By Dusty Donley
The injury plagued Bulldog’s losing skid continued this past Friday night as they traveled to Bluffton and suffered their fifth consecutive defeat. The Pirates built a 28-0 first half lead and cruised to a 43-14 final. The loss drops Ada to 1-5 in the Northwest Conference and 2-7 overall.
Ada was able to find the end zone twice in the second half. The first score came on a quarterback keeper as junior Phillip Coulson scampered in for a 7-yard touchdown with just under eight minutes left in the third quarter. The Bulldogs struck again early in the fourth quarter when sophomore Zac Swaney took the Bluffton kickoff 85 yards to pay dirt. Coulson added a successful two-point conversion run to give Ada their 14 point total for the game.
Bluffton out-gained the Bulldogs in total offense, 466 yards to 220. They finished with a massive advantage on the ground, as the Pirates rushed for 433 yards compared to Ada’s 132.
Bulldog quarterback Phillip Coulson finished the game 8 of 17 for 88 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. He did most of his damage on the ground, rumbling for 114 yards and a score on 21 carries.
The Bulldogs finish the 2018 football campaign this Friday night when they make the short trip to face league rival Allen East. The Mustangs (4-5, 3-3 N.W.C.) are coming off a 28-14 loss to Columbus Grove. Ada found themselves in a must-win to get in situation heading into their final game last season. The Bulldogs responded by defeating the Mustangs 41-0. Game time is 7pm.
