COVINGTON – Coach Larrie Tisdale unharnessed the horses Friday night at Conover Field and his Class A Covington Buccaneers responded valiantly, turning the “game of the week” into the “rout of the week” with a convincing 42-0 trouncing of previously unbeaten Double A Northeastern, and assuring Covington of at least a chunk of the Mad River Valley League title.
The Buccaneers, now 8-0 on the season, will face Graham next in league action, while Northeastern must face tough Miami East. A Covington victory next week will clinch it all…and leave only Greenville as an obstacle for an unbeaten, untied season.
John Weikert, pound-for-pound, the best defensive end in the Valley, last night spearheaded Covington’s defensive unit, now boasting a 5.75 point average in eight games, while quarterback Brad Barker “read the Jets defense” and piloted the Buccaneers to their six touchdown victory.
Northeastern, averaging nearly 50 points per game, couldn’t master Tisdale’s defense, and wound up with six first downs, only one in the first half, and never penetrated beyond Covington’s 40-yard line; as Weikert blitzed the passer into oblivion.
The Buccaneers were on the scoreboard at 9:41 in the first period, when Terry Swallow climaxed a 65-yard march with an 11-yard scamp. Ed Shilt added another six points on a 57-yard carry, and John Weikert put Covington up 18-0 with an in-air fumble reception moments before the half ended.
Terry Swallow’s 20-yard gallop and subsequent plunge for points after moved Covington out in front 26-0 early in the third period. Two minutes later Brad Barker’s pass interception and 31-yard jaunt put the Buccaneers ahead 32-0. Barker then tossed to Swallow for conversion points and Covington had a 34 to 0 advantage.
Swallow scored again in the fourth quarter on a 6-yard scramble, and Barker passed to Stevenson for points after as Covington completely swamped Northeastern 42-0.
FROM THE PRESSBOX:
The Buccaneers engineered 18 first downs to the Jets six (five in the second half). Covington attempted two aerials and didn’t connect, lost one by interception. The Jets went to the air 19 times, completing 3 and had six stolen (four by Brad Barker). Covington was penalized 80 yards, Northeastern 24. The Buccs fumbles 5 times, losing the ball on four occasions. Northeastern fumbled twice and gave up the ball both times.
