WHITE OAK GETS A SCARE | …But Roughnecks get back in front late to beat Paul Pewitt
White Oak just almost became a cautionary tale, or at least a nominee for the worst loss of the season just two weeks in.
Or maybe it would’ve been better classified as the worst decision by officials of the season.
The Roughnecks ultimately beat Paul Pewitt, 30-26, on Friday night in White Oak’s home opener. But things were looking — well, disastrous — with about three minutes left.
That’s because after a play was finished with that time remaining, and White Oak in front, 23-18, the ball was placed on the ground, and no whistle was ever blown. A Paul Pewitt player picked up the ball — which was ruled to still be LIVE — and returned it all the way for a touchdown.
Officials allowed the play to stand (!), and it put the Brahmas in front, 26-23. Coach Michael Ludlow, the other coaches and pretty much anyone and everyone wearing White Oak colors came unglued.
But Ludlow gathered his team, managed to get everyone’s emotions at least back into check enough to execute a drive, and did it masterfully – quarterback Jaxsen Ludlow, who has accounted for 10 touchdowns in just two games – ran into the end zone to put the ‘Necks back in front, 30-26.
They kicked it back to the Brahmas, and then quickly got Paul Pewitt into a third-and-long situation. White Oak’s Cal Jester intercepted the ball and finished off the game.
Ludlow went 15-of-25 for 200 yards passing, and threw two touchdowns (to Jester and to Logan Ladwig), and also ran for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Jester had seven catches for 86 yards and the score, and Ladwig had four for 29 and the TD. Levi Sipes, who was nothing short of fantastic on defense, had two catches for 60 yards. Tyson McKinney had a catch for 18 yards and Tyson McClain had one for 7.
Sipes ran for 72 yards on 12 carries; Kenny Poul had 13 carries for 62 yards and McKinney had a 3-yard carry.
White Oak, who had 486 yards of total offense, only punted once – Ludlow had a 47-yarder.
We mentioned Sipes was fantastic on D – he had 10 tackles, three for loss, a forced fumble and three quarterback hurries. Cameron Venable had 11 tackles, one for loss and a fumble recovery.
Dakota Green had five tackles, three for loss, and Jose Garcia and Connor Hodges each had two hurries. Jester had five tackles and an interception, and McKinney had an interception, as well, and a tackle for loss.
The Roughnecks are 2-0 and go to Quitman next Friday, Sept. 12. Quitman is 1-1, having beaten Wolfe City, 48-45, in the season opener, and a loss this weekend at Rivercrest, 15-14. So the Bulldogs have played two games and the difference has been a grand total of four points.
