The Covington Buccaneers showcased the tremendous progress the football program has made over the past several years by closing out the 2026 season with an impressive 8-4 record and capturing their first league championship since 2016.
Throughout the season, the Buccaneers faced one of their toughest schedules since the 1980s, as their first five opponents all qualified for the state playoffs. Despite facing outstanding competition, Covington continued to demonstrate its determination, relentless effort and improvement as the season progressed.
The Buccaneers opened the season with an impressive 31-7 victory over Arcanum before suffering back-to-back losses to New Bremen, 40-7, and Graham, 27-0. However, one of the most significant victories of the regular season came in week four when Covington defeated rival Miami East in a thrilling 14-13 contest.
Unfortunately, Riverside handed the Buccaneers a 27-17 defeat in week five, but Covington responded in impressive fashion by closing out the regular season with five consecutive victories. The winning streak began with a dominating 49-7 victory over Troy Christian, followed by convincing wins against Bethel (34-6), Northridge (33-13), Milton-Union (47-6) and Lehman Catholic (49-12).
The five-game winning streak demonstrated how much the Buccaneers had improved throughout the season, particularly in their execution, physicality and overall consistency on both sides of the football. More importantly, their determination and hard work helped bring a long-awaited league championship back to Covington.
Finishing the regular season with a 7-3 record, the Buccaneers earned the 10th seed in the Division VI, Region 24 state playoffs. Covington opened the postseason with an outstanding 35-20 victory over seventh-seeded Huntington, marking the program’s first playoff victory since 2020.
The Buccaneers’ memorable season eventually came to an end in the regional quarterfinals with a 44-10 loss to a very talented and athletic Deer Park team. However, that defeat certainly did not diminish the remarkable accomplishments Covington achieved throughout the 2026 season.
From overcoming a challenging early-season schedule to putting together an impressive winning streak, capturing a shared league championship with Miami East and Riverside, plus earning a postseason victory, the Buccaneers demonstrated the tremendous growth of the football program.
The 2026 season was more than just an impressive 8-4 record. It was a season that reflected the dedication, commitment, teamwork and determination of the players and coaches who have worked tirelessly to restore the proud tradition of Covington Buccaneer football.
The Buccaneers had 16 seniors on the team and so many of them were four-year lettermen; James Kuether, Tyler Palsgrove, Jordan Miller, Jonathan Miller, Elijah Brooks, Brock Lyons, Filip McMaken, Trenton Havenar, Lucas Lester, Sam Helman, and Landin Cassel.
What was also extremely impressive was how well the underclassmen worked out throughout the season to have a huge impact on the program. So many of them got onto the varsity field throughout the season and several of them mad the offensive line outstanding as the season progressed, primarily, junior Gibson Leach, sophomore Haydan Windrow, sophomore Cutler Robbins, and freshman Corbin Robinson. Plus, the Buccaneers had a junior varsity schedule and won four out of five games.
Due to all of the off-season training the entire roster put through over the past year and if they all keep working hard to set them up for the future, the Covington Buccaneers will have another successful season in 2027.
2026 SENIORS INFORMATION IN ORDER OF JERSEY NUMBERS:
PARKER HOYING – #0
Parker established himself as a mentally tough player as he overcame two significant injuries throughout his high school career. He started as a wide receiver during his freshman year and became a three-year letterman. After missing his entire junior season due to a knee injury, Parker went through extensive rehabilitation to return for his senior year. He had a huge impact on the team as an outstanding receiver and also made impressive contributions as a defensive back.
CAREER RECEIVING STATS:
46 REC – 477 YDS – 3 TD
CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS:
67 TOT – 2 INT
JORDAN MILLER – #4
Jordan Miller was a four-year letterman throughout his high school career and had a huge impact on the team as a standout running back on offense and safety on defense. He rushed for 1,002 yards his senior year and broke the Buccs’ playoff game record with 230 rushing yards against Huntington. In the TRC, he was selected to the First Team on defense and Second Team as a running back during his senior season. He also earned Second Team honors as a sophomore and Honorable Mention as a junior. His effort and intensity established him as one of the elite players in the program during the 2020s.
CAREER RUSHING STATS:
394 ATT – 2282 YDS – 21 TD
CAREER RECEIVING STATS:
45 REC – 373 YDS – 2 TD
CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS:
291 TOT – 7.5 TFL – .5 SACK – 4 FF – 2 FR – 11 INT – 2 TD
JONATHAN MILLER – #5
Jonathan Miller was a standout player for Covington and a four-year letterman throughout his high school career. He excelled as a wide receiver and defensive back while also contributing on special teams. His most significant impact on the team came on defense, where he was outstanding in covering receivers and was very physical when making tackles. His enthusiasm and relentless effort had a huge impact on the Buccaneers’ football program.
CAREER RECEIVING STATS:
3 REC – 14 YDS – 0 TD
CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS:
79 TOT – 3 TFL – 2 FF – 1 FR – 4 INT
ELIJAH BROOKS – #7
Elijah Brooks was a four-year starter for the Buccaneers and earned varsity letters in all four seasons. He was a starting defensive lineman throughout his career and also started on the offensive line during his freshman and sophomore seasons. In his junior and senior seasons, Elijah moved from the offensive line to tight end, which allowed him to continue blocking while giving the team an additional receiving option. Throughout his career, Elijah was selected to the All-TRC First Team in 2026, Second Team in 2025 and received Honorable Mention in 2024.
CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS:
152 TOT – 48.5 TFL – 20.5 SACKS – 1 FF – 2 FR
LANDIN CASSEL – #8
Landin Cassel was a four-year starter and letterman for the Covington Buccaneers. He started at quarterback his freshman year and excelled not only at passing the football but also at running the ball throughout his career. He became the eighth Buccaneer quarterback to pass for over 1,000 yards in a season and only the fourth quarterback to accomplish that feat in two seasons. Landin also rushed for over 1,000 yards during his senior year, marking the 28th time a player had accomplished that feat in the history of the program, which began in 1947.
CAREER PASSING STATS:
282 CMP – 3356 YDS – 29 TD
CAREER RUSHING STATS:
497 ATT – 2813 YDS – 35 TD
JAMES KUETHER – #10
James Kuether was a four-year letterman in the Covington Buccaneers’ football program. He was a standout player as a wide receiver, defensive back and special teams contributor. His hard work, dedication, intensity and toughness carried on the tradition of the Covington football program and his family’s legacy, as he played at the same elite level as his older brother, Ben Kuether.
CAREER RECEIVING STATS:
11 REC – 105 YDS – 0 TD
CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS:
102 TOT – 7.5 TFL – 3 INT – 1 TD
FILIP McMAKEN – #12
Filip McMaken lettered all four years in football and established himself as one of the premier players in the program. He tied for second in program history with 13 career interceptions and was also one of the team’s most outstanding kickers. In 2025, Filip was selected All-TRC First Team as a kicker and in 2026 he was selected All-TRC First Team as a defensive back. He was also a very talented wide receiver for the Buccs.
CAREER RECEIVING STATS:
19 REC – 421 – 2 TD
CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS:
155 TOT – 5.5 TFL – 3 FF – 3 FR – 13 INT
CAREER KICKING STATS:
2-6 FG (LONG 31) – 68-80 PAT
TALON PREGRAM – #34
Talon Pergram joined the Covington Buccaneers’ football program during his senior year and contributed as a tight end, defensive back and special teams player. He suffered a significant injury that limited his time on the field, but his commitment to his teammates had a huge impact throughout the season. He helped the Buccaneers capture a share of the TRC Championship with Miami East and Riverside. The Buccaneers also reached the state playoffs for the 27th time in program history.
TYLER PALSGROVE – #36
Tyler Palsgrove had a huge impact on the Covington football program throughout his entire high school career as a four-year letterman. Palsgrove excelled in all three phases of the game — offense, defense and special teams. He was a standout running back on offense and an aggressive linebacker on defense for the Covington Buccaneers.
CAREER RUSHING STATS:
111 ATT – 492 YDS – 4 TD
CAREER RECEIVING STATS:
9 REC – 98 YDS – 0 TD
CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS:
103 TOT – 16.5 TFL – 6 SACKS – 3 FF – 4 FR – 1 INT
TRENTON HAVENAR – #40
Trenton Havenar was a standout football player throughout his high school career. He earned All-TRC First Team honors during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons after receiving Second Team recognition as a freshman. In 2026, he was also selected as the TRC Defensive Player of the Year. Havenar established career records in program history with 86 tackles for loss and 28.5 sacks. His physicality and relentless effort established him as one of the premier defensive players in Buccaneers history.
CAREER RUSHING STATS:
87 ATT – 364 YDS – 3 TD
CAREER RECEIVING STATS:
41 REC – 476 YDS – 4 TD
CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS:
303 TOT – 28.5 SACKS – 86 TFL – 10 FF – 5 FR – 1 TD
SAM HELMAN – #44
Sam Helman earned varsity letters in all four years of his high school football career at Covington. He was a three-year starter at linebacker for the Buccaneers and also made a huge impact on special teams throughout all four seasons. His contributions on special teams earned him a varsity letter as a freshman. Overall, Sam was a standout linebacker due to his intensity, hard work and relentless effort, which led to his selection in 2026 to the All-TRC First Team on defense.
CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS:
141 TOT – 14.5 TFL – 2.5 SACKS
PARKER SCHAEFFER – #50
Parker Schaeffer was a member of the Covington football program throughout all four years of high school. He played as an offensive and defensive lineman during his career, but his biggest impact on the team came as an offensive tackle. Unfortunately, Parker suffered a season-ending injury during his junior season, but he returned to make a huge impact on the offensive line throughout his senior year, earning First Team honors in the TRC. Parker’s toughness and intensity made him a key player in the Covington football program.
CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS:
21 TOT – 5.5 TFL – 0.5 SACKS
DIEGO LOPEZ – #55
Diego Lopez was a two-year letterman during his four years in the Covington football program. He was a key player on defense as a linebacker and also contributed on special teams. Diego made an impact on the offensive line as well due to injuries suffered by some of his teammates. His intensity, effort and hard work increased his physicality throughout his career. He also helped the Buccaneers qualify for the state playoffs in three straight seasons.
CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS:
64 TOT – 6 TFL – 1.5 SACKS – 2 FF – 4 FR – 2 INT
SAM WOLFE – #57
Sam Wolfe spent all four years of high school as a member of the Covington Buccaneers’ football program. He was a two-year letterman as an offensive and defensive lineman and helped the Buccaneers reach the state playoffs in three consecutive seasons — 2024, 2025 and 2026. Throughout his time on the team, Sam maintained a great attitude and put himself in a position to help the entire team improve. His contributions helped the Buccaneers share the TRC Championship with Miami East and Riverside in 2026.
CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS:
11 TOT – 1 TFL
BROCK LYONS – #58
Brock Lyons was a four-year letterman in the Covington football program as an offensive and defensive lineman. He started on the offensive line his freshman year in 2023 and continued to excel throughout his sophomore and junior seasons. Brock suffered a season-ending injury his senior year, but his attitude and leadership had a huge impact on the team in 2026. Throughout his high school career, the Buccaneers reached the playoffs in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and shared the TRC Championship in 2026.
CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS:
66 TOT – 4 SACKS – 6 TFL – 1 FF – 1 FR
LUCAS LESTER – #59
Lucas Lester was a phenomenal offensive and defensive lineman for the Covington Buccaneers throughout all four seasons of his high school football career. He was a four-year letterman and earned All-TRC First Team honors in 2025 and Second Team honors in 2026. Throughout his career, Lucas had a huge impact on the Buccaneers as he helped the team succeed in both the running and passing games. He was also a standout on the defensive line due to his physicality and intensity, which allowed him to put tremendous pressure on opposing offenses.
CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS:
86 TOT – 21 TFL – 10.5 SACKS
