DEGRAFF — Two teams heading in opposite directions early in the season will meet Friday night when the Riverside Pirates welcome the Covington Buccs to DeGraff for the Logan County Chronicle’s Week 5 Game of the Week.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with Riverside entering the matchup at 3-1 and riding a three-game winning streak. Covington, meanwhile, comes in at 2-2 after earning one of the biggest wins of its young season last Friday.

For Riverside, the season has taken a dramatic turn since opening night.

The Pirates dropped their season opener to Ansonia, 32-8, but have responded with three consecutive victories. Riverside erupted offensively in Week 2, defeating Northeastern 47-21, before blanking Spencerville 35-0 in Week 3. The Pirates then traveled to Milton-Union last Friday and continued their surge with a 34-14 victory.

Riverside has scored 116 points over its last three games while allowing just 35, establishing itself as one of the more dangerous teams in the Three Rivers Conference.

The Pirates' recent success has come from a balanced and explosive offense, coupled with a defense that has steadily become more disruptive. After allowing 32 points in the season opener, Riverside has surrendered just 14 points per game over its last three contests.

Now, the Pirates will look to carry that momentum into their matchup with Covington this season.

The Buccs arrive in DeGraff with plenty of momentum of their own.

After opening the season with a 31-7 win over Arcanum, Covington suffered back-to-back losses against New Bremen and Graham. The Buccs bounced back in a major way last Friday, however, edging Miami East 14-13 in a game that came down to the wire.

That victory could prove to be an important turning point for a Covington team that has already shown an ability to respond to adversity.

The Buccs will now face perhaps their toughest test since the season opener as they attempt to slow down a Riverside offense that has found its rhythm.

Covington struggled against a similar offense when Saint Paris Graham ran for 204 yards, and they defeated the Buccs 27-0. 

A Familiar Conference Battle

Friday's matchup also carries some recent history.

Covington defeated Riverside 34-6 when the teams met in 2025. The Buccs controlled much of that contest, rushing for 311 yards and holding Riverside to 213 total yards.

But this year's Riverside team enters Friday's game with a different look and significantly more momentum.

The Pirates have already demonstrated their offensive firepower, scoring at least 34 points in each of their last three games. Covington's defense will be tasked with slowing that attack while trying to give its offense enough opportunities to keep pace.

On the other side, Riverside's defense will face a Buccs offense coming off a confidence-building performance against Miami East.

What to Watch

Riverside's momentum: The Pirates have won three straight and have outscored opponents 116-35 during that stretch. Their ability to maintain that offensive production will be a major storyline Friday night.

Covington's defense: After holding Miami East to 13 points, the Buccs will need another disciplined defensive performance against a Riverside offense that has been one of the conference's hottest units.

The battle at the line of scrimmage: Both teams have shown an ability to establish the run. Whichever team controls the trenches could control the tempo and field position throughout the night.

The turnover battle: With two teams capable of producing big plays, avoiding costly mistakes could be the difference in what has the potential to be a tightly contested conference game.

The Bottom Line

Riverside enters Friday as the hotter team, but Covington comes in with the confidence that comes from knocking off one of the conference's top programs.

The Pirates will be looking to make it four consecutive wins and continue climbing the Three Rivers Conference standings. The Buccs, meanwhile, will try to build on last week's upset and prove that their 2-2 record does not tell the entire story.

With Riverside playing at home, an offense that has been rolling and Covington coming off an emotional victory, Friday's matchup has all the ingredients of a Game of the Week showdown.

Riverside and Covington meet Friday at 7 p.m. in DeGraff.