SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 – ARCANUM
The Covington Buccaneers only care about winning – winning through maxing out in their effort and performance – so breaking records is the furthest thing from their minds.
But when a record comes within the process of a team win and maxing out in their effort, it’s a record worth recognizing.
So when senior halfback A.J. Ouellette broke the school record for rushing yards in a game and tied the school record with six touchdowns in a 70-19 victory over Arcanum, Buccaneer coach Dave Miller didn’t hesitate to give praise.
“It’s a great accomplishment,” said Miller after Ouellette rushed for 335 yards on 12 carries with five rushing touchdowns and a 90-yard interception return for another score. “But he’ll be the first to tell you that it’s a team record. He had some great runs where he broke tackles and ran people over, but a lot of times he didn’t even get touched. That’s a credit to our entire offense.”
Ouellette’s 335 yards broke Matt McCord’s record of 334 yards set in 2003 against Tri-County North, but it could have been much more if the game wasn’t virtually sealed with Covington leading 43-6 at the half.
By that time, Ouellette had already rushed 11 times for 330 yards and scored five times. He had just one carry for eight yards in the second half.
“A.J. just being A.J.,” Miller said. “He’s a team guy. Actually, all of the kids are team first guys.”
Which gave other kids an opportunity to shine in the second half – and they did.
First, sophomore Brandon Magee broke free on the first play of the second half for his second touchdown of the game, a 50-yard run up the middle on a fullback dive.
Sophomore quarterback Jared Williams got into the act with arguably the most impressive run of the night as he weaved his way through the Arcanum defense from 15 yards out.
Freshman fullback Deron White then scored his first touchdown of his career on a one-yard run.
“This was a complete team win,” said Miller. “The thing you look at when the score gets a little lopsided is how hard the kids continue to play. I felt all of the kids played hard all night.”
Still, it wasn’t a perfect performance by Covington by any means as the Buccs were flagged 14 times for 145 yards and gave up some big plays, including an 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
“We made some mistake that we need to correct if we hope to become the team we think we can be,” Miller explained. “We have a lot of work to do in our special teams and our pass defense – really in all phases of the game. We’re definitely not satisfied.”
Nine Buccaneer players contributed to a 542-yard rushing effort on the night, which is good for fourth in the history of Covington football.
Arcanum managed 270 yards of offense with 118 through the air and 152 on the ground.
Covington intercepted the Trojans four times.
“Overall, it was a pretty good night,” closed Miller. “We came out of this with a win and fully healthy. We also came away with things we know we can improve on.”
Covington improves to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the CCC, while Arcanum drops to 1-1 and 0-1.
The Buccs host Mississinawa Valley next week for Hall of Fame Night.
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
BUCCS – 27 – 16 – 14 – 13 = 70
TROJANS – 0 – 6 – 6 – 7 = 19
SCORING SUMMARY:
COV: A.J. Ouellette 64-yd run (Ouellette Kick)
COV: Brandon Magee 2-yd run (Ouellette Kick)
COV: A.J. Ouellette 1-yd run (Kick Failed)
COV: A.J. Ouellette 60-yd run (Ouellette Kick)
COV: A.J. Ouellette 37-yd Field Goal
COV: A.J. Ouellette 78-yd run (Bobby Alexander Kick)
ARC: Austin baker 83-yd Kick Return (2pt conversion Failed)
COV: A.J. Ouellette 50-yd run (Ouellette Kick)
COV: Brandon Magee 50-yd run (Ouellette Kick)
COV: Jared Williams 15-yd run (Ouellette Kick)
ARC: Mason Garber 8-yd run (2pt conversion failed)
COV: Deron White 1-yd run (Nathan Blei Kick)
ARC: O’Donnell 4-yd pass to Dalton Lindemuth (Kick Good)
COV: A.J. Ouellette 90-yd interception return (Kick Failed)
