SEASON PREVIEW

The Covington Buccaneers look to take the next step forward in bringing the program back to the tradition of success that has made Covington known as a football town.

The Buccaneers are coming off of an 0-10 record in 2023, which was the first time in the history of the program a Covington football team didn’t win at least one game. But, the record a year ago wasn’t a reflection on the amount of effort, determination, toughness and accountability the Buccaneers implemented throughout the entire season. The downfall on the scoreboard was due to a tough schedule and the overall youth and inexperience on the team.

Things are expected to move forward in 2024, even though this team is relatively young once again. The reason of expected success is the fact that all but five players on the roster from a year ago are returning. Plus, an additional very athletic senior is added to the lineup and five hard working freshmen joined the team.

Plus, the off-season work the Buccs put in is very close to the what so many successful teams did in the past when league titles and playoff appearances were an annual result. Their hard work, toughness, loyalty, humbleness, unselfishness and relentless effort is setting the tone for a future era of success.

Four leading seniors are returning to set the tone – Garrett Leistner, Kian French, Kaden Thompson and Jack Blumenstock. Garrett Leistner and Kian French have been true leaders due to their work ethic and commitment to the culture established by Coach Morgan. And, all four returning seniors have played key roles in all previous three years of their high school careers. Plus, the addition of three more seniors, Tanner Palsgrove, Aveyen Meek and Wyatt Parker give the Buccaneers more potential for success due to strength, speed, quickness and athletic ability. Tanner is wearing the jersey number 21, which is the same number worn by his grandfather Roger Finfrock, who was a great running back on the legendary 1973 football team.

The Buccaneers only have three juniors, but they will contribute greatly on both sides of the ball. Day’Lynn Garrett has the potential to be one of the most impressive receivers in the program’s recent history if he continues to work hard in his development and focuses on the additional details that helps his teammates make big plays. A.J. Reyes and Christian Clark also have critical roles on both sides of the ball and on special teams.

Sixteen sophomores return to the roster and so many of them started on both sides of the ball last season as freshmen. Landin Cassel has the potential to reach an elite level in the quarterback position, while Trenton Havenar, Parker Hoying, Filip McMaken, Jordan Miller and James Kuether have high expectations to contribute greatly in skill positions. Brock Lyons, Parker Schaffer, Lucas Lester and Eli Brooks are in position to lead the offensive and defensive lines due to their overall work ethic and experience from last season. Plus, Tyler Palsgrove, Sam Helman, Jonathan Miller, Caiden Walters and Sam Wolfe will be huge contributors when they are required to step on the field.

It is obvious in small school football that the majority of the players will be required to play in all phases of the game for four quarters considering the roster numbers. Due to that, these Buccaneers have implemented the work ethic that has put them in outstanding physical shape to where they have the proper strength and conditioning to play just as hard on the final play of a game as they can on the first play. This could lead to huge wins when games are close when the fourth quarter begins.

Yes, the Buccaneers are in a tough league, the TRC, and their overall schedule is extremely challenging from start to finish. But, there are high expectations for so much more success due to the way this group has went through the process of improvement.

If this group of players continue buying into the culture established by Coach Morgan and his staff, along with continuing to focus on the process of improvement, this season could be the start of a new era of great success for Covington football.

2024 FOOTBALL ROSTER

SEASON IN REVIEW
The Covington Buccaneers made significant strides in 2024 despite still being a relatively young football team. After an 0-10 season a year ago, the Buccaneers finished 3-7 overall and 1-6 in a very tough league, the TRC. Plus, the Buccs also qualified for the state playoffs as the 16th seed.

In the state playoffs, which was the first appearance for Covington since 2020, the Buccaneers lost to Coldwater, who went on to win the state championship. Playing the Cavaliers was a perfect situation as it allowed the Buccaneers to witness the high standard it takes to reach the elite level.

Covington opened up the 2024 season with two straight wins over Arcanum and Dayton Christian. In the 54-27 victory over Arcanum, the number of points scored was the highest in the program since October 25, 2019 in a 74-6 win over Tri-County North.

In the 14-7 win over Dayton Christian, the Buccaneers found themselves in a tight battle, but a 75-yard fumble return by Trenton Havenar in the fourth quarter pretty much sealed the victory.

In week three the Buccaneers lost 35-15 to Fort Loramie in a game where the final score didn’t represent how competitive the game was. The overall difference in the outcome was the self inflicted wounds implemented by the Buccaneers with mistakes in critical situations. There were several scoring opportunities Covington squandered away and the Redskins were able to take advantage of the mistakes.

Covington rebounded with a 45-0 win over Troy Christian to improve to 3-1, but ended up losing six straight games down the stretch. In many of the losses the Buccaneers self inflicted themselves with critical mistakes to prevent victores.

It started off in a 23-17 loss to Bethel and then a 24-0 loss to Northridge, in a game where the Buccaneers accumulated 235 total yards and held Northridge to just 101 yards of offense. What ultimately hurt Covington against the Polar Bears were the five turnovers surrendered by the offense.

The Buccaneers played well in losses to Milton-Union and Lehman, two teams who were obviously talented,. But once again the Buccaneers self destructed themselves in a 26-14 loss against Riverside.

The regular season ended in a 42-14 loss to Miami East, but fortunately the Buccaneers were able to edge into the state playoffs as the final seed.

Overall, the entire season was impressive in regards to the overall attitude, effort, hard work and intensity the players put in on and off the field. The biggest problem for the Buccaneers was the struggling to execute consistently throughout each game.

Fortunately, the majority of the players in the program have the potential for future success. It all will be determined on the amount of hard work they all put in throughout the off-season and the relentless effort they are willing to give.