GREENVILLE – The Covington Buccaneers defeated the Ansonia Tigers 26-7 to finally erase last years upset loss to the Tigers on the Buccs home field. In the process, Ansonia earned the Buccs respect by giving them their toughest game of the year.

In a defensive battle, both the Buccs and Tigers had a difficult time getting the ball in the end zone in the first half. In the first quarter, the Buccs had the ball inside the Tiger’s two and failed to score. After struggling for much of the first half to get anything going on offense, the Buccs finally hit the home run with a long pass from Dusty Blythe to Jordan Shafer to put the Buccs up 7-0 at the half.

In the third quarter things started to heat up. Ansonia struck with a 33 yard run by Tim Tobe to make the score 7-6. Ansonia then missed a golden opportunity to take the lead with a dropped pass by Jack Hatert in open field which would have given the Tigers the momentum. Instead, Covington drove the ball down the field and Blythe again hit Shafer over the middle for another score to make it 14-6.

The Buccs finally put the Tigers away late in the fourth with a third touchdown pass from Blythe to Shafer and a 13 yard run by Boomer Schmidt.

Defensive Star, Mike Cope
In a game that featured outstanding defensive play from the entire Buccaneer squad, it was tough pick an MVP on defense. Although many Buccaneer players made key plays, the player that stood out was Mike Cope.

In the first half the Buccs struggled to move the ball. After four Buccaneer drives failed to produce points, Ansonia was on the move in Buccs territory. Mike Cope stepped up and intercepted a Tiger pass and returned the ball into Ansonia territory. A few plays later the Buccs went in for the score.

In the third quarter, with Ansonia threatening to tie the score at 7, Cope broke through and blocked the extra point securing the lead.

Midway through the fourth quarter, after the Buccs put two more touchdown on the board, Mike blocked a Tiger punt to give the Buccs excellent field position. Moments later, the Buccs finished off Ansonia for good with one last burst into the end zone.

Offensive Star, Jordan Shafer
With Ansonia clamping down on the Buccs running game, the Buccs desperately needed a spark in the second quarter. Jordan Shafer accepted the challenge by scoring three critical touchdowns for the Buccs in their 26-6 playoff win over the Tigers.

Shafer’s first big play came in a scoreless tie midway through the first quarter. He positioned himself behind two Tiger defenders as Dusty Blythe delivered the ball on target. Shafer outran the defenders the rest of the way for a 49 yard touchdown.

Again, the Buccs needed a big play. After the Tigers closed the gap to 7-6, Shafer responded with a 14 yard reception across the middle for the touchdown to give the Buccs a 14-6 lead early in the forth quarter.

After Ansonia failed to move the ball the Buccs sealed the deal as Shafer again found the end zone. He adjusted to an underthrown pass by Blythe and cut under the defender to hall in his third score for 37 yards.

On the night Shafer had 3 receptions for 100 yards and 3 TD’s.

Covington Individual Statistics:
Rushing: Cope 15-106, Schmidt 18-156-1TD, Blythe 4-3, Burgess 1-1,
Reck 2-3, Burelison 2-0
Passing: Blythe 4-9-1-93-3TD
Receiving: Shafer 3-100-3TD, Burelison 1-7
Interceptions: Molesky 1-4, Cope 1-29
Fumble Recoveries: J. Reck 1

Scoring by Quarters:
Covington: 1st: 0, 2nd: 7, 3rd: 0, 4th: 19, Total: 26
Ansonia: 1st: 0, 2nd: 0, 3rd: 6, 4th: 0,
Total: 6

Covington Buccaneers 26 – Ansonia Tigers 6 (Possession Breakdown)

1st Quarter:
Ansonia: Fumble, recovered by Josh Reck of Covington.
Covington: Punt.
Ansonia: Turn Over on Downs.
Covington: Turn Over on Downs at Ansonia 2.
Ansonia: Punt.
Covington: Punt.
Ansonia: Punt.

2nd Quarter:
Covington: Fumble, recovered by Ansonia.
Ansonia: Interception, by Mike Cope of Covington.
Covington: Dusty Blythe 49 yard TD pass to Jordan Shafer, Blythe Kick.
Ansonia: Punt.
Covington: Interception, by Ansonia.
Ansonia: Punt.
Covington: Half.

3rd Quarter:
Covington: Punt.
Ansonia: 33 yard TD run by Tim Tobe, Kick Blocked by Mike Cope.
Covington: Punt:
Ansonia: Turn Over on Downs.

4th Quarter:
Covington: Blythe 14 yard TD pass to Shafer, Blythe Kick.
Ansonia: Turn Over on Downs
Covington: Blythe 37 yard TD pass to Shafer, Pass Intercepted by Ansonia.
Ansonia: Punt blocked by Mike Cope.
Covington: 13 yard TD run by Boomer Schmidt, Snap Fumbled.
Ansonia: Interception, by Mike Molesky of Covington.
Covington: End of Game.