After a decade of frustration, the 1995 Buccaneers reestablished the winning tradition by finishing 9-1 and winning a league title.
One point! That’s all that prevents the 1995 Covington Buccaneers from an unbeaten regular season and a trip to the state playoffs for the first time since 1985.
The Buccs had dominated the competition trough eight weeks, only surrendering 20 points for an 8-0 record. Looking to improve to 9-0, Covington faced its stiffest test of the season as they traveled to face unbeaten Cedarville.
In a classic battle, Covington was within reach of capturing the win after junior Travis Bubeck picked up a Cedarville fumble and raced 17 yards for the touchdown, Unfortunately, Cedarville held on for a 21-20 victory, sending the Buccs home with their first and only loss of the season.
The loss to Cedarville left the Buccs on the outside looking in for a playoff spot. Despite destroying Bradford 63-7 on the last week of the regular season, the Buccs finished 5th in the computer rankings, one spot short of a playoff birth.
After a decade of suffering mediocrity, The Buccs opened the season with a 28-0 shutout of Miami East. They then took care of National Trail 33-6 and Tri-County North 28-7.
The Buccaneer defense, which was virtually impossible to penetrate all season, recorded two straight shutouts over Bethel, 20-0, and Mississinawa Valley, 49-0 to improve to 5-0 midway through the season.
With playoff hopes at an all-time high Covington took on pre-season conference favorite, Arcanum. In a close battle, Covington took a 19-7 win and a leg up in their quest for a conference title.
After a 48-0 shellacking of Twin Valley South, Covington forged a defensive battled with Ansonia in week eight. Covington defense rose to the occasion once again, prevailing 14-0.
After the loss to Cedarville, Covington finished their season with a 63-7 shellacking of long-time rival Bradford. The win gave the Buccs the Cross County Conference title, but the championship was bitter-sweet as there would be no week eleven.
Covington finished the season at 9-1 overall and 8-0 in league play.
The 1995 Buccaneers were led by a talented group of seniors: #68 Lee Schmidt, #56 Adam Hittle, #82 Nick Manson, #66 Jason Durbin, #63 Paul Post, #22 Josh Carder, #30 Brian Rudy, #50 Jason Staudt, #37 Brian Cassel, #32 Andy Shaffer and #79 Bill Hicks. They have reestablished the Covington tradition of winning and hopefully set the tone for years to come.
With a solid nucleus of juniors returning next season as seniors, and a talented group of reserves (who finished 8-1) moving up to varsity, the Covington Buccaneers look like a team on the rise.