NOVEMBER 2, 2018 – LIMA
Lima Central Catholic’s speed was too much for Covington Friday night as the Thunderbirds sprinted out to a 28-0 lead en route to a 40-18 win over the Buccs in Region 24, D-VI playoff action at Spartan Stadium.
LCC, 9-1, advances to play Marion Local on Friday. Covington finishes the season 7-4.
LCC took over on its own 46 after the opening kickoff and went the 54-yards in five plays.
Shaun Thomas went 15 yards on the first play of the drive and capped it with an 11-yard TD run. Ron Banks kick made it 7-0 with 10:38 remaining in the opening quarter.
After a Covington three-and-out and short punt, LCC got the ball at the Covington 35.
Thomas caught a 10-yard pass from quarterback Nevan Stolly on second-and-10 and ran 19 yards for the touchdown three plays later. Banks kick made it 14-0 with 7:15 remaining in the first quarter.
On LCC’s next possession, the Covington defense made a play as Brayden Wiggins took the ball away from Banks after he had run inside the Covington 25.
Covington picked up two first downs, but on a third-and-five from the LCC 44, Banks picked up a backwards pass by Covington and ran 47 yards for the score. His kick made it 21-0 with 10:04 remaining in the half.
After another Covington three-and-out, Rahsy Moore ran 24 yards to the Covington 35.
Stolly completed a 21-yard pass to Thomas to eight-yard line and two plays later, Banks ran it in from three yards out. The kick failed, leaving the score on 27-0.
On Covington’s next possession, Thomas intercepted a pass near midfield, but the Thunderbirds were unable to score.
That seemed to give Covington a spark as the Buccs put together a seven-play, 71-yard drive.
Quarterback Cade Schmelzer was 5-for-6 passing on the drive and Andrew Cates caught a 39-yard pass to the LCC 15.
After a penalty left Covington in a third-and-23 from the 28, Schmelzer found Cates in the end zone for the score. The kick failed and Covington trailed 27-6 with 1:18 remaining in the half.
A failed onside kick gave LCC the ball at the Covington 45 and four plays later, Banks ran it in from 14 yards out and made the kick to make it 34-6 with 49 seconds remaining in the half.
But Covington came right back and went 69 yards in four plays.
On the final play of the half from the LCC 45, Schmelzer lobbed the ball towards the end zone. Cates and two LCC defenders went up for the ball and Cates came down with it for the score. The kick failed, making the halftime score 34-12.
Both teams scored once in the second half.
Thomas caught a 37-yard TD pass from Stolly early in the third quarter to make it 40-12.
Covington answered in the fourth quarter with a 49-yard TD pass from Schmelzer to Cates to make the final 40-18.
Schmelzer and Cates put up impressive numbers for Covington as Schmelzer completed 24 of 42 passes for 358 yards and three touchdown passes and three interceptions. Cates caught nine passes for 209 yards and scored all three Buccaneer touchdowns.
Covington racked up 449 yards of total offense, but surrendered 484 yards to LCC and gave up five turnovers on three interceptions and two fumbles.
LCC used a balanced rushing attack. Thomas, who also intercepted two passes, rushed for 108 yards on 12 carries and caught three passes for 68 yards and a score.
Banks rushed for 160 yards on 16 carries and Moore rushed for 92 yards on 13 carries.
Stolly completed seven of eight passes for 115 yards.
The loss ends Covington’s season at with a 7-4 record after winning the final seven games of the regular season to qualify for the state playoffs.
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
BUCCS – 0 – 12 – 0 – 6 = 18
T-BIRDS – 14 – 20 – 6 – 0 = 40
SCORING SUMMARY:
1st – LCC: Shaun Thomas 12-yd run (PAT Good)
1st – LCC: Shaun Thomas 13-yd run (PAT Good)
2nd – LCC: Ron Banks 47-yd fumble return (PAT Good)
2nd – LCC: Ron Banks 3-yd run (PAT Failed)
2nd – COV: Andrew Cates 28-yd pass from Cade Schmelzer (PAT Failed)
2nd – LCC: Ron Banks 18-yd run (PAT Good)
2nd – COV: Andrew Cates 45-yd pass from Cade Schmelzer (PAT Failed)
3rd – LCC: Shaun Thomas 37-yd pass from Nevon Stolly (2pt Failed)
4th – COV: Andrew Cates 49-yd pass from Cade Schmelzer (2pt Failed)
