2005: BUCCS RUN AWAY FROM NATIONAL TRAIL

  • Post category:2005 SEASON
Drew Craft runs for a touchdown after making a catch.

September 23, 2005 – NEW PARIS
Over the years Covington football has built a reputation with its powerful running game. Friday against National, Trail the running game was as good as ever with 340 yards and a 12.6 yards-per-carry average in a 42-7 victory over the Blazers.

Gene Studebaker and Dusty Kimmel combined for 242 rushing yards in just over three quarters of play. Studebaker rushed for 122 yards on just 5 carries, a whopping 24.4 yards-per-rush. Kimmel ran for 120 yards on 11 carries, an average of 10-9 yards-per-carry.

“Gene and Dusty ran the ball very well tonight,” said Covington coach Kevin Finfrock after his team improved to 4-1 on the season. “Studebaker did a great job running the offense. Obviously, when you have 24 yards-per-carry you are having a good night.”

Kimmel got the Buccs going on the opening possession of the game with a 31-yard touchdown run. Tyler Kanet connected on the point-after and the Buccs were ahead 7-0 before everyone found a seat.

The Buccs then went to the air for their second score of the game just one possession later. Studebaker found tight end Drew Craft out in the flat and Craft outran the entire Blazer defense into the end zone for the 27-yard score.

Again, Kanet’s kick was good as Covington increased its lead to 14-0.

Covington had another chance to score before the end of the first quarter, but the drive was halted by a turnover.

After Studebaker found Craft over the middle for a 39-yard gain to the Blazer five, the Buccs fumbled the opportunity on the next play as the quarter came to an end.

National Trail couldn’t take advantage of its opportunity and was forced to punt the ball back to the Buccs, giving them another opportunity to extend their lead.

This time Covington took advantage as Nick Christian broke loose from 43 yards out to put Covington up 21-0 after the extra point.

It took nearly two quarters for Covington to find the end zone again as mistakes and drive-killing penalties took over the game.

“We started out very strong,” described Finfrock. “Then we had some mental mistakes, which hurt our momentum.”

National Trail couldn’t sustain a consistent drive, however, as the Buccaneer defense held the Blazers in check. Senior defensive end, Zach Deeter consistently put pressure on Trail quarterback, Mark Moses throughout the contest.

“Zach had a nice game defensively,” complemented Finfrock. “He put a lot of pressure on the their quarterback. It seemed like he hit him on about every play.”

The Buccs finally put the game out of reach late in the third period as Kimmel broke free down the left sideline from 46 yards out.

Covington scored two more times in the early minutes of the fourth quarter as Studebaker scored on a 46-yard run and then a 35-yard interception return.

Leading 42-0 with nearly 9:00 left in the contest, Covington turned the game over to the second unit. National Trail took advantage by putting its only points on the board on a 14-yard run. The Blazers then connected on the extra point to make the final score 42-7.

Covington racked up 444 yards of total offense, while National Trail accumulated 250 yards. The Blazers received 171 yards on the ground from halfback Austin Lebu.

Despite the win, Finfrock feels the Buccs have to improve over the stretch run.

“We have a big stretch of games coming up,” said Finfrock. “We have to be disciplined and execute better on both sides of the ball. Every game we have left is a tough game and we have to be ready to play.”

Covington get back to action next Friday as Ansonia comes to town for another critical conference match-up.

Zach Deeter spent most of the game on defense in the National Trail backfield.

Scoring by Quarters:
Buccs: …….14…….7……7……14 – 42
Blazers: ……0……..0……0…….7 – 7

Scoring Summary:
Covington: Dusty Kimmel, 31yd run (Kanet Kick)
Covington: Gene Studebaker, 27yrd pass to Drew Craft (Kanet Kick)
Covington: Nick Christian, 43yd run (Kanet Kick)
Covington: Dusty Kimmel, 46yd run (Kanet Kick)
Covington: Gene Studebaker, 46yd run (Kanet Kick)
Covington: Gene Studebaker, 35yd interception return (Kanet Kick)
National Trail: #20 14yd run (Marcus Feagle Kick)

COVINGTON STATS:
First Downs – 15
Rushing – 340
Passing – 104
Total Yrds – 444
Total Plays – 38
Fumbles – 1-1
Penalties – 7-60

Covington Rushing:
Gene Studebaker: 5-122-1TD
Dusty Kimmel: 11-120-2TD
Nick Christian: 5-64-1TD
Brock iddings: 1-20-0TD
Chris “Cookie” Long: 4-12-0TD
Travis Wamer: 1-2-0TD

Covington Passing:
Gene Studebaker: 5-11-104-1TD-1INT

Covington Receiving:
Drew Craft: 2-66-1TD
Dusty Kimmel: 2-38-0TD
Nick Christian: 1-0-0TD

NATIONAL TRAIL STATS:
First Downs – 17
Rushing – 184
Passing – 66
Total Yrds – 250
Total Plays – 69
Fumbles – 1-0
Penalties – 8-60

National Trail Rushing:
Austin Lebu: 31-171-0TD
No. 20: 4-19-1TD
Brad Shaeffer: 1-7-0TD
Chaz Richardson: 2-6-0TD
No. 44: 2-3-0TD
Chris Taggert: 1-2-0TD
No. 12: 1–2-0TD
Mark Moses: 9–22-0TD

National Trail Passing:
Mark Moses: 7-17-66-0TD-1INT

National Trail Receiving:
Nathan Pope: 7-66-0TD

Logan Wolock fights through a face mask penalty on a kickoff return.
Logan Brown stuffs a Blazer runner in a 42-7 win on Friday.