two possessions of the game. Conley's 4-yard quarterback keeper started the barrage of points with 8:37 left in the first quarter. Freshman Aaron Everhart's extra point was no good, giving the Bulldogs a 6-0 lead.
Sophomore Trent Jolliff's interception set up a 3-yard touchdown rumble from Junior Blake Ansley. The Bulldogs went for two and Conley found Jolliff to push the Ada lead to 14-0 with just under six minutes to play in the first quarter.
Paulding would respond on its next possession as Treston Gonzalez snagged a Panther pass and took the ball 79-yards to the house. The successful PAT made the score 14-7 with 5:28 remaining in the first quarter.
The Panther defense forced a Bulldog punt on its next drive, but Senior Luke Long-Green grabbed an interception, giving the ball right back to the Ada offense.
The Bulldogs would take advantage of the good field position, scoring in five plays as Conley found Sophomore Owen Conley for a 13-yard touchdown toss. Everhart's extra point was no good, leaving Ada with a 20-7 lead with 11:42 left in the second quarter.
Ada was slowed on its next two offensive possessions, but interceptions by Long-Green and Jolliff kept the Panthers from capitalizing.
The Bulldogs quickly found the end zone on its next drive as Conley hit Ansley on a 54-yard touchdown strike, but an offensive block in the back penalty nullified the score. Ada would hit pay dirt a few plays later as Conley connected with Junior Slate Johansen on a 27-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion try was no good, giving Ada a 26-7 lead with just over seven minutes to play in the half.
Ada would slow the Panthers on their next drive, but a Conley pick six gave Paulding their second touchdown of the day. The PAT made the score 26-14 and that's how the half would end.
The second half was all Ada as the Bulldogs rolled off five scoring drives, while holding Paulding out of the end zone.
Ada opened the third quarter with a scoring march fueled by Ansley's powerful running. A 26-yard burst, followed by a nice 10-yard jaunt set up the Ansley 1-yard touchdown plunge. Everhart's kick was good, giving the Bulldogs a 33-14 lead with 10:28 left in the third quarter.
The Ada defense forced a three and out on the next Panther drive and a botched punt gave the Bulldogs excellent field position. Four plays later, Conley would find Senior Grant McBride on a 1-yard touchdown toss. Everhart's PAT pushed the Ada lead to 40-14 with just over nine minutes to play in the third quarter.
After another Bulldog defensive stop, the offense would again find pay dirt, this time on a 2-yard Conley quarterback keeper. Everhart's extra point gave Ada a 47-14 lead with 6:45 to play in the third.
The Bulldog starters would go on to add one more score, a 28-yard Conley to Jolliff touchdown pass before being replaced by the JVs. Freshman backup quarterback Chase Sumner would toss his first Varsity touchdown pass, a 17-yard strike to Sophomore Mason Klingler in garbage time. Everhart's PAT would give us a 61-14 final score.
Ada out-gained Paulding 527 yards to 151.
Seth Conley finished the game 33 of 50 for 375 yards, 5 scores and 2 interceptions. He would also add 2 rushing touchdowns.
Blake Ansley rushed 8 times for 63 yards and 2 scores to go along with 4 receptions for 61 yards and 1 score.
Grant McBride led the receivers with 9 receptions for 94 yards and a score.
Ada hosts undefeated Crestview on Friday. The state ranked Knights are (6-0) on the season and (3-0) in the conference and sit a half-game behind league leading Spencerville. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
