CHILLICOTHE – The Covington Buccaneers fell behind 13-0 due to early mistakes in their postseason game against Huntington, but the relentless effort and intensity displayed by the entire roster led to an impressive 35-20 comeback victory.

Every Buccaneer player contributed to the victory, but the player who made the biggest impact throughout the game was senior standout Jordan Miller. He rushed for 213 yards, caught two passes for 25 yards and scored twice — once on a 56-yard touchdown run and later on a 40-yard interception return. Miller accounted for 278 yards through rushing, receiving and his interception return.

The contest didn’t start well for the Buccaneers, as Huntington took advantage of early mistakes to put points on the scoreboard.

It started on the opening drive when the Buccaneer defense forced the Huntsmen into a third-and-26 situation. However, Huntington quarterback Frankie Hersch connected with LJ Cooper on a 31-yard touchdown pass to put Covington behind 7-0 early.

On the Buccaneers’ first offensive possession, they were stopped on a fourth-and-four attempt at the Huntsmen’s 41-yard line. Fortunately, the Buccs recovered a Huntington fumble at their own 2-yard line to prevent another potential touchdown.

Unfortunately, the Buccaneers were forced to punt from their own 32-yard line on the ensuing possession. A short punt gave Huntington the ball at midfield, and Hersch scored on the first play with a 50-yard touchdown run to put Covington behind 13-0 early in the second quarter.

The Buccaneers then committed a personal foul on the ensuing kickoff, forcing them to start their next possession at their own 14-yard line.

Covington responded by driving down the field behind strong rushing performances from Jordan Miller and Landin Cassel. The senior quarterback, Cassel, capped off the drive with a six-yard touchdown run. Unfortunately, a mishandled snap prevented the extra-point attempt, leaving the Buccs trailing 13-6.

Covington’s defense picked up its intensity and forced Huntington to punt on its next possession, giving the Buccaneers the ball at their own 26-yard line.

A few plays later, Jordan Miller broke loose for a 56-yard touchdown run. Filip McMaken converted the extra point to tie the game at 13-13 with 3:51 remaining in the first half.

The Buccaneers forced Huntington to punt again, and Miller returned the ball to Covington’s 27-yard line. However, a few plays later, the Buccaneers fumbled, and Huntington standout Frankie Hersch scooped up the loose ball and raced 20 yards into the end zone to give the Huntsmen a 20-13 lead with 1:35 remaining in the half.

Covington started its next possession at its own 37-yard line following the kickoff, but time expired before the Buccaneers could score, leaving Huntington with a 20-13 advantage at halftime.

The entire game changed in the second half as the Buccaneers elevated their intensity, physicality and determination.

The Buccs opened the second half at their own 40-yard line following Huntington’s kickoff. Throughout the possession, Covington’s running game executed extremely well, and the Buccaneers capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown run by Trenton Havenar.

Following a penalty against Huntington on the extra-point attempt, Havenar powered his way into the end zone for a successful two-point conversion to give Covington its first lead of the game at 21-20 with 7:28 remaining in the third quarter.

A short kickoff by Covington gave Huntington possession at its own 48-yard line. Fortunately, the Buccaneer defense came through with another big stop, shutting down the Huntsmen on a fourth-and-three attempt to regain possession at Covington’s 31-yard line.

The Buccaneers continued to execute their running game behind an impressive performance from the offensive line. Covington put together another time-consuming drive that was capped off by a two-yard touchdown run from Cassel.

McMaken converted the extra point to extend Covington’s lead to 28-20 with 11:15 remaining in the game.

The Buccaneers then executed an onside kick, which McMaken recovered to give Covington possession at Huntington’s 45-yard line.

A few plays later, Cassel broke loose for what appeared to be a 39-yard touchdown run, but the score was nullified by a holding penalty. The Buccaneers were eventually forced to punt from the 45-yard line.

However, Covington’s special teams unit came through by downing the punt at Huntington’s 5-yard line, forcing the Huntsmen to begin their next possession deep in their own territory.

A few plays later, Miller made another game-changing play by intercepting a pass and returning it 40 yards for a touchdown, extending Covington’s lead to 35-20.

On Huntington’s next possession, the Buccaneer defense came through with another impressive stop, giving Covington the ball back at the Huntsmen’s 37-yard line with 4:15 remaining in the game.

Covington’s offense continued to display its physicality in the running game, driving all the way to Huntington’s 3-yard line with approximately one minute remaining.

With the victory secured, the Buccaneers took a knee on two consecutive snaps to run out the clock and complete their impressive 35-20 comeback victory.

Offensively, Covington accumulated 390 total yards, including 341 yards on the ground. Huntington finished with 246 total yards, including 118 rushing yards and 128 passing yards.

Another significant difference in the contest was Covington’s ability to sustain drives, as the Buccaneers compiled 25 first downs compared to just 11 for Huntington.

The victory improves Covington’s overall record to 8-3 and advances the Buccaneers to the next round of the postseason.

Next Friday, the Covington Buccaneers (8-3) will face Deer Park (9-1) with an opportunity to continue their postseason run.

SCORING:
1st – HUN: LT Cooper 31-yard pass from Frankie Hersch (PAT Good) – 0-7
2nd – HUN: Frankie Herch 50-yard run (PAT Failed) – 0-13
2nd – COV: Landin Cassel 6-yard run (2PT Failed) – 6-13
2nd – COV: Jordan Miller 56-yard run (Filip McMaken PAT Good) 13-13
2nd – HUN: Frankie Hersch 20-yard fumble recovery return (PAST Good) – 13-20
3rd – COV: Trenton Havenar 1-yard run (Trenton Havenar 2PT Good) – 21-20
4th – COV: Landin Cassel 2-yd run (Filip McMaken PAT Good) – 28-20
4th – COV: Jordan Miller 40-yard interception return (Filip McMaken PAT Good) – 35-20