The Shadow
Over the last two Fridays, the Covington football team traveled 962 miles in the Group A, Division 1, Eastern Section playoffs.
Coach Rod Tenney caught his breath early this week and reflected on a 6-6 season that ended with a second-round 48-10 loss at Franklin last week.
“The kids played hard,” said Tenney, who was in his first year in charge of the Cougar program. “I thought we let a couple get away from us, but they played hard all the time.”
After winning the Pioneer District title in 2011, Covington lost a pair of league games in 2012.
Particularly concerning was the James River game, according to Tenney.
“We made some key mistakes in that James River game,” he said. “We ended up going for two and we could have won it anyway. But I felt like we had them stopped a couple of times and we let them get the ball back and restart their drives.
“And I was very disappointed in the Glenvar game,” Tenney added. “I felt like we were the better football team and we just didn’t play well.”
The best effort from his bunch?
“We lost the game, but I felt like against Giles, we played against a very good high school football team and we gave them a run for their money,” Tenney offered. “I think we surprised them and I think they were lucky to get out with a win.”
The Cougars and Tenney now turn their attention to 2013.
The big hole to fill will be the graduation of Troy Helton.
Helton ran for 1,205 yards in his senior season. He finished his career with 5,366 yards and accounted for 90 touchdowns, including his 16 touchdown throws.
“Troy’s shoes are huge to fill,” said Tenney. “You don’t have Troy Heltons come along very often. But we have some kids – Brandon Phillips, Raquann Matthews, Darnell Tolson, Luke Moye – that can make plays.”
Phillips was a dangerous return man and receiver, while leading the defense in tackles, Matthews had an area-high six interceptions, Tolson totaled 71 tackles, while Moye improved as much as anyone from start to finish.
Moye suffered a broken collarbone at Franklin and will undergo surgery on Friday.
“Luke grew by leaps and bounds,” said Tenney. “I feel like he will be a force next year and Br
