1970: DENNY CAIN RUNS WILD

  • Post category:1970 SEASON
Denny Cain runs the ball for Covington.

BRADFORD – Everything in the book, from injuries to high blood pressure to the flu to one Denny Cain, has hit Bradford this past week, but chances are the Pennsylvania Railroad boys will tell you that nothing hit them harder than Cain did Friday night.

Cain, the Covington Buccs’ flashy junior running back, struck for three touchdowns, one conversion and 150 yards rushing as Coach Larrie Tisdale’s Buccaneers pounced on the Railroaders, 38-0, to record their first victory in two outings. The loss spelled Bradford’s second in as many games.

Covington swings into Mad River Valley League action next Friday night when they travel to meet the up-and-coming Graham Falcons while Bradford will be hosted by Minster in a Tri-County League battle.

The Buccs wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard as quarterback Rex Huffman unleashed Cain for a 14-yard touchdown jaunt with 7:00 left in the first period, capping a nine-play Buccaneer drive that started on the Covington 46. The run for the conversion was no good and the score was 6-0.

After battling through the balance of the first period and the first eight minutes into the second quarter, the Buccs struck again, and it was Cain cracking the final nine yards off left tackle. The pass from Huffman to Mike Manson was good for the extra points and a 14-0 command.

Covington’s hard-running fullback, Bud Clark, accounted for the next touchdown seven minutes and 30 seconds gone in the second half. This TD came on a 5-yard run up the middle, and Cain got his iron into the fire once again by running in the conversion.

Cain wasn’t through yet, finding daylight again with 7:00 left in the game from five yards out for his third touchdown of the night. The conversion pass went from Huffman to senior tight end Ed Hartley, and it was 30-0, Covington.

With only two seconds showing on the clock, Covington pushed across still another touchdown, but this time Cain had nothing to do with it. Senior Mike Manson found the goal stripe from 16 yards out and freshman Ron Phillis handled the conversion chores. That closed the scoring at 38-0.

Tisdale was pleased with the overall performance the Buccs turned in, saying the defense did an excellent job in checking Bradford to 136 yards total offense and six first downs. “Anytime you shut someone out, it feels good,” commented Tisdale. “They never had a play of over 15 yards.”

As for Tisdale’s thoughts on Cain’s rampaging, he just said, “he (Cain) played a heck of a ball game!”

Another worry has been added to the long list of Bradford coach Ken Funk’s headaches. Senior Ron Canan, possibly Funk’s best player, was shaken up during the game, nearly passing out on the sidelines. He was later taken to the hospital, but the extent of his injury is not known.

Bradford assistant coach Lonnie Miller conveyed that he did not think the ‘Roader gridder received any excessive physical punishment during the game. Canan, after being taken out, walked around for a few minutes and then could not keep his balance.

next game against Graham

Scoring By Quarters:
Covington ……..6……8…..8….16 – 38
Bradford ……….0……0…..0……0 – 0

Scoring Summary:
Covington – Cain, 140yard run; PAT: run failed
Covington – Cain, 9-yard run; PAT: pass from Huffman to Manson
Covington – Clark, 5-yard run; PAT: Cain run
Covington – Cain, 5-yard run; PAT: pass from Huffman to Hartley
Covington – Manson, 16-yard run; PAT: Phillis run