1969 COVINGTON BUCCANEERS

The Buccaneers of 1969, coached by Larrie Tisdale, closed out a memorable decade with another winning season.

The returning lettermen on the 1969 Buccaneer football team.
Larrie Tisdale

Throughout the world the 1960s was a decade of turmoil and transition. It was the decade of civil rights, a lost president, and the beginning of the Vietnam War. It was the decade that changed history and established new trends.

For the Covington Buccaneers, the 1960s was a decade of winning on the football field. Only once in the ’60s did a Covington team fail to finish with a winning record. Twice in the ’60s the Buccaneers recorded unbeaten seasons, 1960 and 1968.

The 1969 Buccaneers put the final touches on a memorable decade with an 8-2 record. Their accomplishments were impressive considering the 10-game schedule consisted of many schools nearly twice the size of Covington.

The Buccaneers, led by coaches Larrie Tisdale, Rex Thompson, and Bob Huelsman, opened the season with five straight wins to extend their unbeaten streak to a school record 15 straight games. The five wins came at the expense of Tipp City 28-12, Bradford 28-0, Graham 14-7, Northwestern 54-22, and Greenon 57-6.

The streak ended in the sixth week of the season as the Buccaneers fell to a powerful Springfield Shawnee team, 27-0. It was the first loss the Buccaneers suffered since the last game of the 1967 season to Graham and the first shutout loss since Springfield Shawnee defeated the Buccs 16-0 two years ago.

Covington rebounded from its frustrating defeat to beat Tecumseh 14-6 and the Miami East 52-0.

Northeastern then shocked the Buccs 16-14 before Covington closed out their season with a 22-16 win over Greenville.

The seniors who led the Buccaneers were Dave Sweigart, Steve Oaks, Gary Mayer, Herb Stevenson, Eric Frantz, Bill Apple, Ron Apwisch, and Ed Shilt.

Bill Apple earned All-League Player, while Bud Clark, Steve Oaks, Ron Apwisch, Herb Stevenson, Gary Meyer, and Ed Shilt were named Honor Players.

1969 BUCCS - 8-2

OPPONENT

SCORE

Tipp City

28-12

Bradford

28-0

Graham

14-7

Northwestern

54-22

Greenon

57-6

Springfield Shawnee

0-27

Tecumseh

14-6

Miami East

52-0

Northeastern

14-16

Greenville

22-16

The Buccaneer coaching staff.
Seniors (Left Photo): Dave Sweigart, Steve Oaks, Gary Mayer, Herb Stevenson, Eric Frantz, Bill Apple, Ron Apwisch, and Ed Shilt.
Award Winners (Right Photo): All League Player - Bill Apple; Honor Players – Bud Clark, Steve Oaks, Ron Apwisch, Herb Stevenson, Gary Mayere, Ed Shilt.
Denny Cain runs the ball for Covington.
Herb Stevenson hauls in a catch during the 1969 season.
Coach Larrie Tisdale watches the action from the sideline.
The Buccaneer captains take part in the coin toss to determine possession.
The Buccaneer defense makes a stop in a 57-6 win over Greenon.
A Buccaneer defender makes a tackle.
The Buccaneer ground game sparked the Buccs to an 8-2 season.