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Tipton County's Newspaper since 1886

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J.R. Kirby

Charger football players Skylan Smith, Gage Ward, Oscar Brock sign scholarships

By Jeff Ireland on March 5, 2025

Covington enjoyed another stellar football season in 2024 and college recruiters noticed. Three of the key seniors on that team – Skylan Smith, Gage Ward and Oscar Brock – signed scholarships last week. Smith, who won Mr. Football after last season, signed with Bethel University. He rushed for 1,838 yards and 36 scores on 166 carries (11.1 yards per carry) in 2024 a year … [Read more...] about Charger football players Skylan Smith, Gage Ward, Oscar Brock sign scholarships

Covington football coach J.R. Kirby leaving to take head job at Henry County

By Jeff Ireland on January 22, 2025

Family and opportunity.  Those are probably the best two words to explain why highly successful Covington football head coach J.R. Kirby is leaving the Chargers to take the same job at state power Henry County.  He made it official on Tuesday when he submitted his resignation to Tipton County Schools. Also on Tuesday he broke the news to Covington’s football … [Read more...] about Covington football coach J.R. Kirby leaving to take head job at Henry County

Chargers pick up dramatic win vs. Fairley in Memphis

By The Leader on September 25, 2023

“Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made.” - Gen. Robert R. Neyland, game maxim No. 6 For all of the big plays that happened in Covington’s 42-38 win over Fairley on Friday at J.P. Freeman Stadium in Memphis, none may have been more important than Fairley's five failed two-point conversion attempts. Fairley (4-2) matched CHS touchdown for touchdown, six … [Read more...] about Chargers pick up dramatic win vs. Fairley in Memphis

It was much closer this time, but Covington beat Brighton in a closely-contested game

By Jeff Ireland on August 28, 2023

[metaslider id=12656] Entering Friday night's game between county rivals Covington and Brighton, the Chargers had beaten the Cardinals six straight times, and none of them were close. The combined score of those six games: Covington 280, Brighton 65. Covington won last year's game 49-6. From the outset of Friday's game in Covington, it was clear this game was going to be … [Read more...] about It was much closer this time, but Covington beat Brighton in a closely-contested game

Munford beats Covington in season opener for second straight year

By Jeff Ireland on August 21, 2023

[metaslider id=12624] With five minutes left in the third quarter of Friday night's Covington-Munford game, it looked like the packed house on hand in Munford was going to get something that has been rare of late: a down-to-the-wire football game between two Tipton County rivals. When Covington running back Skylan Smith scored from nine yards out to cut Munford's lead to … [Read more...] about Munford beats Covington in season opener for second straight year

Covington wins region title, earns home field advantage in playoffs with rout of Bolivar

By The Leader on October 10, 2022

Coaches look for efficiency on offense. The Chargers took that statistic to a ridiculous level in a 49-6 rout at Bolivar on Friday night. Covington ran 17 plays from scrimmage in the first half and scored 42 points. That’s 1.75 points per minute or, even crazier, 2.47 points per play. The win clinches the Region 7-3A championship that has eluded the Chargers (6-1 overall, 4-0 … [Read more...] about Covington wins region title, earns home field advantage in playoffs with rout of Bolivar

Covington demolishes Dyersburg, all but clinching region title

By The Leader on October 3, 2022

[metaslider id=11317] “That may be the most complete game that I have seen a team play in my 17 years coaching.” So said Covington head coach J.R. Kirby after his Chargers posted their third shutout of the season in a 34-0 demolition of the Dyersburg Trojans in a Region 7-3A game Friday night in Covington. The story line centered on the Covington defense, which held the … [Read more...] about Covington demolishes Dyersburg, all but clinching region title

Covington routs Ripley for fourth straight win

By The Leader on September 20, 2022

The Hatchie River border war that is the heated rivalry in every sport between the Ripley Tigers and the Covington Chargers saw the Chargers take no prisoners in the latest skirmish, a 42-7 region win at Tiny Knee Stadium on Friday night. The CHS (4-1 overall, 2-0 Region 7-3A) defense set the tone, allowing the Tigers (3-2, 1-1) just 64 yards of offense before giving way to … [Read more...] about Covington routs Ripley for fourth straight win

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Featured News

Tipton County NAACP to Host Juneteenth Celebration in the Park

June 13, 2025 By Echo Day

COVINGTON – The … [Continue Reading...] about Tipton County NAACP to Host Juneteenth Celebration in the Park

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June 13, 2025 By Echo Day

COVINGTON – The … [Continue Reading...] about Depot Day brings live music, classic cars, and local flavor to Covington

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The Leader is a weekly newspaper, published on Thursdays, serving Tipton County, Tenn. since 1886.

Contact us: news@covingtonleader.com

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