September 27, 2002 – UNION CITY
The Covington Buccaneers and Mississinawa Valley Blackhawks are two teams going in different directions. The Buccs came into tonight’s game unbeaten and at the top of the CCC while the Blackhawks came in looking for their first win of the season. The result was indicative of both team’s records as the Buccs dominated from the outset for a 39-6 victory.

“We played well tonight,” commented coach Peacock. “Going into a game like this, when you are expected to win, there is a tendency for players to let down and not play up to the level we expect. I’m satisfied that our players played with the intensity we expect out of them. They never let down one bit and they did what they were suppose to do.”

The Buccs made is clear early that they were ready to play by driving down the field on their first possession and sticking it in the end zone. Jesse Hitt scored his first of two touchdowns on the night on a 9-yard run. Matt Fulks kicked the extra point and the Buccs were up 7-0.

Later in the first, Jordan Shafer hauled in a perfect pass from Brady Reck for a 56-yard touchdown to put the Buccs up 13-0.

The Buccs then put up two more scores in the second for a comfortable 25-0 lead at the half. Brady Reck connected from 6 yards out with Matt McCord and Jesse Hitt pounded his way in from 5 yards away.

The third quarter was more of the same as Matt McCord scored his second touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run. Reck and Shafer hooked up again on a 42-yard touchdown pass to put the Buccs up 39-0 after three quarters of play. Shafer fought off a Blackhawk’s defender draped over his back and managed to escape down the sideline for the score.

“Jordan Shafer had a terrific game for us,” complemented coach Peacock. “He was the player of the game, no doubt. Brady threw the ball well and they couldn’t cover our receivers.”

While the Covington offense clicked, the Buccaneer defense shut down the Blackhawks. Through three quarters the Bucc’ defense held Mississinawa to negative yardage and to 2 first downs.

The Blackhawks ended up with 96 total yards but many of those came against the Buccs’ second unit. Travis Brunk had 54 of those yards on a touchdown run against the Buccs’ second team defense with only 2:50 left in the game.

“I’m satisfied with the way our starting defense played,” continued coach Peacock. “We were missing a couple of players and their replacements stepped up tonight. I’m not satisfied with our special team’s play tonight though. We gave up too many long returns and we need to get that corrected in a hurry.”

On the night, Brady Reck completed 13 out of 17 passes for 245 yards with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Brady’s 245 passing yards are 9 yards short of the school record for passing yards in a game.

Jordan Shafer recorded 6 receptions for 177 yards and 2 touchdowns while Jesse Hitt led the Buccs in rushing with 111 yards on 15 carries. Hitt also reached the end zone twice as the Buccs out gained the Blackhawks 418 to 96.

Next the Buccs host the Bethel Bees in a heated rivalry.

Scoring by Quarters:
Buccs: …..13……12……14……0 – 39
Miss. V: ….0……..0……..0……6 – 6

Scoring Summary:
Covington – Jesse Hitt 9-yard run (Matt Fulks Kick Failed) – 6-0
Covington – Brady Reck 56 yrd pass to Jordan Shafer (Fulks kick – 13-0
Covington – Reck 6 yrd pass to Matt McCord (Fulks Kick Failed) – 19-0
Covington – Hitt 5 yrd run (Reck Pass Failed) – 25-0
Covington – McCord 1 yrd run (Fulks Kick) – 32-0
Covington – Reck 42 yrd pass to Shafer (Fulks Kick) – 39-0
Mississinawa Valley – Travis Brunk 54 yrd run (linder Pass Failed) – 39-6