1960: BUCCS ROMP OVER HAPLESS TIPP CITY

  • Post category:1960 SEASON
Covington’s Doug Murray fights for extra yards in a 42-13 win over Tipp City in the season opener.

September 9, 1960 – Tipp City
The 1960 Pigskin Parade opened, and proved fruitful Friday night, to the Covington Buccaneers as they fashioned a 42-13 triumph over the Tipp City Red Devils at Tipp’s Memorial Stadium.

Using a well balanced attack, a determined defensive element, and a general team effort, the Buccs dominated the game in its entirety, used the forward pass effectively, broke loose their scatbacks, turned in a brilliant goal line stand and unveiled the promise of an exciting season for Covington football fans.

Although denting the scoring column first, and in the opening minutes of the game, Tipp’s thunder was short-lived as Coach Blair Irvin’s diversified offense manufactured four successive touchdowns and left the gridiron with a 28 to 7 halftime advantage.

The Red Devils scored the first time they had possession of the ball, via the recovery of a Covington fumble on their own 26, when Mike Brayshall galloped 74 yards untouched in the early minutes of the game. Evan’s placement was good and Tipp led 7-0.

Nine plays later, after a 36-yard Jerry Fessler to Tom Iddings pass play, the Buccs took a lead they never relinquished when Bob Hartley circled left end from five yards away for the TD and then passed to Doug Murrey for the conversion.

Covington recovered a Tipp fumble on the Red Devil’s 25 and turned the miscue into a touchdown with a Fessler to Murray aerial that netted 30 yards. Hartley passed to Steve Wells for the conversion shortly before the quarter ended with Covington on the long end of a 16-7 count.

Early in the second period, after an exchange of the ball, the Buccaneers, in 10 plays, moved 70 yards and sent Bob Hartley crashing through the middle from six yards our to run the score to 22-7 after an attempted pass conversion failed. Minutes later the pattern repeated as Hartley again smashed through the middle of the Tipp defense for seven yards and a touchdown. An end sweep for extra points fell short and the half ended, 28-7.

A rejuvenated Tipp team exploded with the opening of the second half and in six plays after the kickoff, marched to the Covington two-yard line before the Buccs tightened and pushed them back to the nine and took possession on downs. On the first play from scrimmage, Doug Murray bolted around right end for 91 yards and Covington’s fifth touchdown. A pass conversion attampt failed, Covington ,led 34-7 as Coach Irvin emptied the bench with substitutions to finish the third period.

Early in the fourth quarter, Gene Floyd broke loose with a 60-yard romp for Tipp’s second and final score. The plunge for points-after failed as Tipp’s offensive ended, and was erased on the following kickoff when Gordon McMaken gathered in the pigskin on his own 15 and raced 85 yards for the final touchdown of the contest. Hartley passed to Iddings for the conversion and the game ended, 42-13.

Covington receiver Steve Wells #82 battles a Tipp City defender for a pass thrown by Jerry Fessler.