Chronicle photo by David Pennock Jefferson QB Corbin Pierson (2) makes his way down the field as Musselman defenders baredown on him during last Friday night’s game in Inwood. The Cougars lost the game 39-0 to a currently undefeated Applemen. Jefferson takes on Hedgesville tonight at 7 p.m. in Shenandoah Junction.

INWOOD – After dropping a 39-0 verdict to unbeaten Musselman, Jefferson will attempt to curb its three-game losing streak to begin the 2017 season tonight at home against Hedgesville, a team with a 2-1 overall record.

The Cougars fell victim to Musselman quarterback Chris Fox, who punctured their defense for 340 passing yards and five TD passes.

Fox found Blake Hartman for three of those touchdowns. Hartman caught scoring passes of 13 and 66 yards in the first half, and then added a third touchdown in the second half.

The Applemen had a 19-0 lead by halftime and then outpointed the Cougars, 20-0, in the second half.

Tyler Sine grabbed a 9-yard TD pass from Fox, Cam Medler had a 63-yard catch-run score and Jacob Northcraft rambled 48 yards for the sixth Musselman score.

Jefferson had beaten the Applemen, 36-0, in the state’s 2016 Class AAA playoffs.

The Musselman limited Jefferson’s ground offense and wouldn’t allow points through the air, either.

Through three losing games, the Cougars have been outscored by Millbrook, Sherando and Musselman – three of the four toughest teams on the 10-game schedule – by a combined 139-25.

Musselman had defeated Spring Mills and Chestnut Ridge (Pennsylvania) in its two earlier games.

Hedgesville comes to Shenandoah Junction tonight with lop-sided wins over Washington and Mountain Ridge (Maryland) and a 12-2 loss to South Hagerstown.