COVINGTON – Although fans have all gone home, Smith Field still rings with the echoes of last night’s cheering crowd as Coach Larrie Tisdale’s Covington Buccaneers pounded Miami East 32-6 for their seventh consecutive victory and fifth Mad River Valley League triumph.
Covington scored in every quarter, but once again it was the defense that spelled the difference as East’s ground game was stopped cold. The Vikings’ only touchdown came as a result of a fumbled punt and subsequent pass play that put them on the Covington five-yard line in the waning seconds of the first half.
Carney, Hecker, Robinette, Warner, Apple and Meyer, the interior lineman, completely thwarted East’s power plays, while ends Weikert and Stevenson turned in the sweeps, holding the Vikings to but six first downs, only two in the second half.
The efforts kept the Buccaneer defense’s average to 6.6 points per game, allowing only 46 points against them in seven outings, while the offense has tallied 210 points, for a 30-point per game average.
Last night’s victory sets the stage for a battle of unbeatens, and probable MRVL championship game next Friday when Covington travels to Notheastern, 46-30 conquerors of Greenon Friday night.
Terry Swallow’s three-yard plunge with 6:42 remaining in the first period capped a sustained drive of 61 yards, and Brad Barker’s keeper for points after gave Covington an 8-0 first quarter lead.
Bill Rudy’s 31-yard dash set up a Covington’s second score with 3:22 on the scoreboard in the first half. Ed Shilt skirted the left side for a touchdown, and executed the same maneuver for conversion points as the Buccs moved ahead 16-0.
After being held on downs, the Vikings recovered their fumbled punt on the Covington eight-yard line, but were penalized 15 yards for clipping after the whistle. However, a Steve Davis to Marty Hardman aerial put East back on the Covington five-yard line and on fourth-and-one, Larry Vore scored for the Vikings with only five second remaining. An attempted conversion pass was no good as the half ended with Covington on the long end of a 16-6 score.
Midway in the third period, Terry Swallow hit the right side of the line, cut to the right side of the line, cut to the outside and scampered 16 yards for the TD. Ed Shilt went to the left side for two points and the Buccs moved away 24-6 with 6:49 left on the clock.
Covington’s final touchdown came with 5:23 left in the game when Brad Barker lofted a 23-yard pass to Herb Stevenson. Buddy Clark literally “ran downtown” for points after and a 32-6 victory.
FROM THE PRESSBOX:
Covington registered 14 first downs to East’s six. The Buccs tossed six aerials, completing two, and one intercepted, while the Vikings went to the air 15 time, completed five and had one stolen. Covington fumbled three times, losing the ball each time and the Vikings bobbled once but kept the pigskin. The Buccs are working well together, functioning as a unit. Desire is evident. Next is Northeastern, a Double “A” team, but so were six other victims. It will take an all-out effort next week. The fans will follow; small in number but big in heart, the Buccaneer band really backs the team. School spirit is at a maximum.
