An early three-touchdown lead held up and Jefferson defeated homestanding Hedgesville, 40-33, for its first football win of the season against two losses.

After two scores from Jeffrey Gaskins and a rushing touchdown from Jeremy Beach, the Cougars had a 21-0 lead before settling for a 27-10 lead by halftime.

After three quarters, Jefferson led, 34-13, scoring on a three-yard run by Jacob Biller in the quarter.

Hedgesville advanced quickly toward the Cougar lead, scoring points on its next two possessions.

Ahead only 33-26, the Cougars went on top, 40-26 when they traveled 80 clock-eating yards in 13 plays. Staying on the ground, the Cougars had Beach carry eight times and Myers five to put some additional distance between themselves and the Eagles.

There were only 31 seconds remaining when the Eagles got their last points on a short Jason Plotner-to-Taylor Hoeltje pass. Beach recovered the ensuing onside kick to extinguish Hedgesville’s final hopes.

Beach ran 22 times for 196 yards and had two scores. Myers had 185 rushing yards and threw for another 142 yards.

Jefferson had 387 rushing yards and 530 yards of total offense.

The Eagles, now 2-2 overall, had 334 yards of total offense.

The Cougars were repeatedly penalized and were guilty of 17 infractions and 164 walk-off yards. The Eagles were flagged nine times for 63 yards.

The Cougars continue on the road tonight with a game at Sherando in Stephens City, Virginia.