The 1971 Northwest Conference Championship Ada football team reunited on October 22, 2021. The reunion included 28 members of the 44 living members of the team as well as head coach Gary Ricker, assistant coach Tom Dearth and two managers.
Prior to the game, the group met for dinner. During halftime, the team and coaches were introduced to the home crowd.
Front row kneeling, L-R: Kevin Willeke, Sterling Brown, Steve Decker, Eric Archer, Carey Clum, Richard Bosse (Manager), Tom English, Assistant Coach Tom Dearth, Mike Conley, Jim Delp, Keith Westrick
At the October 22 Ada High School home football game, 28 members of the 44 living members of the 1971 NWC championship team were present as well as head coach Gary Ricker, assistant coach Tom Dearth and two managers. Associated story with captions.
Ada High School seniors Isaac Williams and Tyler Jameson were named first team All-Northwest Conference in voting conducted recently (October 2021) by the league coaches.
Bulldog juniors Carter Conley and Brendan Jameson were voted second team all-league. Conley led the Bulldogs in goals scored.
Ada junior Ethan Murphy and freshman Logan Jolliff were named honorable mention All-NWC.
Ada finished its season 7-8-3 overall and 1-2-1 (fourth) in NWC action.
Jude Spallinger of unbeaten league champion Bluffton (4-0) was voted NWC Player of the Year.
Bluffton's Steve Smucker was named NWC Coach of the Year in voting by his peers.
Ada High School junior Courtney Sumner was voted honorable mention All-Northwest Conference in voting recently (October 2021) conducted by the league coaches.
The versatile Sumner was among the team leaders in kills, digs and aces. The Lady Bulldogs finished 2-19 overall and 0-7 in the NWC.
Lincolnview senior Kendall Bollenbacher was named NWC Player of the Year.
JaNahn Evans was named NWC Coach of the Year by her peers after leading the Lancers to a third straight conference crown.
Lincolnview, Crestview and Leipsic tied for the NWC title at 7-1.
