COVINGTON – Highly-touted Covington blasted hapless Bradford Friday night at Smith Field, rolling up 34 points in the first quarter, and 30 more in the second stanza in romping the Railroaders for the eighth straight year, 84-0.
Coach Tom Steele’s Buccaneers, figured to be the team to beat when the Mad River Valley League opens next Friday, amassed 385 yards rushing and added another via the air route for a total of 460 yards.
Just as powerful, Covington’s defense gave up only 77 rushing yards to Bradford, while Bradford gained only eight more yards in the air for a woeful total of 85 yards for the night. Bradford’s deepest penetration into Buccaneer’ territory was the 26.
Kent Thompson, the Buccs speedy halfback, who ran the ball only once from scrimmage, still managed to score a pair of touchdowns. Bob Rudy also scored twice and John Flory three times as Covington scored 11 touchdowns.
It all started when Bradford kicked off. Kent Thompson gathered in the pigskin, got blocking on the far sideline, and rambled 76 yards. Bob Rudy ran the PAT and the Railroaders were behind just that quick.
Seconds later, defensive end Tom Weer tackled Bradford’s Bill Miller in the endzone for a safety and it was 10-0.
It was Flory’s turn next. With 3:55 left in the initial quarter, Flory cracked off right tackle, reversed his field, and went 53 yards. He the ran the PAT and it was 26-0.
With only 52 seconds left in the first period, quarterback Chuck Deah on a keeper play, turned the left side and raced 26 yards. Rudy tallied the PAT and it was 34-0.
Flory returned to the scoring column to strat the second period rout. Cracking off tackle, the 180-pound back sped 24 yards with Scott Thompson running the PAT to run the count to 42-0 with only 48 seconds gone in the first quarter.
Thompson, at his defensive halfback slot, intercepted a Railroader aerial at 10:44 and galloped 25 yards to pay dirt. Tim Feeser added the two extra points, and now the score was up to 50-0.
With 7:37 remaining in the half, Rudy scampered 12 yards around left end. This time the run for the PAT was stopped and the scorer stood at 56-0.
Next, Tom Bitner got into the spree, blasting off tackle 25 yards with 5:30 showing before halftime. Freeser then threw to Paul Penny for the PAT and made it 64-0.
In the third stanza, Flora and Kent Thompson hooked up in a 75-yard pass-run play, with Ted Hartley giving Covington the extra two points, 72-0.
With six minutes gone in the final period, Scott Thompson plunged over from the two. For the second time the run for PAT failed.
After increasing the margin to 78-0 moments later, the Buccs struck one final time with 2:42 left in the game. Kent Thompson threw to Flory for a 62-yard touchdown. Covington’s attempt for the conversion was no good, making the final score 84-0.
Covington had 14 first downs, Bradord 8. The Buccaneers, now having scored 138 points in two games, fumbled four times and lost the ball three of those times. Covington recovered two of Bradford’s three fumbles.
Covington had 70 yards in penalties to Bradford’s 15.
Next Friday league play begins for both teams. Covington hosts Greenon in Mad River League Play, while Bradford host Minster in Tri-County League play.
Scoring Summary:
Covington ……….34…..30…..8…..12 – 84
Bradford ……………0…….0……0…….0 – 0