No two ways about it. No hyperbole.
The Chargers deconstructed the Raleigh-Egypt Pharaohs 54-6 on Friday night in the opening round of the TSSAA Class 3A football playoffs.
Raleigh-Egypt (5-5), the Region 8-3A third seed, completed just two passes for 40 yards and an interception and rushed 22 times for just 18 yards. CHS’ best defensive effort this season held them to 58 total yards.
Covington, on the other hand, ran all over the visitors, amassing 379 yards on 22 carries. Tanner Stewart had one of his best games at quarterback.
“I thought Tanner handled his duties really well,” said Covington head coach J R Kirby. “We ran the ball with authority on offense and took care of business on defense.”
A.C. Mason opened the party with a 69-yard return of the opening kickoff for a TD. With placekicker Gabe Wellentin sidelined, Covington converted five two-point attempts before giving way to Robert Dohnken, who made a pair of PATs.
Jamarion Dowell added more credentials to his Mr. 3A Football semifinalist nomination. He rushed seven times for 152 yards and 2 TDs on scoring runs of 52 and 41 yards. Eumorrion Flowers had six touches for 30 yards and Jalen Fayne added a TD on a 65-yard scamper and 102 yards on three rushes. Stewart misfired on his only passing attempt but scored a TD, finishing with 25 yards on three rushes. Dohnken scored a rushing TD and had eight carries for 56 yards.
The Chargers (8-2) will host one of their oldest and most bitter foes on Friday night in the Ripley Tigers. The winner advances to next week’s Class 3A state quarterfinals.
“Covington and Ripley know one another really well,” Kirby said. “There is no love lost between the two programs. They gave us a fight back in September, particularly in the passing game. We have to contain (quarterback) Jack Hearn and do a better job in the secondary.”
