‘NECKS GET A WIN | Sabine, White Oak play a good one to close the 2026 season

LIBERTY CITY – It took until the final game of the season, but White Oak did end its losing streak here at James Bamberg Stadium Friday night, and picked up the first win as head coach of the Roughnecks’ football program for Tanner Thiel.

The final game of the season matched the Roughnecks at the Sabine Cardinals. Sabine welcomed the return of coach Tim Russell, who had taken a leave of absence earlier this season after earning his own first win there. But the Roughnecks came away with a 36-22 win.

White Oak finished the season with a 1-9 record; the Cardinals ended 2026 with a 2-8 mark.

Sabine won the opening coin toss and deferred to the second half. That might not have been the best decision.

A deep kick was fielded by Branton Wood, who evaded all tackles en route to a 95-yard kickoff return for a score. Phoenix Turner added the extra point to give White Oak an early 7-0 lead. 

The Cardinal offense took over with a huge dose of the running  game. Damin Richardson and Angel Gaona moved the ball into the red zone. 

Then quarterback Griffin DeHoyos went to the air, but his pass was picked off by Trent Jackson in the end zone.

For the first time on the field, the Cardinal defense stopped the ‘Necks, forcing a punt.  

Following a Cardinal punt, the ‘Necks used two plays to find the end zone.  On the second, quarterback T.J. Jackson broke free for a 72-yard scamper. Add in the extra point by Turner and White Oak was up 14-0 to end the first quarter.  

Princeton Jones opened the second quarter with a 23-yard run for Sabine. This was followed by a 25-yard pass to Syler Pierce.

 Jones then notched a 25-yard run, and Gaona finishing off the drive with the final yard for the score, Sabine’s first of the game. That cut the White Oak lead to 14-7.

White Oak’s Jackson found Cal Jester for a 20-yard completion, and then a 9-yard run by Cameron Vail put the ‘Necks in scoring position. But a high snap over Jackson’s head left the ball on the field where Sabine’s Aden Swanson scooped it up and rumbled 70 yards for the touchdown.

Following a penalty, though, the extra point try by Gaona was wide right, and Sabine trailed by a point (14-13).

On the next White Oak drive, Sabine’s defense stiffened, and forced the ‘Necks to a turnover on downs. Keeping to the ground, the Cardinals carved out yards but on a fourth down, DeHoyos broke from the pattern and aired the ball out to Braiden Sanchez for the completion and score.  Following a fake extra point attempt, the Cardinals were finally in the lead by the score of 19-14.

It was short-liived as the Necks took a short kickoff and marched down field.  Jester caught a 23-yard completion to set up the final play of the drive, a short 4-yard pass to Tysen McClain for the score.

Following the extra point the ‘Necks regained the lead at 21-19, with 34 seconds left in the half.  The Cardinals moved down the field quickly, with Hoyos completing passes to Jaxon Willaims and Pierce to set up a field goal try. Gaono’s 32-yard attempt went wide left as time expired, leaving the ‘Necks with that same two-point advantage at halftime..

The Cardinals received the second half kickoff.  A quarterback keeper by DeHoyos for 20 yards set them up nicely.

DeHoyos then found Sanchez for 18 yards and Richardson ran for 14. The drive was stopped, but the Cardinal attempted the field goal. This time, Gaono’s 22-yard attempt was good and again the Cardinals were in the lead (22 -21).

As the quarter was coming to a close with White Oak driving, Cameron Vail was hit hard and fumbled the ball. Pierce picked up the fumble for the Cardinals, who extended the drive into the fourth quarter.

Facing their second fourth down in the drive, the Roughneck defense was able to stop the Cardinal drive on downs.

Still trailing by one, Jackson found Jester open for a 31-yard completion. They capped of the drive with a completion to McClain for his second touchdown of the night. Following Jester’s 2-point reception, White Oak was back in front, 29 – 22.

Their defense then stepped up, forcing the Cardinals to turn it over on downs. And on the second play from scrimmage, Jackson again found an open Jester. This time, though, the pass went for 45 yards and the score.

Turner added the final point, and White Oak had a 36-22 advantage.

The Cardinals still had some time, but an interception by Jackson all but ended the game.  Jackson went for the touchdown, but Sanchez wrestled the ball out of the receivers’ hands in the end zone and returned it 42 yards.

After a couple penalties, DeHoyos found Sanchez open for a 32-yard completion, but that was all they were able to do as time ran out on Sabine – and the season.

The Cardinals were led by DeHoyos, who had 152 yards through the air and a touchdown.  Sanchez was the recipient of 101 of those yards and the score.

Jones had 87 yards rushing and Richardson added 50.

Sabine’s defense recorded two fumble recoveries and an interception.

The Roughnecks were led by Jackson, with 198 yards passing and three touchdowns. Jester had a spectacular night: he hauled in 155 yards and a score. McClain added 43 and the two receiving touchdowns.

Jackson led the team in rushing with 126 and a score and Vail added 78.