Story by Dusty Donley -
Photos by Cort Reynolds
The 2017 Ada football campaign started off with a bang, as the Bulldogs traveled to McGuffey last Friday night and defeated arch rival Upper Scioto Valley, 40-7.
Led by senior Seth Conley’s four first half touchdown passes, the Bulldogs racked up a 34-point lead, propelling them to the season opening blow-out victory.
BOX SCORE AND MORE GAME PHOTOS BELOW -
Freshman Zac Swaney set the tone early, beginning his varsity career by taking the opening kickoff 75-yards to the house. Senior Aaron Everhart’s point after kick was good, giving the Bulldogs a very early 7-0 lead.
Defensive specialist Ethan Swaney recovered a Ram fumble on the ensuing drive, but Everhart’s 27-yard field goal was blocked, thwarting Ada’s second scoring opportunity. Two plays later, Chase Sumner intercepted USV quarterback Jason Moots, once again giving the Bulldogs the ball deep in Ram territory.
This time, Conley would make them pay, as the senior gunslinger connected with his favorite target, senior Chase Sumner on a 19-yard touchdown toss. Everhart’s second PAT was good, giving Ada a 14-0 lead with over ten minutes still to play in the first quarter.
Later in the quarter, after a long Conley to Sumner gain moved the Bulldogs to the one, the senior quarterback would find Aaron Everhart for the first of his three first half touchdown receptions. Everhart would once again cap the drive with another successful extra point kick, ballooning the Bulldog lead to 21-0.
Solid Ada defense forced a USV punt on the next Ram possession. A nice Chase Sumner punt return would set up a 32-yard Conley to Everhart touchdown strike. Everhart’s PAT was no good, giving Ada a 27-0 lead with under a minute to play in the first quarter.
The only scoring in the second quarter came when Conley and Everhart connected on a 56-yard touchdown with just under six minutes to play in the half. Everhart’s kick was good, giving Ada an unsurmountable 34-0 lead.
USV opened the second half with a solid drive down to the Ada 10-yard line, but ultimately the Bulldog defense stopped the Rams on fourth down, giving the ball back to Conley and the red-hot Ada offense.
On the next play from scrimmage, Everhart would take a Conley handoff and rumble 90-yards to the end zone. His point after kick was blocked, leaving the score 40-0 with just over seven minutes to play in the third.
Quinton Sanders would add the only USV points in the fourth quarter, a pick-six of Ada backup quarterback Philip Coulson. The Ram extra point kick was good, giving us our 40-7 final score.
The Bulldog offense out gained the Rams in total yards, 301 to 169. Strong Ada defense held the USV passing attack to only 18 yards, but the Rams out gained Seth Conley finished the game 7 of 14 for 165 yards passing, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception in three quarters of action.
Aaron Everhart had a monster of a game, rushing for 107 yards and a score, while also pulling down 3 receptions for 89 yards and 3 touchdowns. Chase Sumner added 2 receptions for 73 yards and a score.
The Bulldogs head to Arlington next Friday night to take on the Red Devils (0-1). Arlington is coming off a 52-0 drubbing by Anna. Game time is 7 p.m.
CORT REYNOLDS PHOTO IDS:
Ada senior QB Seth Conley eludes a USV rush in the 40-7 Bulldog win
Friday in the season opener. Conley threw four TD passes in the blowout.
Ada senior QB Seth Conley keeps his eyes downfield despite two
advancing USV rushers in the 40-7 Bulldog win Friday in the season opener.
Conley tossed four TD passes in the blowout, three to Aaron Everhart.
USV junior back Wade Lowery tries to evade the lunging grasp of Ada
senior Ethan Swaney in the 40-0 Bulldog victory Friday in the season
opener.
Ada on defense.
