By Dusty Donley
For a third straight week, it was the superb play of the defense that propelled Ada to a league win as the host Bulldogs shut-out the Paulding Panthers 44-0.
The hard-nosed Ada defensive unit celebrated Homecoming by holding the Panthers to a measly 39 yards of total offense.
The victory extends Ada's win streak to three games, improving their record to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Northwest Conference.
Neither team found the end zone in the first quarter, but the next 12 minutes were a completely different story as the Bulldog offense racked up 21 points in the second quarter.
With the offense struggling due to inclement weather, it was the Bulldog special teams unit that made the play of the game, helping to secure a 14-13 Ada road victory over the Crestview Knights. The tough Northwest Conference win moves the Bulldogs to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the NWC.
Dreadful weather conditions wreaked havok on both offenses as neither team was able to find a groove early in the game. With Ada consistently shutting down Crestview's potent running game for most of the first quarter, the Knights would turn to the arm of quarterback Dylan Grandstaff.
Ohio Northern overcame four turnovers and a 17-point third quarter deficit to post a 30-27 victory at No. 11-ranked John Carroll on a cold and rainy Saturday afternoon at Don Shula Stadium.
The Polar Bears improve to 3-1 overall and are 2-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, while the Blue Streaks fall to 3-1, 2-1.
Freshman Will Freed hit senior Justin McCray on a 35-yard TD pass on a 4th-and-20 play with 4:22 left in the game to give the Polar Bears their only lead of the day at 30-27.
Bluffton Family Recreation is accepting teams for its inaugural sixth grade boys’ and girls’ tip-off tournament in December, according to Joseph Beagle, director.
Boys’ division play is Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Girls’ division play is Sunday, Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. All games are at BFR, 216 Snider Road, Bluffton.
Registration fee per team is $200. Registration takes place now through Nov. 30. There is an eight-team limit in each division and three games are guaranteed during the tournaments.
Bluffton Family Recreation will hold fifth and sixth grade girls’ volleyball tournaments on two consecutive weekends in November, according to Joseph Beagle, director.
A fifth grade tournament is Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7-8. A sixth grade tournament is Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14-15. Matches are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The cost per team is $200. The tournament has three guaranteed games with random seeding. All matches are at BFR, 215 Snider Road, Bluffton.
Teams may register on line at www.bfronline.net between Oct. 1 and Oct. 30. For more information contact Bluffton Family Recreation at 419-358-4150.
