Jackets finish 2-a-days, face San Augustine Friday
Alto defeats Elysian Fields and Westwood in scrimmage action, ties Corrigan-Camden.
The Alto Yellowjackets have returned to the field to practice for a new football season.

ROBIN D. BEST

Last year, the Jackets polished off a perfect 14- 0 season by wasting the McCamey Badgers 42- 13 in the Class A Division I state championship game at Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood.

Dominating doesn't effectively describe a team that outscored its opponents 744- 58 last season.

"It was fun to watch it happen," said Alto Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Keith Gardener. "I enjoyed watching the players, the students, the fans and the community experience such an exciting year."

Like an echo fading in the distance, so are the memories of the 2006 Jackets varsity football squad destroying each of 14 opponents.

Most of the polls have Alto again listed as number one in the state this year.

But Coach Gardner thinks it is not a good idea for this year's team to approach the season with their heads in the clouds.

"It's quite an honor to be tagged the No. 1 team in the state," he said. "But we want to end up as No. 1. It doesn't matter where you start the year at. Everyone starts off with the same record."

Alto running backs l Marcuse Gaseway (1) and Tarlandus Mitchell (2) will anchor the Jacket running game. They will be backed up by Devon Patton (8), Kyle Denum (5) and Demarcus Griffin (7). The Jackets are coming off of a 14-0 state championship season and are favored to win the crown again this year. PHOTOS: LELAND ACKER

Coach Gardner is pleased with what he has seen so far.

"Our kids are working real hard and we are looking forward to a good season.

The Associated Press has ranked Alto fourth, behind Windthorst, New Deal and Chilton, respectively.

The Jackets have completed three preseason scrimmages.

In the first contest on Aug. 18 at Elysian Fields, the Jackets used raw talent and depth to win.

"At first, we started off shaky," Coach Gardner said. "We did pull out winning 3-2 scores against Elysian Fields. We had some bright spots, but we had a lot to work on that first week."

Last week, the Jackets faced Palestine Westwood in an away scrimmage.

"We did pull out the win there 2-1," Coach Gardner said. "It was real good. The kids played very hard. We were able to win, which was good. The kids showed a lot of improvement over the first scrimmage."

An Alto wide k receiver catches a pass during recent two-a-day workouts. Lance Low is expected to start as the quarterback for the Jackets this season, with Tarlandus Mitchell backing him up. Alto opens the season at home against San Augustine Friday at 7:30 p.m.

On Aug. 23, the Jackets also scrimmaged against Corrigan-Camden.

"We had a lot of good things happen in that scrimmage," Gardner explained. "We were able to tie them between two groups. We've got a lot of young players, who are getting better each week. They are starting to know what they need to do."

Coach Gardner said that blocking and tackling are problems now being focused on at practice.

"The biggest problem is that we have to get into shape," he said. "You have to be in good shape to be able to compete on the field and we are starting to work ourselves into shape."

The recent surge in temperatures has been giving the Jackets an environment to get tough, with the season knocking on the door.

The Jackets will open the season 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 with a home game against San Augustine at Jacket Stadium.

The Jackets are working themselves in a frenzy, eager to show their competitors that the "Mean Sting" still means business.

"We have a lot of depth," Coach Gardner said. "We need for a lot of kids to get mature in a hurry.

Gardner likes what he sees in his veterans, but also in the new guard.

"We have a lot of experience," he said. "Our veterans are providing good leadership. That is the number one thing and the younger kids can model themselves after our veterans.

"Right now, our senior class is setting a good example and we need them to teach the younger kids good work habits," Gardner added.

"We need them to teach the younger players how to win."