COVINGTON – The Covington Buccaneers, led by their strong defensive unit, rolled to their fifth straight victory, and their fifth straight this year, defeated the Tecumseh Arrows 34-6 Friday night at Smith Field.
Covington coach Tom Steele praised left end Ted Peacock, right guard Doug Minnick, and halfback Kent Thompson for their terrific defensive work. Peacock played the best game of his career, according to the Bucc mentor.
Covington ran its point production to 210 points, while limiting the opposition to 14.Thompson scored three touchdowns, giving him 13 for the season. He also had one PAT for a total of 80 points. Bob Rudy scored one touchdown and a PAT to run his scoring total to 34 points and John Flory added a PAT to run his total point output to 60.
The Buccs are tied for the Mad River Valley League lead with Northwestern. Both teams have perfect 3-0 league records.
The Buccs took the opening kick-off and marched 68 yards to score their first touchdown of the night. Starting at their own 32 they used only eight plays in the drive that saw an 18-yard run for a touchdown by Thompson. The run for the PAT failed and the Buccs led 6-0 with 8:10 showing in the first period.
After a rugged defensive battle for the remainder of the period and most of the second quarter, the Arrows drove deep into Covington territory. With fourth down and four, Tecumseh quarterback Les Davis threw a pass which was intercepted by Thompson. Picking up several excellent blocks and doing a nifty job of evading would be tacklers who did get through, the speedy halfback scampered 85 yards to paydirt. Flory ran the PAT and the Buccs led 14-0 with 1:43 left in the half.
Covington kicked off to the Tecumseh 44 and time ran out after three plays and the Buccs led 14-0 at the halfway mark.
The second half started out with more rugged defensive play by both defensive units, but the Buccs just were not to be denied.
With 3:51 showing in the third period, quarterback Chuck Deal scored from one-yard out on a sneak, climaxing a 92-yard drive. Bob Rudy ran the PAT and the Buccs led 22-0.
Tecumseh got on the scoreboard in the final period when Davis hit halfback Jim Hobbs with a pass that covered 35 yards for the touchdown. The PAT pass failed and Covington led 22-6.
The Buccs scored once again after Tecumseh kicked off to the Covington 35. On the first play, Rudy ran up the middle, powered his way through to the secondary, turned on a burst of speed and scampered 65 yards for the touchdown. The run for the PAT failed and the Buccs led 32-6.
The Arrows made one last scoring bid late in the final period. Driving deep into Covington territory, quarterback Rusty Eggleston attempted to pass and Thompson intercepted once again, this time on the Covington 35, and once again the brilliant Covington halfback scampered for a touchdown. This one went for 65 yards.
The Buccaneers backfield had a mix-up in signals on the PAT attempt and fumbled on the five-yard line.
Regardless, the Buccs walked off the field still unbeaten and tied for the league lead.
Scoring Summary:
Covington ……….6…..8…..8…..12 – 34
Tecumseh………..0…..0…..0…….6 – 6