SPRINGFIELD – The Covington Buccaneers combined a strong defense and a grinding ground attack to defeat the Shawnee Braves 14-0 Friday night in Springfield.
The Buccs were out for revenge as Shawnee cost them an outright league championship last year by defeating them 21-8.
Since then the powerful Buccs have ripped off 10 consecutive wins, including all four games this year and two straight in the Mad River Valley League.
The Braves managed to hold Covington scoreless in the first period as the score remained as it started, 0-0.
With 6:32 showing in the second period, Covington halfback Kent Thompson scored on a one-yard run, climaxing a 65-yard drive that started on the Bucc 35. Halfback John Flory ran for the two-point conversion and the Buccs led 8-0. This was all of the scoring as the two teams spent the remainder of the first half in a rugged defensive tie.
Late in the third period Covington defensive tackle Tom Weer intercepted a Eugene Wells’ pass on the Bucc 30 and, running like a halfback, returned the ball to the Shawnee 15. Fullback Bob Rudy picked up 14 yards on two carries to move the ball to the Shawnee one. Time ran out and the Buccs led 8-0 at the end of the third period.
On the third play of the final period Thompson ran for the final one yard and the final Bucc touchdown. The run for PAT failed and Covington led 14-0.
Buccaneer coach Tom Steele praised his fullback Bob Rudy for his excellent runs up the middle and felt this was the difference in the game. The Bucc mentor also pointed out that 190-pound center Mike Beireis played an excellent game.
Covington ran its scoring production to 178 points while the rugged defensive unit scored its third straight shutout. The Buccs have given up only one touchdown this season, and a total of only 8 points. They now stand 4-0 overall and 2-0 in league play, tied for first with Northwestern.
Covington led in the first downs department 10-6, and picked up 174 yards rushing, compared to 58 for Shawnee.
Scoring Summary:
Covington ……….0…..8…..0…..6 – 14
Shawnee…………0…..0…..0…..0 – 0