Jefferson High School's Keyshawn Robinson makes a cut to get free on a punt return against the Rebels at Schools Stadium on Friday night. David Pennock

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — There was still plenty of optimism in the partially filled seats under the press box on the South Hagerstown High School’s side of Schools Stadium.

The homestanding Rebels, recently stung by a forfeit loss and needing a win to improve their seed in the upcoming Maryland state playoffs where every school can enter, trailed by only a few points as the third quarter closed.

But then Jefferson High School, reaching higher in the pecking order of West Virginia Class AAA schools grabbing for the playoff rungs themselves, scored 21 points in the final period to muffle any Rebel yells that would have come if South High had found the ways to win.

Jefferson’s 34-15 win came after it had carried only a 13-9 lead into the last quarter.

Jefferson touchdowns by Rodrigo Delgado (two rushing scores), Keyshawn Robinson (another score on the ground), Nolan Meehleib (who blocked a punt and then recovered it in the end zone) and Quinton Goins (who also recovered a fumble for points) gave the Cougars their six-pointers.

Caleb Shelton reaches up for a pass reception in Jefferson High School's trip to Hagerstown last Friday night. David Pennock

Most of South’s brightest moments came on Damon Breland’s TD reception and Nate Myers’ 20-yard field goal.

The Rebels were outscored in the fourth quarter, 21-6.

Jefferson improved its overall record to 4-2 and has what is probably its most difficult opponent on its remaining four-game schedule this week in Millbrook High School of Winchester, Va. The Pioneers are 5-1, having won their first four games before a close loss to Kettle Run High School of Warrenton (Va.).

South Hagerstown is 2-4, including the taste of its forfeit loss to Century (Md.), when it used an ineligible player.

The late-game splash of Jefferson points came at one of the few all-grass fields it plays on and was started at 6 p.m. — a time found nowhere else on its 10-game schedule.

South Hagerstown High School wide receiver Cahauri Alford is tracked down by Jefferson High School's Tay'Shaun Roper, during Friday night's game at Schools Stadium. David Pennock

After its trip to Millbrook, the Cougars face three teams with losing records in Musselman High School, Clarksburg (Md.) High School and county opponent Washington High School to close out its bid for a third-straight big school playoff berth.