NEW LEBANON – The Covington Buccaneers showed significant growth and improvement in the final scrimmage against Dixie in preparation for the season opener next Friday.
More often than not, Covington executed very well in all three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams. The Buccaneers scored eight touchdowns on offense and one on special teams, while the defense allowed just one touchdown and one field goal.
On the first drive, Jordan Miller had a nice kick return to mid-field and then a huge run for a first down. Day’Lynn Garrett then scored on a 25-yard run.
On Dixie’s first possession, the Buccs pushed the Greyhounds back 25 yards and took over the ball at the Dixie 22. Three plays later Landin Cassel scored on a 15 yard run.
Once again Covington held Dixie on a three-and-out and Day’Lynn Garrett returned a punt for a touchdown.
Another three-and-out materialized after a sack by Trenton Havenar and the Buccs took over the ball in excellent field position once again at the Dixie 35. It took three plays for the Buccs to reach the end zone once again as Tanner Palsgrove had two big runs and Day’Lynn Garrett hauled in a 10-yard pass from Landin Cassel in the end zone.
The Buccaneer defense held Dixie again on the ensuing drive and Jordan Miller scored on a 31-yard run.
On the first play of the next possession Day’Lynn Garrett scored on 65-yard reception from hauling a pass from Cassel over the middle and then Trenton Havenar scored on a 51-yard reception.
The Buccaneers scored once more before the half on a five-yard run up the gut by Tanner Palsgrove.
Dixie showed no quit as it score on a 20-yard run with 1:35 left in the half. The Buccs gave the Greyhounds some momentum by committing three personal fouls on that drive.
To start the second half, Jordan Miller caught a short pass from Landin Cassel for a touchdown.
Throughout the entire scrimmage the Buccaneer coaching staff gave every player on the roster an opportunity to play.
The majority of plays were well executed, but there were some situations the Buccaneers need to improve on – untimely penalties, dropped passes and some missed tackled. One penalty negated what would have been another touchdown on special teams.
But overall the Buccaneers showed a significant amount of improvement and are heading into the season opener with the right mentality and relentless energy.
