The 1953 Covington Buccaneers recorded six wins in nine games under the guidance of first-year head coach Bob Wion.
1953 Covington Buccaneers: Row 1 - Lewis Deeter, Howard Anderson, Larry Via, Doug Diltz, Kenny Shefbuch, Jim Rench, Arlen Idle. Row 2 - Tom Baker, Don Martin, Jim Minnich, Herb Wackler, Bob Tobias, Kenny Dowty, Don Wells, Wayne Ringelspaugh, Bill Young, Dick Via, Bill Knick. Row 3 - Blair Irvin, Assistant Coach, Neil Clark, Jim Finfrock, Dick Kuhnle, John Rench, Dick Rhoades, Chuck Ingle, Bud Feeser, Bud Helman, Bob Fenner, Jack Hershey, Bob Wion, Coach. Row 4 - Bruce Drees, Tony Chrowl, Terry Longendelpher, Roger Henry, Keith Tobias, Jim Owen, Ralph Mutzner. Row 5 - David Alexander, Jim Carder, Richard McMaken, Managers.
Coach Bob Wion
Under the guidance of first year Head Coach, Bob Wion, and Assistant Coach, Blair Irvin, the 1953 Covington Buccaneers had a fine season. This year Covington ran up against stiffer opposition due to the fact they played independent football. However, their change from a straight T to the split T formation made for a speedier offense and brought them to a record of six wins and three defeats.
Coming off of a perfect season in 1952 under former coach Paul Devine, the Buccs started out very well as they opened with two straight wins; a 38-0 victory over Enon and a 32-14 win over Piqua Catholic.
Unfortunately, two straight losses followed to Dayton Oakwood, 20-12, and Vandalia, 47-18.
Covington rebounded the following week with a 27-13 win over Versailles and then squeaked out a 13-6 win over West Milton.
Tipp City handed the Buccs their final defeat of the season in a close battle. Covington managed to score 26 points on the evening, but surrendered 30 points to the powerful Tipp City offense.
With the losses behind them, the Buccs closed out the season the way they started; with two straight wins. This time the wins came against rival Bradford, 13-6, and Brookville, 18-14.
Leading the way for a solid Buccaneer team was Bob Tobias, Dick Via, Kenny Shefbuch, Ralph Mutzner, Kenny Dowty, Doug Diltz, Don Wells, Roger Henry, Don Martin, and a group of youngsters who contributed along the way.
(Images obtained from the 1954 Covington High School Yearbook.)
1953 BUCCS - 6-3
OPPONENT
SCORE
Eaton
38-0
Piqua Catholic
32-14
Dayton Oakwood
12-20
Vandalia
18-47
Versailles
27-13
West Milton
13-6
Tipp City
26-30
Bradford
13-6
Brookville
18-14
Key Performers - top to bottom/left to right: Dick Via, Kenny Shefbuch, Herb Wackler, Ralph Mutzner, Kenny Dowty, Doug Diltz, Don Wells, Roger Henry, Don Martin.
1953 Covington Coaches: Mr. Blair Irvin, Mr. Robert Wion, Mr. William Minty.
Homecoming: Row 1 - Dona Nicholas, Rose Ann Miller, Eileen Fisher, Joan Colbert, Alic Flory, Barbara O'Roark, Pat Spillars, Doris Fisher, Joanne Alexander. Row 2 - Don Martin, Tom Barker, David Spencer, Herb Wackler, Bob Tobias, Larry Via, Bud Feeser, Kenny Shefbuch, Kenny Dowty.