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Gene Studebaker and the Buccs are looking for another crack at the defending Cross County Conference champions, the Ansonia Tigers.
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Team
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CCC
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ALL
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Ansonia
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10-1
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16-4
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Twin Valley South
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9-2
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15-5
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National Trail
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7-4
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14-6
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Franklin Monroe
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7-3
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10-8
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Covington
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7-4
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11-10
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Tri-Village
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6-5
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9-11
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Tri-County North
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5-6
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9-11
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Arcanum
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4-7
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9-11
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Bethel
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5-6
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8-12
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Newton
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2-9
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4-16
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Mississinawa Valley
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2-9
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4-16
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Bradford
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0-11
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0-20
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How fitting is it for the Buccs to start the season against the same team that took the conference title from their grasp in the season finalie a year ago? How fitting is it for the game to be played on Covington's home floor?
The echos of the 2003-04 season finalie between the Buccs and Tigers at Ansonia can still be heard nearly 25 miles away in Covington. Throughout the off-season the Buccs have had to listen to those echos after being on the receiving end of a fourth period onslaught, which resulted in a 60-44 defeat for the conference title.
The memories of watching the Ansonia faithful pour onto the floor in celebration as the Buccs walked slowly to the lockerroom is fresh in each one of the player's minds. The memories of the chant "Over Rated" still rings in their ears.
Yes, the Buccs' biggest test and biggest game of the season is the first one. Ansonia comes to town on November 26th for a rematch of that faitful night.
The Tigers bring with them just about every player back from a year ago, which makes them the conference favorite. The Buccs lose a talented group of seniors, but a solid nucleus remains.
The season opener should be a classic and one neither team can afford to lose.
The Buccs' next three games are also at home as Fairlawn, Bradford and Arcanum come to town.
Covington's road schedule begins against defending state runner-up, Versailles. The Tigers dominated a year ago until injuries prevented a perfect season in the state finals against St. Henry. The Tigers are loaded and primed for another run.
After traveling to Mississinawa Valley next, the Buccs have two more games at home against a physical Tipp City team and rival Franklin Monroe.
The Buccs then close out 2004 on the road against two outstanding programs in Russia and Marion Local.
Newton plays hosts to the Buccs to begin 2005 before three more home games appear on the schedule.
Should the Buccs have success to this point of the season, they'll have to face a tough road schedule for the reamainder of the season. Five out of Covington's final six games are on the road and four of those games are against conference foes.
The schedule isn't easy and the road to the conference title is as tough as it has been in any year in recent memory. Regardless, it should be an exciting ride and it all starts against Ansonia on November 26th.
