COVINGTON – The Covington Buccaneers hindered themselves with several mistakes that led to an unfortunate 27-0 loss to Graham.

Graham started off the game by receiving the opening kickoff and moved the ball near midfield. Fortunately, the Buccaneers forced Graham to punt and took over their opening possession at their own five.

The Buccaneer offense only gained a few yards in three plays and were forced to punt deep in the end zone. This led to Graham getting its next possession started at the Buccs’ 39 and a couple plays later they got called for a pass interference. Graham followed up by scoring on an 11-yard run to make the score 7-0 with 5:45 left in the first period.

Covington started off at the 29 and came up short on a fourth down play at the Graham 37. Fortunately, three plays later Parker Hoying intercepted a pass to give the ball back at the Buccs’ 23.

Two plays later, the Buccaneers fumbled and Graham recovered the ball at the 18 and four plays later the Falcons scored on a one yard run to increase their lead to 14-0 with 10:23 left in the half.

Graham then attempted an onside kick and Lucas Lester recovered it for the Buccs at the 48. With a great field position, the Buccaneers struggled to execute as two straight dropped passes forced Covington to punt. A bad snap on the punt attempt shut Covington down eight yards back to give Graham the ball at the Buccs’ 40.

The Buccaneers defense forced Graham to punt and the ball was down at the 15 yard line. Covington then had a holding penalty that eliminated a 15-yard run by a Jordan Miller and then had an illegal motion penalty to put the offense into a second-and-18. The next play was intercepted by Graham and returned to the Buccaneers’ six. Graham scored on a 6-yard run to push its lead to 21-0 with 5:34 left in the half.

The Buccs get their next possession on a kickoff at the 26 and two huge first down runs by Havenar set the Buccs up at midfield. Unfortunately, a bad snapped pushed the Buccs back to second-and-19. That eliminated the drive and the Buccs had to punt two plays later, which gave Graham the ball at the one with 2:21 left in the half.

The score remained in favor of Graham 21-0 at the half and the Buccs returned a kickoff to start the third period. The offense went three-and-out to punt and Graham returned it for a 55-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 27-0.

Covington started off the next possession at their own 27 and Jordan Miller made another run for several yards that was eliminated by a holding penalty that put the Buccs to a second-and-18. That ended the drive as the Buccs had to punt two plays later. The punt was returned 25 yards to the 40.

Fortunately. the Buccs forced Graham to punt on a three-and-out and took the ball over at their own 21. Landin Cassel connected with Eli Brooks on a pass, but a holding penalty by the Buccs moved the offense back to third-and-17 from the 13-yard line. Cassel then connected with Parker Hoying to make it fourth-and-1 and Trenton Havenar recorded a first down on a run.

A few plays later the Buccs were on a fourth-and-11 situation and Landin Cassel connected with Parker Hoying for a 31-yard passing play. Graham had two penalties that put the Buccaneers on first-and-goal at the three. After the first run play that was short from the goal line, Graham had an onside penalty to move the ball at the one. Unfortunately, the Buccs were stopped on the next three plays from crossing the goal line.

Graham then drove the ball for nearly eight minutes inside the red zone. Fortunately the Buccs held the Falcons on a fourth-and-goal with 2:56 left in the game.

Covington then went three-and-out and punted to the 38 in favor of Graham with 1:50 left. The Falcons then kneeled on the remaining snaps to close out the time of the game.

Statistically, the Buccaneers tallied 156 total yards of offense with 73 yards in rushing and 83 in passing. Graham accumulated 217 total yards of offense with 198 on the ground and 19 throw the air. Covington committed two turnovers and Graham committed one.

The Buccaneers are now 1-2 so far this season and have a critical TRC matchup with Miami East next Friday at home.

SCORING:
1st – GRAHAM – Jakob Hoke 11-yd Run (PAT Good) – 0-7
2nd – GRAHAM – Danny Hoke 1-yd Run (PAT Good) – 0-14
2nd – GRAHAM – Jakob Hoke 6-yd Run (PAT Good) – 0-21
3rd – GRAHAM – Donovan Corwin 55-yd Punt return (PAST Failed) – 0-27