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Scoring early, Jefferson holds off University

By Bob Madison - For the Chronicle | Oct 16, 2020

Sophomore Even Tewell (3) led Jefferson High School's running attack in an upset victory over University High School on Friday night. David Pennock

MORGANTOWN — Facing a fifth-straight opponent, which was unbeaten up to its game against Jefferson High School, the road-show Cougars scored early and then kept University High School at bay in stopping the homestanding Hawks, 14-13, in distant Morgantown.

The Cougars opened the season against a Musselman team that was likewise playing its first game. The next week, Greenbrier East visited Shenandoah Junction with a 1-0 record. And then came Springs Mills with a 2-0 mark. Then following that road game, Frankfort visited with its unbeaten record. University, which only began to wade into its schedule on Oct. 2, had a 1-0 record when Jefferson came to the college city.

Outlasting University left the Cougars at 2-3 and in the thick of a logjam of teams still in the running for a Class AAA playoff spot. The Hawks were 1-1 when they could not completely overcome a 14-0 deficit from the opening quarter.

The first of the scoring came after Jefferson recovered a University fumble deep in Hawks’ territory. The Cougars punched in a score on a seven-yard run with about seven minutes left in the opening period. Adding what would become an all-important extra point, Jefferson led, 7-0. With less than a minute left in the first quarter, the Cougars managed their second score . . . and again added the extra point to move to a 14-0 lead.

Still back on its collective heels following the Jefferson scores, University managed its first points with about 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter. Chase Edwards connected with T.T. Brooks on a 26-yard score. And the vital extra point cut Jefferson’s lead to 14-7.

Keyshawn Robinson (16) returns a University High School kick-off in Jefferson High School's win in Morgantown. David Pennock

It was still a 14-7 Cougar lead at halftime.

Neither team scored in the third period. With the last quarter moving rapidly toward its end, University got its last points on another Edwards-to-Brooks pass. However, the ensuing extra point attempt failed, and Jefferson still clung to a 14-13 lead.

No more points could be counted by either side. And Jefferson had a road win to add to its earlier win in Shenandoah Junction over Greenbrier East.

None of the four remaining teams on Jefferson’s schedule remains undefeated, so that unusual situation where all of the Cougar opponents were unbeaten when facing Jefferson won’t happen again.

Spencer Powell (23) stretches out for a sideline pass against University in Morgantown on Friday night. David Pennock