Jefferson High School running back Tay'Shaun Roper breaks away for a touchdown at Sherando High School on Aug. 31. David Pennock

STEPHENS CITY, Va. — After both Jefferson High School and Sherando High School missed short field goal tries in the second overtime, the game lurched into the third overtime where the Warriors managed a short TD run from Micah Carlson to trip the visiting Cougars 34-28 in the extended game.

Sherando moved its early-season record to 1-1 and the Cougars will carry a similar 1-1 record into tonight’s home game against winless (0-2) Spring Valley, which has seen only powers Huntington and Cabell Midland in its two games.

Jefferson once had a 21-10 lead, but that advantage was overtaken by a long 83-yard special teams return of a kickoff and then a second lengthy 79-yard kickoff return by the same Christian Ruiz. Ruiz’s second dash carried to the Cougar 11, but the Warriors could manage just a field goal from there.

Tay’Shaun Roper’s 65-yard TD run, a five-yard scoring pass from Dylan Harich to Jackson Rockwell and a Roper six-yard scoring catch of a Harich on-target throw had given the Cougars their first 21 points. Roper’s short scoring run came after Rockwell had made a 63-yard pass completion on another Harich pass that carried to the Sherando four.

Trailing, 21-10, the homestanding Warriors used a 31-yard Smith field goal and Ruiz’s 66-yard run to get within 21-19, from where Carlson connected with Brady Largent on a two-point conversion to make it 21-21.

Jackson Rockwell pulls down a pass for Jefferson High School against Sherando High School's defensive players on Aug. 31. David Pennock

In the first overtime, both side’s kicking specialists missed field goal attempts.

Sherando opened the second overtime with a Carlson to Largent six-yard pass getting them points that were then matched by Keyshawn Robinson’s short run that sent the struggle into the third overtime.

Carlson’s two-yard run finally provided the Warriors with the points they needed to close the night’s elongated game with a 34-28 win that evened their record after a close season-opening loss to Brentsville.

Jefferson had edged Spring Mills, 21-19, in its only other game, and now sees Spring Valley tonight in its second home game of the just-started season.

It had taken three overtimes to decide a winner.

Jefferson High School wide receiver Keyshawn Robinson fends of a Sherando High School strong safety Jake Dann on Aug. 31. David Pennock

Sherando’s long-distance special team’s successes had equaled Jefferson’s individual contributions that had given it three scores during regulation play.

Jefferson’s 12 penalties cost it throughout.

Roper ran 12 times for 105 yards and Robinson had seven receptions for 62 yards. Rockwell contributed five catches for 92 yards and Harich went 17-of-29 through the air for 173 yards and two scores.

Sherando’s Carlson completed 24 of his 41 passes for 218 yards and one score.

Following its game against Spring Valley, Jefferson will next face unbeaten Martinsburg, winners the first two weeks against a Canadian opponent and Stone Bridge (Va.).