NORTH HAMPTON – Coach Tom Steele’s Covington Buccaneers gained a tie for the Mad River Valley League title Friday night as they defeated the Northwestern Warriors 34-0.
In scoring their sixth shut-out in the 9 games of the current campaign, the Buccs tied with Miami East for the league crown. East defeated Springfield Shawnee 22-6 to gain their share of the title. In other MRVL action, Graham defeated Northeastern 22-8 and Tecumseh downed winless Greenon 33-8.
The tough defensive unit of the Buccaneers did their usual fine job as Covington ended league play with a 6-1 record. Their only loss of the year came at the hands of co-champion Miami East, 12-6.
Covington halfback Kent Thompson scored three touchdowns and picked up 130 yards in 16 carries and scored three touchdowns to lead all scorers. He now has scored 126 points this season and leads in area scoring.
Halfback John Flory carried 16 times for 223 yards and scored one touchdown and two PAT’s in running his season point production to 108.
Freshman fullback Bob Rudy scored the Buccs’ other touchdown. Covington has scored 334 points for the year while limiting the opposition to only 26.
Covington’s first tally came with 5:52 showing in the first period on a twisting 12-yard run by Thompson. Flory ran the PAT to give the Buccs an 8-0 lead. Thompson’s score climaxed a 58-yard drive that took six plays.
Midway in the second period Northwestern recovered a Covington fumble on their own 30 yard line. The Warriors, aided by an interference call which cost Covington 27 yards, made their deepest penetration of the night as they drove to the Buccaneer 13 yard line. On the third down, Covington defensive halfback Ted Hartley intercepted a pass thrown by Northwestern quarterback Dan Everhart.
he Buccs marched 90 yards in four plays to score their second touchdown, the final yards coming on a pass from Flory to Thompson. The PAT run failed. Flory had a 43-yard run in the drive.
With one minute remaining in the first half, Thompson intercepted a trick pass from Warrior fullback Mike Pitzer on the Northwestern 45 yard line and returned the ball to the Northwestern 28. Five plays later, Thompson scored his third touchdown of the half on a seven-yard run. Flory ran the PAT and the Buccs led 22-0 at halftime.
The Warriors defense seemed to pick up the intensity in the third period as neither team was able to score.
The Buccaneers, however, waisted little time in the fourth period as Bill Rudy scored on a one-yard plunge with 11:18 showing. The PAT pass failed.
Covington’s final score came with 6:49 showing in the final period on a 66-yard off tackle run by Flory. The run for the PAT failed and the Buccaneers led 34-0.
Covington completely dominated the game as they had 385 yards rushing, compared tom 94 for Northwestern. The Buccs also led in first downs 11-7.
Junior defensive tackle Tom Weer played excellent ball for the Buccaneers. Weer is one of the main reasons the Buccs have been so reluctant to give up points this year. The Covington defensive unit has dominated the opposition, having held six opponents scoreless. Seven of the eight victories that the Buccs have rolled up have been against Class AA competition.
Covington winds up the season next Friday against Greenville.
Scoring Summary:
Covington …………8….14…….0…..13 – 34
Northwestern …….0……0…….0…….0 – 0