SIDNEY – The Covington Buccaneers lost to Lehman 35-7 in their fourth straight defeat to fall to 3-5 overall and 1-4 in the TRC.

Despite the loss, the Buccaneers didn’t self destruct themselves with as many mistakes as in the previous three games. The loss came against a very good Lehman team who is most likely the top team in the TRC.

Overall, the Buccaneers played with so much grit and determination through the entire game. The difference in the game was the overall outstanding performance of Lehman’s quarterback Turner Lachey, who was able to scramble around to make several huge plays despite being put under serious pressure by the Buccaneer defense.

Lachey threw for 389 yards and five touchdowns. Four of the five touchdown passes came when he scrambled out of potential sacks when Covington had several players chasing him in the backfield. Lachey’s mobility was amazing and gave his receiving core so much time to find a way to get open.

Covington’s secondary also played well despite the amount of yards surrendered in the passing game. The Buccs intercepted two passes and appeared to have a third interception that was denied as the officials stated the ball hit the ground.

Covington’s run defense was outstanding against a very good Lehman offense. The Buccs held the Cavaliers to just 20 yards on the ground throughout the entire game.

Offensively, the Buccaneers played better than they have in the previous three games, but unfortunately were only able to put seven points on the board with one touchdown in the second quarter when Landin Cassel threw a perfect pass to Day’Lynn Garrett in the corner of the end zone.

Another great scoring opportunity was in the mix when Cassel connected with Day’Lynn Garrett down the field for a big play. Garrett juked his way from two Lehman defenders and had a clear path to the end zone, but unfortunately he was called out of bounds, which prevented the potential touchdown.

The Buccs ran the ball very hard, especially the running by sophomore Jordan Miller, who tallied 77 yards on 17 carries. Covington finished with 75 yards on the ground on 30 carries. In the passing game, the Buccs tallied 126 yards on 10 completions out of 28 attempts.

One situation that hurt the Buccaneers the most was a touchdown by Lehman with just 22 seconds left in the half. Surrendering a touchdown in the final seconds of the first half has been the biggest obstacle for the Buccs in critical games as it also happened previously in losses to Fort Loramie and Milton-Union.

Overall the Buccaneers tallied 201 yards of offense, compiled 12 first downs and committed two turnovers, both on interceptions.

Lehman finished with 409 yards of offense and 17 first downs. The Cavaliers committed two turnovers on interceptions, both by Buccaneer junior Day’Lynn Garrett.

The Buccaneers have another stiff challenge next Friday at Riverside.

SCORING SUMMARY:
1st – LEH: CJ Olding 44-yd pass from Turner Lachey (Lachey Kick) – 0-7
2nd – LEH: Da’Ron Pride 55-yd pass from Turner Lachey (Lachey Kick) – 0-14
2nd – COV: Day’Lynn Garrett 20-yd pass from Landin Cassel (Parker Wyatt Kick) – 7-14
2nd – LEH: Dillon Schmeising 7-yd pass from Turner Lachey (Lachey Kick) – 7-21
3rd – LEH: Evan O’Leary 4-yd pass from Turner Lachey (Lachey Kick) – 7-28
3rd – LEH: Evan O’Leary 46-yd pass from Turner Lachey (Lachey Kick) – 7-35

	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	FINAL
BUCCS	0	7	0	0	7
CAVS	7	14	14	0	35