October 15, 1960 – Covington
Playing a cautious, uninteresting and almost listless first half, Coach Blair Irvin’s Covington Buccaneers managed an 18-0 first half lead, caught fire and erupted for a 30-point third period, and defeated the Versailles Tigers 62-0 Friday evening before a huge Homecoming crowd at Smith Field.
Invincible, impregnable, almost perfect…that’s Coach Blair Irvin’s defensive unit that gave Covington their sixth straight victory and fifth consecutive shutout of the current football campaign. The Versailles Tigers, despite the lopsided score, were formidable opponents, played the game to the end, and were “victims of the breaks” the evening long. They are a better ball club than the score indicates.
A 59-yard Hartley to Wells pass play started Covington’s scoring parade after five and a half minutes of the first period had elapsed. Pass for points-after failed, but the ice was broken 6-0. Four minutes later, after recovering a Tiger fumble on the Versailles 37, the Buccs had another TD when Doug Murray went 19 yards on a double reverse. McMacken’s off-tackle slant fell short by inches, but Covington commanded a 12-0 game at the end of the first quarter.
The Buccs lost a touchdown in the second period due to a clipping penalty, but roared back three plays later as Bob Hartley carried the pigskin and four defensive men 8 yards straight up the middle. The center pass fumbled on the conversion attempt and the first half ended with Covington holding an 18-0 advantage.
Seven plays after the second half kickoff; Doug Murray slanted off right tackle, broke to the outside and raced 39 yards for the touchdown. The Buccs fourth try for conversion points failed, but the tempo of the game increased as Covington pulled away 24-0. Minutes later, after the Tigers were forced to put, Gordon McMacken electrified the fans with an 80-yard touchdown jaunt, Bob Hartley swept the right side as the gap widened, 32-0.
Versailles, unable to move Irvin’s defensive line, went to the air in search of a touchdown, but their efforts backfired when McMacken intercepted on the Tiger’s 30 and scampered into the end zone. Hartley’s conversion attempt around the right side failed when the burly fullback ran into an official, but the quarter ended with Covington on the long end of a 38-0 score.
Irvin’s reserves got into the scoring act early in the fourth period after an intercepted pass. Looker scored from the one and Warren Smith swept right end for points-after with less than two minutes gone in the final stanza. The Tigers, ever on the defensive, held the ball for but three line plays and punted to their 48, only to have Gordon McMaken return it for his second punt return for a touchdown. Hartley tossed to Tom Iddings for the conversion that put Covington ahead 54-0 with nine minutes left in the game.
And to the Tigers’ dismay, it was only moments later that Wayne Ingle blocked a Versailles punt, lineman Sam Bashore grabbed the leather at the 12 and waltzed into the end zone. Looker tallied conversion points on an end sweep and the game ended 62-0.
FROM THE PRESSBOX:
The Buccaneers registered 13 first downs, the Versailles Tigers 10… Covington attempted 4 passes, completing two, Versailles went to the air 29 times, completing 11 and had 3 stolen, two of which resulted in touchdowns… the Buccs were penalized 55 yards, Versailles 30.
