By Dusty Donley
For the second time in three weeks, the Ada High School football Bulldogs marched into Stadium Park and defeated the Wildcats of Delphos Jefferson. Led by stand-out senior Matthew Wilcox, the seventh-seeded Bulldogs scored 12 fourth quarter points to bring home a hard fought 27-22, Division VI first round victory over the second-seeded Wildcats.
With the win, the Bulldogs lift their record to 8-3 and garner their seventh consecutive first round playoff victory. Up next, the sixth-seeded Crestview Knights (9-2), who defeated Ada 63-12 in week seven and advanced to round two with an upset victory over third seeded Lima Central Catholic, 48-35. The game is scheduled for Friday, November 15th at Wapakoneta.
Delphos came out of the gates with a flurry, as Wildcat Tyler Mox returned the opening kickoff 70 yards down to the Ada 10. The Bulldog defense stiffened, forcing the Wildcats to settle for a 25 yard Kurt Wollenhaupt field goal, giving them an early 3-0 lead.
The Bulldog offense came out firing on their first drive, advancing the ball to the Jefferson 16 behind the arm of senior quarterback Matthew Wilcox, but two runs for loss set up a fourth and 10. A screen pass to sophomore Blake Ansley fell short and the Wildcats took over on downs.
Delphos drove the ball into Ada territory, but a devastating sack by senior Hunter Waller on Wildcat quarterback Austin Jettinghoff forced a fumble, which was recovered by junior Luke Long-Green on the Bulldog 30.
Wilcox and the Bulldog offense took over and marched 70 yards on 7 plays, finding pay dirt on a pretty, 30 yard Wilcox to Spencer Archer touchdown toss. Jackson Secor's extra point was good, giving the Bulldogs a 7-3 lead with just under a minute to play in the first quarter.
Strong defense forced punts by both teams, but the Wildcat offense got in gear, advancing deep into Ada territory behind a 57 yard Jettinghoff to Ross Thompson completion. Three plays later, NWC back of the year, Zavier Buzard rumbled 7 yards for the score. Wollenhaupt's kick gave Delphos a 10-7 lead with 3:24 left in the half.
Wilcox was intercepted on the next Ada drive, but the Bulldog defense forced a Wildcat punt. A six yard Blake Ansley run ended the half with Delphos still leading 10-7.
The Bulldogs took the ball in the second half and advanced to the 37 yard line, but faced a fourth and one, deep in their own territory. Ada brought out the punt team, but to everyone's surprise it was a fake, as they snapped the ball to Ansley, who smashed ahead for the first down. The Bulldogs proceeded to march deep into Jefferson territory, where Wilcox hit senior Austin Dumbaugh on a 12 yard touchdown toss on fourth and 10. Wilcox's two point run gave the Bulldogs a 15-10 lead with 6:31 left in the third.
The Wildcat offense responded with a 10-play, 68 yard drive, capped by a one yard, Zavier Buzard touchdown run. Jefferson went for two, but Jettinghoff's pass fell incomplete, leaving the score 16-15 with just over two minutes left in the third.
Ada took over on offense, advancing down to the Jefferson 34, but Wilcox came up lame when he collided with a yard marker. Austin Dumbaugh took over at quarterback and the Bulldogs turned to Ansley and the run game, advancing the ball to the four. The gritty Wilcox re-entered the game and called his own number, running up the gut for a four yard score. The two point conversion attempt was no good, leaving Ada with a 21-16 lead with 10:52 left in the game.
The ensuing kickoff hit a Jefferson player and was recovered by the Bulldogs, but strong Wildcat defense forced an Ada punt. Jefferson advanced the ball deep into Ada territory, but ultimately faced a fourth and four on the Ada 9.
Instead of handing the ball to Buzard, the Wildcats opted to pass and Jettinghoff's toss was tipped and intercepted by Wilcox at the goal line. The shifty senior juked and jived his way the length of the field, scoring on a 95 yard interception return. Ada's two point attempt was no good, leaving the Bulldogs with a 27-16 lead with just over three minutes to play.
Watching the game slip away, the Wildcats took the ball and marched down the field with a purpose, going 76 yards in six plays. They found the end zone on a 13 yard, Jettinghoff to Jordan McCann touchdown throw. The two point try was no good, leaving the score 27-22 with 1:32 left.
The following Jefferson on-sides kick rolled out of bounds and the Bulldogs were able to run out the clock, sealing a 27-22 victory.
The Wildcats out-gained the Bulldogs 479 yards to 342. Matthew Wilcox went 23 of 29 for 235 yards with two scores and an interception. Wilcox also led the way on the ground, rushing for 51 yards on 19 carries and a score. Austin Dumbaugh led the receivers with 60 yards on 6 catches and a score.
