Alto ranked #1 despite losing several key players

Rusk wide receiver J.J. Session makes a leaping catch during the Eagles' 63-56 win over the Madisonville Mustangs in the bi-district championship last season. Coach Wayne Mahaffey describes Session, along with Bobby McDuff, as the most dangerous receivers his program has ever had. PHOTO: WOLF WHITAKER

Last season, the Alto Yellowjackets won the Class A Division I state title. This year, despite losing 12 lettermen to graduation, Dave Campbell's Texas

Football has ranked Alto #1 in

the state in Class A.

Head Coach Keith Gardner said the eu-

phoria of winning the state championship has worn off.

"It's time to get back to work," he said. "We'll have kids lined up and ready. We'll be using scrimmages and preseason games to find guys who'll work hard and learn."

Alto's road to glory this season may not be as smooth as last year. The Jackets have lost quarterback/free safety Julian Willis (TJC), Tyson Mitchell (Trinity Valley), Tarcellus Mitchell (Trinity Valley) and Jeremy Lofton (Trinity Valley) to graduation. These losses mean Coach Gardner has to re-staff his backfield, wide receiver corps and rely on a new quarterback.

Coach Gardner said Lance Low is a good quarterback and indicated he will likely lead the Mean Sting's offense this year. He will hand off to Tarlandus Mitchell, Marcuse Gaseway, Devon Patton and Demarcus Griffin. All four lined up as running backs last season with much success, Coach Gardner said.

Brian Thacker will replace Tyson Mitchell at wide receiver, with Michael Parker and Trevor Haggerty set to round out the rest of the receiver order.

Clayton Scott was Texas- Football.com's All-Texas team Defensive Player of the Year last season. Texas Football said the 6-1 210-pound Scott is reminiscent of another renowned Alto linebacker, Brian Gamble.

"Gamble was an excellent football player who worked hard," Coach Gardner said. "I see a lot of those same things in Scott. I have to agree."

Scott will anchor the defense, which has eight returning starters.

In coaching state championship teams, this is not Coach Gardner's first rodeo. He was an assistant coach on Corrigan- Camden's state championship team. He said the return to two-a-days after a state championship is usually an exciting time for a football team.

"They're eager to get back to work and win another one," Coach Gardner said. The Jackets will open the season at home against San Augustine on Aug. 31