1964 COVINGTON BUCCANEERS

The 1964 Buccaneers opened their first season in the Mad River Valley League by finishing in a first place tie with Springfield Shawnee.

1964 Covington Buccaneers: Row 1 - Monty Dysinger, Mike Tower, Mike Shaffer, Mike Beireis, Dale Kenworthy, Rick Lavy, Doug Minnich, Bob Rudy, Kent Thompson, Jim Montgomery, Tom Bitner. Row 2 - Steve Hudson, manager; Larry Schmidlapp, Steve Folkerth, John Flory. Ted Hartley, Ted Peacock, Tom Steele, Gill Carroll, John Hitchcock, Terry Dysinger, manager. Row 3 - Ed Edimiller, Chuck Deal, Bill Leeper, Mike McMaken, Paul Penny, Norman Bashore, Doug Stengel, Tom Weer, Gary Brickley, Coach Don Garman. Row 4 - Jim Stengel, Sam Woods, Paul Kenworthy, Chuck Winkle, Scott Thompson, Tim Feeser, Rick Iddings, Bill Weikert, Rick Francis, Joe Rudy, Head Coach, Tom Steele.
Tom Steele

Covington made its debut in the Mad River Valley League by gaining a tie for first place with Springfield Shawnee. The Buccs ended with a record of seven wins and two losses.

The Buccs opened the season with a disappointing 24-0 loss to Tipp City. It was the second year in a row the Red Devils manhandled the Buccs.

Like last year, Covington rebounded from defeat by defeating Bradford. In a one-sided affair, the Buccs had their way with their rivals and cruised to a 42-0 win.

Not able to maintain the momentum gained from the victory over Bradford, Covington dropped their second contest of the season in week three. This time it was to Springfield Shawnee, 22-8. The defeat would ultimately prove costly as a victory would have given Covington the league title outright.

Despite their early season adversity, the Buccs managed to run off six straight wins over the remainder of the season.

First, the Buccs won easily over Tecumseh, 50-12. Then, Covington scored 26 points in each of its next three games as they defeated Miami East, 26-14; Northeastern, 26-8; and Graham, 26-8.

After a 36-6 victory over Northwestern, the Buccs closed out the 1964 campaign with a 48-12 victory over Greenon.

Covington placed five players on the Mad River Valley League All-League team. Those players were Tom Weer, John Flory, Kent Thompson, Mike Beireis, and Rich Lavy.

(Images obtained from the 1965 Covington High School Yearbook and the Piqua Daily Call archives.)

1964 team photo provided by the Piqua Daily Call.

1964 BUCCS - 7-2

OPPONENT

SCORE

Tipp City

0-24

Bradford

42-0

Springfield Shawnee

8-22

Tecumseh

50-12

Miami East

26-14

Northeastern

26-8

Graham

26-8

Northwestern

36-6

Greenon

48-12

Coaches Don Garman, Tom Steele and Lee Morris.
Preceding each game, the Buccs huddled together for a team prayer.
Kent Thompson fights for extra yardage.
Ted Hartley #20 chases down an opposing ball carrier.
The Buccaneer defense swarms an opponent.
Kent Thompson lunges for extra yardage.
John Flora breaks down for a tackle.
The Buccaneer makes a stop in the backfield.
Chuck Deal hauls in a pass while surrounded by the defense.
The Buccaneers celebrate a big win over Miami East.
Homecoming Queen Vicki Woods receives her crown.