1952: COVINGTON ROLL OVER CAVALIERS, 32-0

  • Post category:1952 SEASON
1952 Covington Buccaneers: Row 1 – Doug Diltz, Leonard Wood, Bob Tobias, Kenny Shefbuch, Doug Alexander. Row 2 – Coach Paul Devins, Don Zimmerman, Don Martin, Herb Wackler, Bill Frey, Bob Johnston, Dick Via, Ronnie Finfrock, Coach Richard Wintringham. Row 3 – Jim Rench, Bill Knick, Bill Young, Jim Minnich, Kent Hitchcock, Jim Boehringer, Eldon Baker. Row 4 – Bud Feeser, Ralph Mutzner, Jerry Milhouse, Trafford Ringelspaugh, Dick Rhoades, Darrell Helman, Lewis Deeter. Row 5 – Manager David Alexander, Arlen Idle, Larry Via, Tom Baker, Bob Mendenhall, Chuck Ingle, Manager Richard McMaken.

Despite Thursday night’s downpour of rain, Covington’s Smith Field was in excellent condition Friday night as Coach Paul Devine’s Covington Buccaneers outclassed a hapless Piqua Catholic eleven 32-0 in a Tri-County League game witnessed by some 2,000 fans.

In a contest marred by penalties, particularly clipping infractions, the powerful Buccs racked up 510 rushing yards to the Piquad’s 190 to score their second straight win of the season.

The Irish sorely missed their ace quarterback, George Brading, who worked only with the defensive platoon. Brading injured his throwing arm in practice and was replaced in the lineup by young Tom Kiefer.

Covington scored its first touchdown in the first five minutes of play on a sensational run by Kenny Shefbuch who rambled 80 yards to paydirt. Alexander’s plunge for the conversion was stopped short of the goal line.

The remainder of the first period was given over to a “fumble derby” as the pigskin changed hands five times in fumbles in five minutes of play.

As the period ended, the Buccs were on the march again using power plays by Leonard Woods and Doug Diltz. Seconds later, Woods crossed the goal line on an off-tackle smash, but missed the conversion attempt.

The Cavaliers, unable to move on the ground, took to the air but found that equally useless and were forced to punt to Covington as the half ended.

As the third quarter began the Irish offensive again proved futile and they punted to the Buccs who returned to the Piqua 35-yard line. Five plays from scrimmage moved the ball to the seven from where Jim Alexander skirted left end for the touchdown.

Holding was called against the Cavaliers on the first try-for-point but on the second attempt, Woods passed to Ronnie Finfrock to run the score to 19-0.

Once again the Irish took to the air, but the threat was stopped by Bob Johnson, Bucc linebacker, intercepted a pass at midfield and shot all the way down the sidelines to score. Woods ducked around right end on the conversion to give Covington a 26-0 lead.

Covington’s final tally came on a sustained drive in the fourth period, climaxed by Doug Diltz, who skipped around left end from 13 yards out. Woods’ conversion kick was blocked.

The Devine dynasty continued their march to gridiron glory mainly on the sparkling defensive play of the line which consistently pushed the Irish back and then gouged out great holes for the Covington ball carriers to run through.

Covington, although tied twice last year, last tasted defeat on November 3, 1950 when Piqua Catholic scored a 19-0 win at Roosevelt Stadium in Piqua.

Scoring By Quarters:
Covington …….6….6….14…..6 – 32
Piqua Cath ……0….0…..0……0 – 0