September 23, 1960 – Covington
Coach Blair Irvin’s Covington Buccaneers, fast becoming the scourge of the Valley, turned their third football outing into their third consecutive victory Friday night at Smith Field with a 56-0 rout of the Tecumseh Arrows.
Functioning as a unit, Blair’s Buccaneers fashioned two touchdowns in the first quarter, exploded for a 20-point second period, added 14 more by the three-quarter mark and tallied once again in the final stanza…all eight touchdowns coming without the aid of a single forward pass. Covington’s only aerial, with the exception of conversions, was a last minute touchdown toss which was nullified by an illegal procedure penalty.
Not to be denied honor was Irvin’s defensive element, truly a gem to watch, which completely contained the Arrows the evening long. Without the aid of a pass interference penalty, a lineman catching a kickoff and a recovered fumble, Tecumseh would never have crossed the midfield marker. Tecumseh’s finest effort came on a recovered fumble on the Bucc’s 36, which they moved to the 25. But four plays later they found themselves back on the 38 without possession of the ball.
Fullback Bob Hartley, Covington’s bid for an All-Ohio berth, opened the scoring less than five minutes after the kickoff with a 17-yard sprint around right end. The versatile fullback then tossed to Steve Wells for two points and the rout began, 8-0. Four minutes later, Doug Murray bolted over right quard from the three, Hartley passed to Tom Iddings, and Covington held a 16-0 first period lead.
Doug Murray’s cross-buck from six yards out gave Covington a 22-0 advantage early in the second period, as Hartley’s pass for conversion points was broken up. After and exchange of downs, the Buccs controlled the pigskin, first and 10 on the Tecumseh 49. On the first play from scrimmage, Bob Hartley swept right end and went the distance. The pass for points-after failed but Covington moved away, 28-0.
Two minutes later, Hartley intercepted an Arrow forward pass at midfield and returned it to the Tecumseh 41. On the next play, the Buccs scored again as Doug Murray, on a neatly executed double reverse, galloped 41 yards untouched for the TD. Hartley skirted right end for conversion points as Covington furthered their lead 36-0 as the half ended.
Tecumseh kicked to Covington to open the second half and six plays later, Gordon McMaken raced around right end, cut back inside and galloped 33 yards for a touchdown. A Hartley to Iddings pass play netted two points and score stood, 44-0. Covington recovered their own on-side kick second later on the Tecumseh 47. Nine plays later, quarterback John Laughman sneaked over from the one; a plunge for points failed and the scoreboard read, 50-0.
The Buccs’ final tally was realized on a 43-yard thrust by sophomore John Holsinger; a pass for points-after failed and the game wound up – Covington 56, Tecumseh 0.
FROM THE PRESSBOX:
Irvin substituted and platooned freely; his reserves getting valuable experience…not to go unnoticed is the leadership of quarterback Jerry Fessler…crisp downfield blocking and aggressive defensive line play…plus a general, unified team effort that has all the horses pulling in the same direction. The Buccs manufactured 15 first downs, Tecumseh 7; the Arrows threw 26 passes, completed 4 and lost 3 by interception. Both teams fumbled once and lost the ball; Covington lost 55 yards via penalties, the Arrows 5. Next week, Covington hosts Carlise at Smith Field…Don’t miss it!