Lee Forshee (10) leads Jefferson onto their new turf field. David Pennock

SHENANDOAH JUNCTION — New playing surface. Newly-found variety of ways to score. New way to start a football season for Jefferson High School — stopping Millbrook High School, 55-23, to begin the 2021 campaign.

After taking a 7-0 lead, Jefferson had a steady variety of scoring plays to keep the Winchester, Va.-based Pioneers from ever getting a lead.

Still ahead, 7-0, the opportunistic Cougars jumped on a Millbrook fumble and quickly scored again to move in front 14-0.

When Millbrook closed to within 27-16 of the Cougar lead, a scoring answer from Jefferson came on the next play with kickoff-return points that sent the count to 34-16.

Leading 34-16 in the last period, Jefferson fashioned the final extinguisher to Millbrook’s chances with a punt-return touchdown.

Isaiah Fritts (8), in the big night against Millbrook, was capped with this punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter. David Pennock

Add on a fumble-recovery score and a second-half 53-yard TD run and the Cougars had overcome the two TD passes by Millbrook’s Detric Brown to Braden George to win by 32 points in the season-opener for both teams.

After the four Jefferson captains completed the pre-game coin toss on the colorful artificial turf field, the Cougars got started toward the eventual dismantling of the Pioneers.

Offensive stalwarts Sammy Roberts, Isaiah Fritts, Spencer Powell, Keyshawn Robinson, Brady Chrisman, Tayshaun Roper, Davis Cummings and friends accounted for 378 yards of total offense. Severe breakdowns on special teams, a couple turnovers and a bent for allowing Jefferson to score from long distance made Millbrook’s 309 yards of total almost seem incidental.

Whenever needed, Jefferson grabbed a fistful of enthusiasm and curbed Millbrook’s momentum — often with one jolting play.

Millbrook’s early-game attempts to blunt Jefferson’s passing game with a three-man defensive front proved fruitless. And then came Jefferson points with regularity on a kickoff return, punt return, fumble return, scoring pass, short run and 53-yard run. The Brown-to-George passing combination could not hold Millbrook together long enough to keep Jefferson off its scoring highway.

Spencer Powell (23) goes up for a pass reception in Jefferson High School's Game against Millbrook High School.

Jefferson saw as much celebration throughout the stands, on the sidelines and after the game as has been seen in Shenandoah Junction in some entire previous seasons.

The aftermath had Jefferson holding a rare win over Millbrook, and getting ready to go for a rare win at Sherando High School in Stephens City, Va. Sherando lost its season opener to James Wood High School last week.

The $950,000 artificial turf playing surface had been properly christened with 55 Jefferson points.

“Return” TDs had been like wild cards in high stakes poker game. And Jefferson had 1-0 record to be further enthusiastic about after one week.