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Friday, November 20, 2009

Ada to take another crack at St. John's
Interstate Court Plaza - Findlay - I-75 Exit #159
By JAMIE BAKER

Staff Writer

Call it the regional rematch.

That's what's on tap Saturday at Donnell Stadium as Ada takes on Delphos St. John's for the Division VI, Region 22 championship in a 7 p.m. game at Donnell Stadium.

Not only will the two teams be battling for the regional title for the second straight year, it will also be a match up between the top teams in the final Associated Press Division VI state football poll.

The Blue Jays (12-0), the No.1 team in the final poll, knocked off the Bulldogs (12-0), the state's No.2 team, 38-28 in last year's regional final at Donnell Stadium.

Ada is coming off perhaps its best defensive performance of the season in last week's 14-7 regional semifinal victory over Carey.

The Bulldogs did allow more than 300 yards rushing to Carey, but they forced three fumbles and intercepted a pass and allowed just a single touchdown late in the game on an 80-yard lateral.

Aaron Weyer, a 6-foot, 200-pound junior who was first team all-district pick at linebacker, is the backbone of Ada's defensive unit. He leads the team with 122 tackles. Weyer has also posted 11 quarterback sacks, intercepted a pass and caused one fumble.

Alex Weber (74 tackles, one interception, three fumble recoveries), Heath Jackson (68 tackles, five interceptions) and Matt McBride (64 tackles) have also starred on defense for the Bulldogs.

But Ada's defense will have to step up its game even more this week as it will be facing a Delphos St. John's offense that has had dominant performances in playoff wins over Arlington (56-0) and Leipsic (34-7) the past two weeks.

The Blue Jays have offensive weapons galore.

It all starts with quarterback Wes Ulm who has rushed for 832 yards on 118 carries with 10 touchdowns. He can also throw the ball when needed as he has completed 59-of-99 passes for 1,088 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The Bulldogs will also probably see a healthy dose of Jordan Leininger running the ball. Leininger has rushed for 1,298 yards on 166 carries and scored 27 touchdowns. He has also grabbed 14 passes for 218 yards and two scores. Teammate Blake Williams has added 561 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.

The Blue Jays' Tyler Bergfeld is Ulm's favorite target. He has hauled in 17 passes for 476 yards and six scores.

Ada has plenty of offensive firepower too.

Jackson has made a successful transition from receiver to quarterback after starter Mitchell Faine, who passed for 312 yards against the Blue Jays last season, went down with a season-ending injury in Week 5 against Bluffton.

All Jackson has done is connect on 111-of-185 passes for 928 yards with 17 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has also rushed for 864 yards on 127 carries while scoring 24 touchdowns,

When Jackson isn't running around creating havoc running the football, he'll be looking to throw to sophomore Konnor Baker (62 catches, 1,073 yards, 10 touchdowns), junior Alex Weber (40 rec, 591 yds, 11 TDs) or McBride (36 rec, 571 yds, 5 TDs).

Defensively for St John's, Chris and Joel Pohlman lead the way with 100 and 95 tackles, respectively. A.J. Klausing and Bergfeld have each intercepted four passes for a Blue Jays defense that is yielding just 7.8 points per contest.

According to the OHSAA Website, the winner will take on either Norwalk St. Paul (12-0) or Wynford (12-0) in next week's Division VI state semifinals.

Baker: 419-422-5151,

Send an e-mail to Jamie Baker


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