By Dusty Donley
In a must win game to keep their playoff dreams alive, the Bulldogs lit up the scoreboard last Friday night, defeating the visiting Allen East Mustangs 41-0. With the victory, the Bulldogs finished the 2017 gridiron campaign 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the NWC.
The Bulldogs opened up the scoring with just under four minutes to play in the first quarter when senior Aaron Everhart rumbled in for the 5-yard touchdown. Everhart’s extra point attempt was blocked, leaving the Bulldogs with a 6-0 lead.
Minutes later, the Bulldogs would find the end zone for a second time as senior Seth Conley connected with his favorite target, senior Chase Sumner for a 5-yard score. Conley would then call his own number, scampering in for a 2-point conversion, extending the Ada lead to 14-0 with 51 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Conley would put his dual-threat quarterback skills on display early in the second quarter as the senior ripped off a 94-yard scoring jaunt on a designed quarterback running play. Everhart’s kick was good, giving the Bulldogs a 21-0 lead with just under nine minutes to play in the second quarter.
Solid defense would keep both teams out of the end zone for the remained of quarter, sending the Bulldogs into the halftime locker room with a 21-0 lead.
The Bulldogs would keep the offensive momentum rolling as Everhart juked and jived his way to a 65-yard touchdown run on Ada’s first offensive play of the second half. The do-it-all senior’s point after kick was good, pushing the Ada lead to 28-0 with only 49 ticks off the clock.
The Ada offense stalled for the remainder of the third quarter, but Conley would reignite the fire early in the fourth as the senior gunslinger once again connected with “Mr. Friday Night” Chase Sumner for a 55-yard touchdown. Everhart’s extra point kick was good, giving the Bulldogs a comfortable 35-0 lead with 11:47 left in the game.
Conley would add another passing touchdown late in the contest, connecting with Everhart for a 15-yard score. The two-point conversion attempt was no good, leaving us with the 41-0 score that would ultimately be our final.
The Bulldogs crushed the Mustangs in total yards, 360 to 80. Ada finished the game with a huge advantage on the ground, rushing for 241 yards to Allen East’s 18.
Bulldog quarterback Seth Conley finished the game 8 of 22 for 119 yards and 3 touchdowns. The dual-threat QB also rushed for 124 yards on 12 carries and a score.
Aaron Everhart finished the game with 116 yards on 10 carries and two scores. Chase Sumner led the receivers with 6 grabs for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns.
With the victory, the Bulldogs did their part to make post season play for the 11th time in 12 seasons, but still needed a win from Fremont St. Joe to get in. The Crimson Streaks defeated Sandusky Central Catholic 27-13 on Saturday night, allowing Ada to slip into the playoffs with the #8 seed. The Bulldogs will take on the #1 seeded Liberty Benton Eagles this Friday night at a location TBA. Game time is 7:30
