The No. 4 Jefferson Cougars secured a historic first-ever semifinal appearance by defeating the No. 5 George Washington Patriots, 28-21, in the Class AAAA quarterfinal round. This was Jefferson's second one-score victory over George Washington this season, following a 34-33 win in Week 7, and marks a major milestone after four consecutive seasons of quarterfinal elimination. Despite starting the season 0-4, the resilient Cougars have now won eight straight games, a turnaround head coach Craig Hunter emphasized by stating, "We finally got over the hump." After falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter, Jefferson tied the game early in the second with a crucial 21-yard touchdown pass on fourth down from Jackson Rockwell to the recently returned Tony Allen, Jr. Rockwell went on to score two rushing touchdowns to give the Cougars a 21-7 lead before halftime and through the third quarter. After George Washington pulled within a score, Rockwell sealed the win with his third rushing touchdown, capping a marathon 17-play, 99-yard drive in the final quarter. With running back Trevon Ledbetter lost to an early injury, Rockwell stepped up with multiple rushing scores, supported by strong play from substitute backs Andy Roberts and Leeland Benner. Jefferson (8-4) will next face the winner of the Morgantown/Spring Mills game in the semifinal round.