Aces bulldoze Warriors with ground game
By: Charlie Ihlenfeld
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AMANDA, OH (WOUB) – The 2-0 Adena Warriors traveled to the 1-1 Amanda-Clearcreek Aces. With only a week before conference play begins, both squads sought to continue the early season momentum before the battle for conference crowns begins. The Aces overcame the elements and triumphed 17-7 over Adena.
Even before the first raindrops fell, both these teams were ready to hit the ground running at the Pit. On the first play of the night, Tommy Stai took the kickoff 60 yards deep into Adena territory, but the Warriors’ defense held fast. Hayden Dunn drilled a field goal, putting Amanda-Clearcreek ahead 3-0.
The Warriors responded with an extensive drive that ended in an eight-yard touchdown run from Nathan Dreitzler. Adena pounded the rock with running backs Dreitzler and Austin Magill all night long, wearing down the Aces’ defense.
After a prolonged rain delay at the start of the second quarter, it was the Aces that struck first.
A 3rd-and-20 conversion on a fake pitch handoff to Bodie Martin put Amanda-Clearcreek on the doorstep of the goal line.
However, it was Adena who got the last laugh. Two penalties called back the Aces’ touchdowns, and a fumble on the five-yard line extinguished any hopes of scoring.
A quick three-and-out by their defense, followed by a short punt, put Amanda-Clearcreek back in the driver’s seat. Once again, they failed to capitalize as a mishandled pitch fell into the arms of Chuck Saxour.
Adena held onto to their narrow 7-3 lead entering the break.
Stai got the Aces back on track entering the third quarter. A 38-yard touchdown run from Tommy Stai gave the advantage back to Amanda-Clearcreek.
The Warriors were unable to get the ball out of their side of the field, being corralled by a stingy Aces defense throughout the night. The Warriors continued to be hamstrung by the elements and a stout run defense from the Aces.
Bodie Martin put the bow on a dominant night for Amanda-Clearcreek, breaking off a 63-yard sprint to put Adena on ice.
The 17-7 win was another test of the physical prowess of the Aces, and they will have the opportunity to prove it next week. Amanda-Clearcreek will travel to Carroll to face the Bloom-Carroll Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs have won the last four matchups, and they enter the contest 2-1 with a 31-21 win over Jonathan Alder. Adena will face conference rival Zane Trace, a team that has beaten them in their last three matchups.
Zane Trace enters week four 0-3, losing 14-8 to North Union.