×
×
homepage logo

Six touchdowns get Cougars past Greenbrier East

By Bob Madison - For the Chronicle | Sep 18, 2020

Spencer Powell (23) looks downfield after a pass reception. David Pennock

SHENANDOAH JUNCTION — After sparring with Greenbrier East through the first half of last Friday’s football game in Shenandoah Junction, Jefferson scored four second-half touchdowns to get away from the Spartans and post a 42-23 win to move to tonight’s game at Spring Mills with a 1-1 record.

The Spartans, who had beaten Beckley Woodrow Wilson in their season opener, dipped to 1-1 overall.

Scoring the game’s first points had given the Cougars impetus and a 7-0 lead, but Greenbrier East responded with the next two scores, and despite missing an extra point, the visitors had a short-lived 13-7 lead.

An important scoring pass just before halftime boosted the Cougars into a 14-13 lead by intermission.

Greenbrier East kicked off to begin the last half, and the Cougars managed a second rushing touchdown to open a 21-13 advantage.

Spencer Powell (23) stretches for additional yardage after a pass reception. David Pennock

When the Spartans missed a field goal, Jefferson quickly tacked on a second passing touchdown to advance its improving lead to 28-13.

Four Jefferson scores were balanced, with two scores on the ground and two through the air.

The Spartans weren’t through, however, as early in the fourth period they counted another score and then added a two-point conversion to claw back within, 28-21 of the Jefferson lead.

Jefferson’s third scoring pass brought a 35-21 lead as the last quarter moved steadily toward the game’s final minutes.

Greenbrier East’s last points came on a safety. But the Spartans still trailed by double figures at 35-23.

Jon Gidney (13) breaks up a pass on the Jefferson 10-yard line. David Pennock

A third touchdown along the ground promoted the Cougar lead to 42-23, with still another successful point-after try.

In the last part of the fourth period, there was no more scoring by either side.

Spring Mills, now unbeaten in its first two games with wins over Washington and Hampshire, will host the Cougars tonight in its artificial turf stadium, just off Route 11, north of Martinsburg.

The Cardinals posted 55 points in stopping Washington and then had another 55-point game in topping winless Hampshire.

Greenbrier East had been a late edition to Jefferson’s schedule when contract-signed opponents Millbrook, Sherando, Dominion and Heritage from Virginia could not play this fall, because the state cancelled all public school football games. Also, a playing date against South Hagerstown was cancelled because of no high school football in Washington County, Md. this fall. For about two weeks, Albert Gallatin High from Uniontown, Pa. was on the schedule, but then that quickly arranged date fell through and Greenbrier East became a very late addition to the 10-game Jefferson schedule.