By Dusty Donley
Photos by Cort Reynolds
Behind a formidable rushing attack, visiting Lima Central Catholic opened up a 21-point first quarter lead last Friday night and never trailed in the game, defeating the Bulldogs, 41-21. The Thunderbirds amassed over 400 yards on the ground, as three different running backs found the end zone in the victory. The loss drops Ada to 2-1 on the season.
SEE BOX SCORE BELOW -
Nickiya Williams opened the Thunderbird first quarter scoring with a 61-yard touchdown run on LCC’s first possession. Ron Banks’ extra point gave the T-Birds an early 7-0 lead.
Minutes later, LCC again found the end zone as quarterback Brendan Stolly connected with Michael Riepenhoff for a 33-yard score. Banks’ PAT extended the T-Bird lead to 14-0 with just under seven minutes to play in the opening quarter.
Following a stalled Bulldog drive, Williams would once again find pay dirt on the ground, rumbling in for a 2-yard score. Banks’ extra point pushed the LCC lead to 21-0 with 2:20 still remaining in the first quarter.
Senior quarterback Seth Conley and the Ada offense began to mount a comeback on the ensuing Bulldog possession. Starting at their own 14-yard line, Conley would march his team down the field on a drive capped by Senior Aaron Everhart’s 4-yard touchdown plunge. Everhart would add the extra point, making the score 21-7 with just over 11 minutes to play in the first half.
Later in the quarter, a fumble recovery following a botched LCC punt return gave Conley and the Bulldogs the ball deep in Thunderbird territory. The senior gunslinger would capitalize on the turnover, connecting with Sophomore Phil Coulson for a 10-yard touchdown. Everhart’s PAT was blocked, leaving LCC with the 21-13 lead they would take into the halftime locker room.
Both defenses pitched a shutout in the third, but the LCC ground game took over the fourth quarter, scoring three times to seal the game for the Thunderbirds. Logan Shultz found the end zone early in the period, scoring on a 14-yard run. Banks’ extra point extended the LCC lead to 28-13 with 11:51 to play in the game.
LCC would strike again a short time later as Thunderbird back Shaun Thomas broke loose and rumbled 52 yards for the score. Another Banks PAT ballooned the T-Bird lead to 35-13.
The Bulldogs were also able to find the end zone on the ground when Conley plunged in for a 2-yard quarterback keeper midway through the quarter. The Ada offense dug into their bag of tricks on the point after as “Mr. Friday Night” Chase Sumner tossed a successful two-point conversion pass to senior Jackson Conrad, cutting LCC’s lead to 35-21.
The Thunderbirds would find the end zone one final time late in the game as Shaun Thomas slid in for a 20-yard touchdown. Banks would miss the extra point, giving us our 41-21 final score.
LCC out gained the Bulldogs in total yards, 451 to 263. The T-Birds crushed Ada on the ground, racking up 403 yards, while holding the Bulldogs to -17.
Bulldog quarterback Seth Conley finished the game 29 of 56 for 250 yards, one touchdown and an interception to go along with one rushing touchdown.Jackson Conrad paced the Bulldog receivers with 6 grabs for 84 yards. Chase Sumner added 11 catches for 76 yards.
The Bulldogs open conference play this Friday night as they go on the road to take on defending NWC champion Delphos Jefferson. The Wildcats (2-1) are coming off a 54-20 drubbing of Paint Valley. Game time is 7 pm.
Photos by Cort Reynolds
• Ada junior center Noah Mattson prepares to snap the ball in the
Bulldog home loss to LCC last Friday.
• Energetic Ada senior linebacker Ethan Swaney pursues a Thunderbird
ballcarrier in the Bulldog loss to LCC.
• The hitting was hard in the annual Ada/LCC gridiron battle last
Friday, won by the Thunderbirds
