By Dusty Donley
The visiting Bulldogs jumped out to a 28-point first half lead in Delphos last Friday night and survived a furious second half comeback to pick up a huge conference victory against the Wildcats, 35-33.
DJ scored 26 unanswered points in the second half, but a Chase Sumner interception with under a minute to play sealed the Bulldog victory. With the win, Ada moves to 1-0 in the NWC and 3-1 overall. The conference loss is Jefferson’s first in almost three seasons.
The Bulldogs began their first half offensive onslaught early as senior quarterback Seth Conley connected with senior Jackson Conrad for a 4-yard touchdown on Ada’s opening drive. Senior Aaron Everhart’s point after kick was good, giving Ada a 7-0 lead with just over 10 minutes to play in the first quarter.
Minutes later, Conley and the Bulldog offense went back to work as the senior gunslinger once again found Conrad, who turned on the jets and rumbled 65 yards to the house. Everhart’s extra point was good, and just like that, the Bulldogs were up 14-0 with 2:34 remaining in the first period.
Everhart would intercept Wildcat quarterback Tyler Bratton on the ensuing Jefferson drive, giving the ball right back to the red-hot Bulldog passing attack. Conley would capitalize on the turnover, hitting his favorite target, senior Chase Sumner with a 15-yard touchdown strike. Everhart’s PAT was good, pushing the Ada lead to 21-0 with only 37 ticks off the second quarter clock.
Wildcat bruiser Darius Shurelds bulldozed DJ onto the scoreboard on the following Jefferson possession when he capped a short drive by plunging in for a 2-yard score. The extra point kick was good, shrinking the Ada lead to 21-7 with just over 10 minutes to play in the half.
Conley and the Bulldog offense would respond with their fourth touchdown drive of the game when the senior QB called his own number, scoring on the 1-yard quarterback keeper. Everhart’s extra point was good, putting Ada in front 28-7 with 7:05 left in the first half.
Following a turnover on downs, the Bulldogs would give us the grand finale of their first half fireworks show as Conley tossed his fourth touchdown pass of the game, a 15-yard strike to Chase Sumner. Another successful Everhart PAT would push Ada to a seemingly comfortable 35-7 lead which they would take into the halftime locker room.
With their 17-game conference win streak on the line, the Wildcats would enter the second half with a renewed purpose. Stingy Jefferson defense would stymie the Bulldog offense, while Brennen Auer and the Wildcat offense would ground and pound their way to 26 unanswered points.
Shurelds opened the Wildcat barrage early in the second half, rumbling in for a 2-yard touchdown. The extra point kick was good, leaving Ada with a 35-14 lead with 7:36 left in the third quarter.
Moments later, Shurelds found the end zone for a third time, smashing his way in for the 1-yard touchdown. The point after kick was good, shriveling the Bulldog lead to 35-21 with just under five minutes to play in the third period.
After another stalled Bulldog drive, the Wildcat ground game would once again find the end zone, this time scoring on an Auer 8-yard touchdown run. The extra point kick was no good, withering the Ada lead to 35-27 with 5:25 to play in the game.
With the game beginning to slip away, Conley and the Bulldog offense tried to steady the ship, but a costly interception gave the ball right back to Bratton and the surging Wildcats. Four plays later, Bratton found Auer for an 8-yard touchdown strike. Auer’s 2-point conversion attempt was no good, leaving Ada with the 2-point lead, 35-33 with 3:24 left to play.
Again, the Wildcat defense slowed the Ada offensive attack, forcing a punt. Auer would return the ball to the Bulldog 34-yard line, but Bratton tossed an interception on the potential go-ahead drive, ending the Wildcat rally. Conley would take a knee, ending a wild 35-33 Bulldog victory.
Delphos Jefferson outgained Ada in total yards, 389 to 335. The Wildcats crushed the Bulldogs on the ground, rushing for 318 yards to Ada’s 70.
Bulldog quarterback Seth Conley finished the game 18 of 27 for 265 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. He also added 51 yards on the ground and a score.
“Mr. Friday Night” Chase Sumner led the Bulldog receivers, pulling down 11 grabs for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson Conrad added 4 catches for 87 yards and two scores.
Ada once again heads on the road this Friday night to take on league rival Spencerville. The Bearcats (2-2, 1-0) are coming off a 27-20 overtime victory over Allen East. Game time is 7 pm.
