The News staff report

SABINE PASS — Something big is happening at Sabine Pass — a four-game winning streak.

This game took a little more digging deep by the Sharks to keep it going.

Jamyus Jones scored the go-ahead touchdown and picked off a West Hardin pass in overtime to seal Sabine Pass’ 20-14 non-district victory Friday night. SP has won four games for the first time since 1984.

The Sharks also learned something new about themselves with the win.

“We learned the mental part of the game,” coach Jason Thibodeaux said. “I don’t know if we talked about this before, but I knew our guys could play the physical part of the game. The mental part of the game, we never had a grasp of. In years past, someone gets a big run, we’d just shut down. If someone scores, we’d think the ballgame is over and they would just roll on us.”

Jones’ go-ahead score came on the first possession of overtime. A two-point conversion attempt was no good.

The Oilers threw an incomplete pass and the interception to Jones on their opportunity.

The Sharks (4-1) picked off a pass with 1:19 left in regulation and drove down to the Oilers’ 10, but a pass came up incomplete as time expired.

Sabine Pass had some big breaks in the second half. They recovered a West Hardin fumble and forced the Oilers to turn the ball over on downs. D’Coven Turner had a 23-yard run in the fourth quarter, but the Sharks would not capitalize.

Jordan Boatman’s TD reception in the third gave Sabine Pass a 14-8 lead, only for West Hardin to quickly strike back and tie it.

The Oilers took a quick 8-0 lead. Turner had a 65-yard carry and Glenndell Walker turned in a 42-yard punt return for the Sharks before Dominique Wilson put them on the board to start the second period. The conversion attempt failed.

“Tonight’s game really was a test of our mental capacity,” Thibodeaux said. “The very first play of the game, I think, was a 70 yarder. The next play, they scored. The next play, they got the onside kick, and for 2 minutes, we stared down the mental part of the ballgame, and we didn’t blink. We stayed in the ballgame on every play. That was such a rollercoaster ride for those kids, and they never gave up.

“And I knew right then and there, we captured the mental part of the game.”

Sabine Pass will enjoy a bye week before starting District 12-2A Division II play at Burkeville on Oct. 7.