Despite their 3-6 record under new coach Larrie Tisdale, the Covington Buccaneers showed promise for the future.
Losing football seasons are a rarity in Covington. As a matter of fact, since the opening season of the modern era of Covington football in 1947, a Buccaneer team failed to record a winning season just twice.
The first was in 1947 when the Buccs recorded a 2-6 record. The second time Covington finished below .500 was in 1956 with a 2-6-1 record.
The 1967 Buccaneers are just the third team to finish without a winning record at 3-6.
But, there are some contributing factors which directly relate to the win/loss column.
The Buccaneers had to reload after four successful seasons under Tom Steele. The majority of the players contributing to those wins are gone and new faces emerged this season. Another factor was a new system was established under new coach Larrie Tisdale.
Considering the turnover in players, a new system to learn, and the brutal Mad River Valley League schedule, the season was more of a success then the record indicates.
Of the six defeats, Covington was competitive in each contest. The largest margin of defeat was 16 points; to Tipp City, 28-12 and Springfield Shawnee, 16-0. Also, in three of the losses the Buccs were within one score of gaining victory.
The Buccs did record some big wins as they defeated Miami East 14-8, and Northeastern, 22-16. Perhaps the biggest win of the season came against rival Bradford as Covington cruised to a 22-8 win.
Considering how competitive the Buccaneers were throughout the season and the way they improved as the season progressed, the outlook for 1968 looks bright. Gone will be nine seniors, but a solid nucleus of talented players return. Plus, there will be some familiarity with the new system implemented by coach Tisdale.