DAYTON – The Covington Buccaneers captured their third straight win by defeating Northridge 33-13 to improve their season record to 5-3.

Covington started off the game by receiving the opening kickoff from Northridge and took possession at its own 35-yard line following an eight-yard return by Sam Helman.

The Buccs then put together a well-executed, time-consuming drive that ate up seven minutes and 26 seconds. Landin Cassel capped off the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run, and Filip McMaken’s extra point put the Buccaneers up 7-0 with 4:34 left in the first quarter.

Covington then held Northridge to a three-and-out, and freshman Xander Feight returned the punt to the Buccs’ 42-yard line. Covington ate up the rest of the first quarter with another well-executed drive, and Tyler Palsgrove scored on a 3-yard run to push the lead to 14-0.

The Buccaneer defense followed up by holding Northridge to another three-and-out, giving the offense the ball back at its own 27-yard line. On this third possession, Covington was in position for another successful drive following a great pass from Landin Cassel to Parker Hoying. Unfortunately, a penalty nullified the play and forced the Buccs to punt for the first time in the game.

Covington’s defense forced the Polar Bears to punt once again, and the Buccs got the ball back at the Northridge 30-yard line. Landin Cassel then completed a pass to Jordan Miller at the 17-yard line, and Miller ran the ball into the end zone on the next play. A bad snap eliminated a possible extra point, so the Buccs were up 20-0 with 3:17 left in the half.

The Buccs forced Northridge to punt for the fourth straight possession, and Xander Feight returned the ball to midfield. Rider Robbins then threw a great pass to Jordan Miller, who advanced the ball to the 13-yard line. Miller followed with a 13-yard touchdown run on the next play to push Covington’s lead to 26-0 with 1:37 left in the half.

At this point in the game, the Buccaneer defense had held Northridge to just four yards of offense and prevented the Polar Bears from gaining a single first down.

With very little time remaining in the first half, the Polar Bears were finally able to find some rhythm through the passing game as they put together their first successful drive down the field. Northridge then scored a touchdown with 13 seconds left on the clock to make the score 26-7 at halftime.

Northridge received the ball to start the second half, but Covington linebacker Tyler Palsgrove made a critical interception. Two plays later, Landin Cassel broke loose for a 47-yard touchdown run to put the Buccs up 33-7 with 8:10 left in the third quarter.

The Buccaneers then stopped Northridge on fourth down and took possession at their own 26-yard line. Unfortunately, Covington’s offense committed three consecutive penalties that forced the Buccs to punt for the second time in the game.

The Polar Bears took advantage of an opportunity on the ensuing possession, scoring on a 51-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-four play to close the gap to 33-13 with 1:24 left in the third quarter.

On the Buccs’ next possession, they put together another time-consuming drive, but they were stopped on fourth-and-four at their own 48-yard line. A few plays later, Filip McMaken intercepted a pass with 3:49 left in the game.

The Buccaneers then ran down the clock to preserve the 33-13 victory.

Offensively, Covington tallied 396 total yards, including 318 rushing yards and 78 passing yards. Northridge accumulated 282 total yards of offense, with 46 yards on the ground and 236 through the air.

Covington accumulated 22 first downs, while Northridge recorded 14.

The Buccaneers are now 4-1 in the TRC and will host Milton-Union next Friday.

SCORING:
1st – COV: Landin Cassel 3-yard run (Filip McMaken PAT – 7-0
1st – COV: Tyler Palsgrove 3-yard run (Filip McMaken PAT) – 14-0
2nd – COV: Jordan Miller 17-yard run (2pt Conversion Failed) – 20-0
2nd – COV: Jordan Miller 13-yard run (PAT Failed) – 26-0
2nd – NR: Kenny Cboins 21-yard pass from Tyree Carter (PAT Good) – 26-7
3rd – COV: Landin Cassel 47-yard run (Filip McMaken PAT) – 33-7
3rd – NR: Mekhi Tyree 51-yard pass from Evan Austin (PAT Failed) – 33-13