By Dusty Donley
Ada Bulldogs face a stiff challenge on the road Friday night when they take on league foe Delphos Jefferson (8-0, 5-0). The Wildcats are currently ranked 6th in the latest Division VI AP poll. The Bulldogs still have playoff aspirations, but they'll need to win at least one of the next two in order to ensure they don't miss the post season for the first time since 2005. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Early Mustang turnovers and a monster game from senior quarterback Matthew Wilcox helped the Ada Bulldogs compiled 494 yards of total offense in route to a 45-14 thrashing of visiting Allen East. The Northwest Conference victory raises Ada's record to 6-2 overall and 5-1 in the conference.
In his final home game, Wilcox notched his second highest passing total of the season, throwing for 399 yards and 6 touchdowns. He added 87 yards on the ground and another score.
The Mustangs looked good early, effectively running behind their monster offensive line, but a Tanner Stippich fumble on their first drive gave the ball to the Bulldogs on their own 48.
Four plays later, Wilcox found senior Hunter Waller on a beautiful 22 yard touchdown toss. The extra point was blocked, leaving the score 6-0.
Allen East took to the ground again on their second drive, but as with the first, a costly fumble gave the ball back to the Bulldogs on their own 43.
Three plays later, Wilcox hit senior Austin Dumbaugh who proceeded to juke and jive his way to a 29 yard touchdown with less than a minute to play in the first quarter. Ada's two-point try was unsuccessful, leaving the score 12-0.
The Mustangs responded on their next drive, opening the second quarter with an amazing Stippich to Cole Basham 28 yard touchdown lob. The two-point conversion was no good, making the score 12-6 with only 8 ticks off the clock.
On its next drive, the Bulldogs wasted no time, as Wilcox delivered Dumbaugh his second score of the game, a 5 yard touchdown toss after just under two minutes of play. Ada attempted two and again failed, leaving the score 18-6 with just under 10 minutes to play in the first half.
After the Bulldog defense forced a three and out, the offense took over and again quickly found pay dirt, as the shifty Wilcox scrambled his way to a 38 yard touchdown. The Bulldogs again went for two, this time with success, increasing their lead to 26-6.
Both teams traded possession to end the quarter, as the half closed on a missed Dumbaugh 33 yard field goal attempt.
Ada picked up right where they left off in the first half, taking the opening kickoff and rolling down the field in 8 plays, scoring on a 10 yard Wilcox pass to freshman Owen Conley. The Dumbaugh extra-point was good, giving the Bulldogs a 33-6 lead.
Wilcox again found Dumbaugh close to six minutes later when the senior wide out broke open a short screen pass and took it 51 yards to the house for his third TD reception of the day. The extra-point was blocked, leaving the score 39-6 with just over four minutes to play in the third.
After stopping the Mustangs on a fourth down run, the Bulldogs faced a fourth down of their own to begin the fourth quarter. Going for it, Wilcox tossed his sixth and final touchdown pass of the day, a 31 yard gem to junior Luke Long-Green. The Bulldog extra point was again blocked, making the score 45-6.
Allen East would go on to add one final fourth quarter score, giving us a 45-14 final.
Ada amassed 494 yards of total offense compared to 265 for Allen East.
Matthew Wilcox finished the game 27of 39 for 399 yards passing, 6 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.
Wilcox also led the team in rushing, going for 87 yards on 7 carries and a score.
Austin Dumbaugh led the receivers with 9 receptions for 123 yards and 3 scores.
