SEASON PREVIEW

The Covington Buccaneers have a significant amount of returning players with experience on the field, which hopefully leads to a great season in 2026.

Last year the Buccaneers finished 5-5 in the regular season and lost the first round of the state playoffs, but overcame so many unfortunate injuries that put the team into unfortunate situations. Fortunately, the Buccaneers battled back by winning five out of the last six regular season games and finished third in the TRC standings with a 5-2 league record.

This year the Buccaneers have 38 players on the roster, the most on the team since the 2020 season. Seventeen of the players on the roster are seniors and several of them are entering in their fourth season as a starter.

The seniors are Elijah Brooks, Landin Cassel, Lucas Lester, Trenton Havenar, Sam Helman, Diego Lopez, Parker Hoying, James Kuether, Brock Lyons, Filip McMaken, Jonathan Miller, Jordan Miller, Tyler Palsgrove, Parker Schaffer, Caiden Walters, Sam Wolfe and Talon Pergram.

Trenton Havenar was selected First Team in the TRC league as a Tight End and a Defensive Lineman and Filip McMaken was selected First Team in two positions as well as a Defensive Back and Kicker. Lucas Lester was selected in the league as a First Team on the Offensive Line position. Elijah Brooks earned Second Team honor in the league as a Defensive Lineman, while Landin Cassel and Jordan Miller earned Honorable Mention. These six returning senior standout players will be critical in providing the team with leadership.

The Buccaneers also have 17 returning lettermen from a year ago; seniors Jonathan Miller, Jordan Miller, Trenton Havenar, Landin Cassel, Elijah Brooks, Lucas Lester, Filip McMaken, Sam Wolfe, Tyler Palsgrove, James Kuether, Brock Lyons, Sam Helman and Diego Lopez, along with juniors Rider Robbins an Gibson Leach and sophomores Cooper Turner and Cutler Robbins. There are two more seniors, Parker Hoying and Parker Schaffer, who have performed well in previous years, but both suffered season-ending injuries a year ago. Fortunately, Hoying and Schaffer are talented and now healthy for the upcoming season.

The Buccaneers are also in potential success due to an ideal coaching staff; head coach Austin Morgan and assistant coaches, Lance Miller, Mike Treon, Frank Evans, Jordan Hackett, Andy Whiteman, Cam Kirker, Austin Hart, Cleadous Hawk. Coach Morgan is in his sixth season as the head coach and heading the program back to possible winning seasons due to his philosophies and the opportunities he is providing to the athletes to maximize their potential.

The regular season schedule is challenging, but Covington has the talent and enough experience to put forth a very successful season. With the hard work and determination put in throughout the offseason by the majority of the players, the RELENTLESS culture is in motion.

2026 BUCCANEER FOOTBALL ROSTER