Jefferson High School's football team takes the field at Millbrook High School, in the initial game of the season last Friday night. David Pennock

WINCHESTER, Va. — Finding themes that could last for the entire season in Jefferson’s 27-22 win over Millbrook High School proved to be nearly impossible.

Coming off a stellar 2021 season, where it showed a 10-2 overall record and even a playoff win, the Cougars put on display a large number of players with above-average speed and quickness that were talented enough to repel the second-half comeback of the Pioneers.

The Cougars once held a 20-0 lead that came with first-half scores from quarterback Quinton Goins, receiver Tay’shaun Roper and running back Dylan Harich.

Goins swept in from 12 yards, Roper took a short sideline pass from Goins and fled 59 yards on his own and Harich ran in from the eight as Jefferson owned the first part of the night.

But then Pioneers got the last points of the half and were down 20-7 when the second period closed.

Jefferson High School running back Tay'shaun Roper (6) takes a swing pass 60 yards for a touchdown on Friday night. David Pennock

Even though it had counted 20 points by halftime, it was the Cougar defense which impressed the most with its run-stopping ability.

Millbrook, gaining confidence with its more effective defense, scored the first points in the last half and made it a 20-15 game. Jefferson could not break any long gainers and it wasn’t going on any extended drives or clock-eating probes into Pioneer territory.

Then late in the third quarter, the Cougars started a telling drive at their own 25 that eventually made Millbrook surrender more points. Moving 75 yards without a drive-killing penalty or turnover, it took the Cougars 12 textbook plays to score again from the Pioneer eight when Goins threw into the back of the end zone to a full-out Spencer Powell, whose twisting leap brought Jefferson a temporary 27-15 lead.

Back came the recharged Millbrook rally, and another score brought it within 27-22 with only 1:33 left to play.

When Jefferson alertly recovered the ensuing onside kick, the tension finally eased and the Cougars ran out the clock to seal the season-opening win.

The catch and run by Isaiah Fritts (8) led to Jefferson High School's first score of the game against Millbrook High School on Friday night. David Pennock

Millbrook achieved 214 yards of total offense, in comparison with the Cougars showing 277 yards, but only 88 yards of that total were managed on the ground.

Goins, in his first-ever start, was a solid 13-for-16 for 189 yards through the air. Fritts, who owned a 41-yard reception, had three catches as did Powell and Keyshawn Robinson.

On Jefferson’s only score in the second half, Goins was 7-for-7 and ably herded his team into the end zone.

A clearer picture of Jefferson’s developing season will come tonight at home when revitalized Sherando (Stephens City, Va.) comes to Shenandoah Junction for a 7 p.m. game.

The Warriors crushed county opponent James Wood, 54-8, last week while playing on the road.

Jefferson’s error-free, early-game potency had given it enough points to move to its home-opener with a winning performance.