1996 COVINGTON BUCCANEERS
It’s been eleven years since Covington has been to the state playoffs, but the wait is over as the 1996 Buccaneers advanced to the playoff after recording the first 10-0 regular season record since 1973.
Eleven years is an eternity when it comes to the success of Covington football. There was a time when winning was a regular occurrence but the past decade has been anything but stellar for Covington football. Only twice since 1985 have the Buccaneers recorded a winning team, 1992 and 1995.
With most of the players back from last year’s 9-1 team, expectations were high that the Covington football program would again be back on top.
The 1996 Buccs, coached by Bob Riley, exceeded the expectations by becoming only the 5th team in school history to finished the regular season with a perfect record. The others to do it were the 1952, 1960, 1968 and 1973 teams. Their perfect regular season record also gave the Buccs their second straight Cross County Conference championship.
Coach Riley’s Buccaneers consisted of a high-powered offense and a stingy defense. They possessed a powerful running game with Andy Shafer and Dale Thompson as well as a solid passing attack with the rocket arm of Matt Weikert.
In front of the talented backfield was a solid offensive line consisting of seniors Matt Apple, Travis Bubeck and Mack Snyder. They racked up 426 points for an average of 42.6 points per game in the regular season.
The defense was just a dominating as the offense. They only surrendered 70 regular season points for 7 points a game. The Buccs also recorded 3 shutouts but could have recorded at least 2 or 3 more but with games out of reach Coach Riley allowed younger players to see playing time.
After a dominating regular season, the Buccs faced eventual State Champions, St. Henry in the first round of the playoffs. The game was close until two fourth quarter touchdowns by the Redskins ended the Buccs’ season 28-0.
Matt Weikert – Off to College…
Matt Weikert was a dominating force on the 1995 and 1996 Buccaneers teams. He was the Buccs leader on both offense and defense, playing quarterback and linebacker for the league champions. Matt’s strong arm and football smarts helped lead the Buccs to an unbeaten regular season and a playoff appearance. After his Buccaneer career was finished Weikert played college football at Ohio University. He continued to dominate as a starting linebacker his junior and senior season.
| RECAP OF WEIKERT’S COLLEGE CAREER |
1996 BUCCS - 10-1
OPPONENT
SCORE
Miami East
46-7
National Trail
28-0
Tri-County North
34-7
Bethel
41-14
Mississinawa Valley
59-0
Arcanum
54-7
Twin Valley South
48-6
Ansonia
48-0
Cedarville
20-15
Bradford
48-14
STATE PLAYOFFS
St. Henry
0-28
1996 COVINGTON FOOTBALL ROSTER
NO.
PLAYER
POSITION
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
GRADE
1
Shad Gerken
RB/LB
5-6
168
11
3
Dustin Cope
E/DB
5-9
135
10
7
Brandon Owens
QB/DB
5-7
115
9
10
Matt Weikert *
QB/DB
6-3
185
12
12
Dale Morrow
RB/DB
5-8
155
12
13
Walker Graher
QB/DB
5-11
166
11
20
Brian Brown
RB/DB
5-8
130
10
22
Brad Boothe
QB/DB
5-6
135
9
23
Joe Dye
E/DB
6-0
145
12
24
Dale Thompson *
RB/DB
5-9
164
11
25
Eric Boothe *
RB/DB
5-8
164
11
28
Brett Baker
RB/LB
5-7
182
11
30
Travis Duff
RB/DB
5-1
93
9
32
Jason Placeway
RB/DB
5-8
150
9
35
Tony Gragg
RB/DE
5-8
155
9
36
Noah Turner *
E/DB
5-9
163
12
37
Chad Swartz
RB/LB
5-6
134
9
40
Andy Dysinger
RB/DE
5-9
178
12
42
Paul Doseck
E/DB
5-8
120
9
45
Nick Shough
RB/LB
5-11
201
11
50
Jeremy Ingle *
C/DE
6-3
208
12
51
Beau Frazier
G/DE
5-9
155
11
52
Mack Snyder *
G/LB
5-11
180
12
53
Nathan Knavel
G/LB
5-10
172
10
54
Jeremiah Herron
T/DT
5-10
209
10
55
Dan Yohey
C/LB
5-10
155
10
56
Jesse French
T/DT
6-1
205
12
57
Travis Bubeck *
G/NG
5-8
178
12
62
Randy Menke
C/NG
5-9
138
11
63
Tom Doyle
T/DT
5-8
190
9
64
Mitch Schmidt *
T/DT
6-1
225
12
65
Luke Hollopeter
G/LB
5-8
140
9
66
Marty Finfrock
G/NG
5-10
159
9
67
Matt Apple
T/DT
6-1
265
12
70
Justin Bone
T/DT
5-4
190
9
72
Keith Monroe
T/DT
6-1
245
10
74
Mike Peters
T/DT
5-10
230
10
75
Lincoln Wills
T/DT
6-0
205
10
81
Justin Bubeck
E/DE
6-1
170
10
82
Sam Reck
E/DB
5-6
135
9
83
Chad Clark
E/DB
5-5
135
9
84
Derek Baker
E/DB
5-10
135
11
86
Donnie Martin
E/DB
5-10
150
11
87
Justin York *
E/DE
6-1
170
12
* Returning Lettermen
Head Coach: Bob Riley
Assistant Coaches: Doug Swartz, Dave Tobias, Jerry Shaw, Bill Wise
Manager: Jon Frock
