By Dusty Donley
Upper Scioto Valley kept it interesting for two quarters, but ultimately couldn't keep up with the high octane Ada offense as the Bulldogs scored 42 points over the final 35 minutes, giving them a hard fought 69-28 road victory.
Sophomore gunslinger Seth Conley picked up right where he left off last season, throwing for 420 yards and 8 touchdowns in the non-conference win.
The Ada offense didn't waste time as Conley notched his first TD pass of the season, a 13-yard strike to Senior Blake Ansley, with just under 10 minutes to play in the first quarter. Reliable Bulldog kicker Aaron Everhart's point after boot was good, giving Ada the 7-0 lead.
The Rams would respond on their first offensive possession as speedy tailback Austin Sloan took the hand-off and found the corner, rumbling 56-yards to pay dirt. A successful 2-point conversion gave the Rams their only lead of the game at 8-7.
Both defenses stepped up the intensity, forcing punts on the next two offensive possessions. A nice return by Senior Cole East coupled with a late hit penalty put the Bulldog offense deep in USV territory. They would waste no time as Conley hit Senior Slate Johansen on a 15-yard touchdown toss on the first play of the drive. The Bulldog 2-point conversion attempt was denied, leaving Ada with a 13-8 lead with just over five minutes to play in the first quarter.
The Ada defense forced another Ram punt on their next possession, but this time Bulldog Sophomore Chase Sumner slipped behind the line and blocked the kick attempt. Everhart recovered the ball in the endzone, giving the Bulldogs their third score of the first quarter. Conley hit Ansley for a 2-point conversion, giving Ada a 21-8 lead.
Down, but not out, the resourceful Rams would answer on the ensuing kickoff as Sloan fielded the ball on his own 10-yard line and sliced and diced his way to a 90-yard return score. The 2-point try was no good, making the score 21-14 with 3:10 left to play in the opening quarter.
The Bulldog offense would respond with a big play of their own as Conley hit a wide open Johansen for a 60-yard catch and carry on the initial play of the drive. Everhart's point after kick was blocked, ending an eventful first quarter with a score of 27-14.
USV would again answer, but this time it was quarterback Jason Moots making plays as the signal caller capped a nice drive with a 12-yard touchdown toss to Ram wide out Wayne Lowery. Moots would again connect with Lowery on the following 2-point conversion, inching the Rams closer at 27-22 after only 41 seconds had ticked off the second quarter clock.
USV defender Chase Rose intercepted Conley on the ensuing Bulldog drive, but Sophomore lineman Jacob Hoschak recovered a Ram fumble, giving the ball right back to the Ada offense. This time, the Sophomore quarterback unloaded his second long pass play of the game, finding Junior Owen Conley on a 71-yard touchdown toss. Conley once again hit Ansley for a 2-point conversion, making the score 35-22 with just over seven minutes to play in the second.
Conley would tack on his fifth touchdown throw of the half, a 39-yard bullet to Jordan Bailey late in the quarter. A successful Conley to Johansen 2-point conversion gave us a 43-22 halftime score.
The Rams opened the second half on a high note as Austin Sloan broke off a 48-yard touchdown scamper early in the third making the score 43-28, but it would prove to be their last trip to the end zone as the Bulldog defense stiffened the rest of the way.
Conley would add touchdown throws to Chase Sumner and Trent Jolliff as well as a second toss to Owen Conley in the second half, giving him a total of 8 for the game. Jordan Bailey would add an interception return score to give the Bulldogs a 69-28 victory.
The Bulldogs finished the game with 491 yards of total offense compared to USV's 313. The Rams out rushed the Dogs 196 yards to 71, but Ada was dominant through the air, pulling down 420 receiving yards to USV's 117.
Seth Conley completed 23 of 36 pass attempts for 420 yards, 8 touchdowns and 1 interception.
Owen Conley lead the receivers with 3 grabs for 129 yards and 2 scores. Slate Johansen pulled down 4 receptions for 114 yards and 2 scores
The Bulldogs travel to Arlington (1-0) this Friday night to take on the Red Devils.
