TROY – If there was ever a game the Covington Buccaneers need to put behind them for the time being, it is Friday’s 60-0 defeat to Troy Christian.

It is also a game the Buccaneers need to put in their memory bank for the future.

The reality is, things didn’t go well for the Buccaneers. It wasn’t the final score that hurts the most, but the way things went down is what makes the entire evening hard to swallow for the players, coaches and fans who attended.

First, the overall effort by the Buccaneers as a whole wasn’t at the same level as the first three games of the season. Yes, Covington is a young team, but the kids have fought their rear ends off in each of the first three outings.

Second, seeing an opponent kneel on the ball with four minutes to go in the game is the ultimate insult. Hopefully the Buccaneers remember that and use it as competitive fuel in the future.

Troy Christian started the game by scoring on a 54-yard touchdown run and then pushed its lead to 14-0 on a 6-yard run after a Buccaneer shanked punt.

On Covington’s next possession it fumbled the ball and it rolled into the end zone, which fortunately was recovered by the Buccaneers – resulting in a safety instead of a touchdown for the Eagles.

Troy Christian followed with a field goal and then intercepted a Buccaneer pass to set up another touchdown run to push its lead to 26-0.

The Eagles closed out the first quarter with a 29-yard touchdown pass to push their advantage to 33-0 at the end of the opening frame.

Bad breaks continued for the Buccaneers in the second quarter as the Eagles returned an interception 41 yards for a score and followed with a three-yard scoring run and a fumble recovery in the end zone for a 53-0 lead at the break.

Troy Christian scored once again in the second half on a three-yard run for the 60-0 win.

Yes, it was a very tough night for the Buccaneers, but overall it is a learning experience the kids can use to build on. How the kids respond will show their overall character and toughness.