DEGRAFF – The Covington Buccaneers suffered an unfortunate loss to Riverside 27-17 due to struggling to stop the Pirates’ running game.
Statistically, Riverside had 67 offensive plays, all in rushing attempts, while the Buccaneers only had 34 offensive plays throughout the game. The Pirates rushed for 378 yards with 200 of them being tallied by Gunner Carpenter, while the Buccs tallied 270 total yards on offense with 101 yards on the ground and 169 through passing. Plus, Riverside accumulated 23 first downs and the Buccs only recorded 10 first downs.
This all showcased how the Buccaneers suffered a loss even after building a 10-0 lead over Riverside at the end of the first quarter.
The Buccaneers took the opening possession in the game and on the first play Jordan Miller ran 58 yards for a touchdown. Filip McMaken followed up with a successful extra point to hand the Buccs a 7-0 lead with 11:45 left in the first.
Riverside opened up its opening possession of the game by moving into the red zone. Fortunately, Trenton Havenar recovered a Riverside fumble to take the ball over at the 30. The Buccs then drove inside the red zone, but a penalty limited the drive. Fortunately, Filip McMaken drilled a 37-yard field goal to put the Buccs up 10-0 with 3:21 left in the first quarter.
At that point of the game it appeared as though the Buccaneers were in position to control a victory, but Riverside pretty much took over the remaining three quarters by controlling the line of scrimmage.
It started off as Riverside responded with a touchdown to start the second quarter to close the gap to 10-7.
The Pirates then intercepted a Buccaneer pass at their own 35, but Covington held Riverside on fourth-and-three attempt to take the ball over at the 16 with 3:11 left in the half. Unfortunately, two plays later Riverside pick off another Buccaneer pass at their own 35. The Pirates then scored a touchdown to take a 14-10 lead at the half.
To start the second half Riverside recovered a short kickoff by Covington and then put together an eight minute drive by closing it out with a 13-yard touchdown run to take a 20-10 lead.
Covington followed up by moving the ball to first-and-goal after an impressive reception by Filip McMaken from quarterback Rider Robbins. Unfortunately a penalty moved the Buccaneers back and Riverside followed up by holding Covington on fourth down attempt.
This handed the ball back to the Pirates at the six and they then ran the ball the length of the field with several running plays. Riverside closed out the impressive drive by scoring on a 10-yard run to push the lead to 27-10.
The Buccaneers tried to battle back quickly as Rider Robbins connected to Filip McMaken with two great passes. A few plays later, Rider Robbins scored a touchdown on a one-yard run and Filip McMaken’s extra point closed the gap to 27-17 with 1:58 left in the game.
Covington tried an onside kick on the next play, but Riverside recovered the ball at the 44-yard line. The Pirates then drove all the way to the two and kneeled down to end the game.
The loss drops Covington’s record to 2-3 overall and now 1-1 in the TRC. The Buccaneers need to find a way to rebound next week on the road at Troy Christian.
SCORING:
1st – COV: Jordan Miller 58-yard run (Filip McMaken PAT) – 7-0
1st – COV: Filip McMaken 37-yard field goal – 10-0
2nd – RIV: Gunner Carpenter 1-yd run (PAT Good) – 10-7
2nd – RIV: Gunner Carpenter 6-yd run (PAT Good) – 10-14
3rd – RIV: Dylan Trimble 13-yd run (PAT Failed) – 10-20
4th – RIV: Gunner Carpenter 10-yd run (PAT Good) – 10-27
4th – COV: Rider Robbins 1-yd run (Filip McMaken PAT) – 17-27
