Helbig throws for three scores, No. 3 UHS rolls past Jefferson
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SHENANDOAH JUNCTION -- With the Jefferson Cougars coming off their first win of the season against Hedgesville, there was some momentum heading into Friday’s game against undefeated University High.
That, however, didn’t pan out for Jefferson, as the No. 3-ranked Hawks left with their seventh straight win, 49-7.
"I feel like defensively, we took a step backwards tonight," said Jefferson's head coach Craig Hunter. "Granted, we had injuries and missing players, but sometimes it happens, and it is what it is. We just have to keep pushing forward."
It didn’t take long for the Hawks (7-0) to put points on the board. Following a kickoff return to the Cougars’ 40-yard line and a penalty, Harrison Helbig connected with Evan Toler for a 34-yard score.
Harrison Garrett looked like he’d put the Cougars on the board just as fast following a successful fourth-down conversion, but a sack by Luke Padula and a follow-up incompletion ended their first drive.
University continued to roll, as Helbig found Hayden George for a 43-yard bomb, putting the Hawks in position for Helbig to trot into the end zone and push the lead to 14-0.
Not long after, Brody Kehler picked up the short touchdown from a yard out, followed by another one-yard touchdown by Jaedyn Katcher.
University's defense was able to force a three-and-out and, shortly after, Helbig connected with George for a 35-yard touchdown to extend the Hawks’ lead to 35-0.
After the break, Kehler picked up a long 55-yard touchdown on the Hawks’ second play of the third quarter. Jefferson responded with their first and only score of the game as Austin Bugbee punched in from one yard out to save the shutout.
Helbig and George connected once more on the following possession to close out the Hawks’ scoring on a 73-yard touchdown.
"It was kind of tough to contain Jefferson," said University's head coach Eric Snyder. "They had speed tonight, had a magnificent game plan to challenge our defense, and we have got to clean up some things on defense with our run fits."
Harrison Helbig was 11-of-16 passing for 243 yards and three touchdowns in the win, adding 21 yards and a score on two carries. Hayden George accounted for 161 yards and two touchdowns on four receptions.
Evan Toler had three catches for 64 yards and one touchdown.
Brody Kehler led the Hawks in rushing six times for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Jaedyn Katcher added 72 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
Harrison Garrett ended the night throwing 9-of-20 for 131 yards. Keith Hessler led the Cougars in receiving with two receptions for 85 yards.
Garrett also led the Cougars in rushing yards with eight carries for 52 yards. Austin Bugbee had seven carries for 34 yards and a touchdown.
Up next, Jefferson heads to Wheeling Island Stadium to face Wheeling Park at 7 p.m., while UHS returns to the Eastern Panhandle to face Spring Mills. The Cardinals are coming off a bye, and Snyder expects a challenge from head coach Marcus Law.
"Coach Law is going to have himself a nice gameplan," said coach Syder. "They are always athletic, and there is a huge population pool here in the Eastern Panhandle to be able to have nice athletes no matter what school you are going to compete against."