Jefferson on verge of home game to begin football playoffs

Middle linebacker Nolan Meehleib makes a sure tackle on Justin Stevens in the third quarter of Jefferson High School's victory over the Clarksburg High School on Friday. David Pennock
SHENANDOAH JUNCTION — Regular season football games are all but over for Jefferson High School. Only a game at Washington High School tonight remains.
But the two-loss Cougars have another postseason to deal with, because they are currently rated fifth in the Class AAA ranks, before the next announcement comes from the Parkersburg-based WVSSAC on Tuesday.
Jefferson literally cruised past Clarksburg (Md.) last Friday, 54-0, in the final home game of the regular season.
The Cougars held the No. 5 spot in the state ratings, before easily stopping the visiting Coyotes.
Should Washington (now 3-6) fall to the Cougars, a homefield playoff game would come to Shenandoah Junction on either Nov. 10 or 11 of next week.

Jefferson High School Quarter Back Jackson Rockwell outraces Jamal Lewis for a touchdown pass on Friday night. David Pennock
The top eight teams after the final regular season games are completed all receive first-round home games to begin the 16-team playoffs.
The 7-2 Cougars routed Clarksburg, in winning the final home game of the regular season.
A break-many-tackles punt return of 63 yards by Keyshawn Robinson opened the Jefferson points parade and was followed throughout the rest of the weather-pleasant night by more and more scores.
It was Robinson again romping through the Coyote secondary after taking a short throw from Dylan Harich. Robinson shredded the arm tackles of at least five Clarksburg players in completing a 65-yard pass/run TD.
A short slant pass of five yards brought another Jefferson score. Rodrigo Delgado had a one-yard run for more points.

Cougar Running Back Tay'Shaun Roper breaks a tackle at Clarksburg High School on the way to a touchdown on Friday night. David Pennock
Before it trounced the Coyotes, Jefferson was the highest rated team in the Class AAA ranks that had as many as two losses. It was settled in right behind fourth-rated and undefeated Martinsburg.
The shutout win was Jefferson’s second blanking of any opponent this season. The Cougars previously posted a 28-0 win over Hedgesville.
Should Jefferson remain at No. 5 following tonight’s game at Washington it would host a first-round playoff game against the No. 12 team.
Rated ahead of Jefferson going into tonight’s game are Cabell Midland, Huntington, Hurricane and Martinsburg. Only Martinsburg comes into the final week of the regular season with an unbeaten record and the Bulldogs have already completed their schedule with a 9-0 record.
- Jefferson High School Quarter Back Jackson Rockwell outraces Jamal Lewis for a touchdown pass on Friday night. David Pennock
- Cougar Running Back Tay’Shaun Roper breaks a tackle at Clarksburg High School on the way to a touchdown on Friday night. David Pennock
- Middle linebacker Nolan Meehleib makes a sure tackle on Justin Stevens in the third quarter of Jefferson High School’s victory over the Clarksburg High School on Friday. David Pennock