How do you replace a seniors class that was part of a perfect season two years ago and a 9-1 season last year? Gone are the Vogler brothers, Steve Pennington, Doug Swartz, and Rodney Victor; to name a few. Replacing these players is not a small task and that’s what second year coach Rex Thompson faced in 1975.

Mixing in players who had experience on last year’s 9-1 team with unproven players, the Buccs received mixed results from one week to the next. Regardless, the 5-5 record was rather positive considering the circumstances.

Covington opened the season with a 13-3 defeat at the hands of Tipp City. It was the first time Covington dropped the opening contest to Tipp City in three years.

The Buccs bounced back to defeat rival Bradford 19-6 the following week, and then knocked off Indian Lake 16-8 in the third week of the season.

A third straight win took place in week four as Covington escaped with a 9-6 win over Miami East in a hard-fought battle. Suddenly, with a 3-1 record, as season of rebuilding turned into a season of promise.

Looking to maintain the momentum, Covington dropped a heartbreaker the following week to Northwestern, 7-0. The Buccaneer defense held up its end of the deal by holding Northwestern to just one score, but the Covington offense just couldn’t get untracked. The loss was the first against Northwestern since 1967; ending a seven-game streak in the series.

The Buccs again regrouped by winning another close contest against Lehman. Again, the defense held tough by holding the Cavaliers to 12 points, but this time the offense came through by scoring two touchdowns in a 14-12 win.

Covington then dropped two streak contests. First, Versailles defeated the Buccs 14-6 and then Graham embarrassed the Buccs, 40-0.

After a 42-13 win over Bethel, Covington closed out the season with their fifth loss of the season to Urbana, 16-13.

Of the five losses Covington suffered four of the losses were by 10 points or less. The only loss Covington suffered by more than 10 points was against Graham.

The Buccs lose the services of 12 seniors: Greg Adams, Rusty Kimmel, Dave Doty, Tim Shafer, Rick Hollopeter, Greg Dennings, Bob Flora, Mike Apwisch, Jim Asher, Don Anthony, Larry Minnich, and Randy Besecker.