Brains and Brawn...
...Pave road to Glory and Promised Land!
BY LELAND ACKER

Alto Head Coach Keith Gardner poses with quarterback Lance Low (4) and linebacker Clayton Scott (55). Scott is currently ranked at the top of his class while Low is ranked second. Coach Gardner says Low's and Scott's intelligence allows him to use them "as coaches on the field."

The 2007 Alto Yellowjacket football team has great expectations. Not only is the team loaded with good athletes and ranked first in the state of Texas, but the team's leaders also lead in the classroom.

Linebacker Clayton Scott is on pace to become the valedictorian for the Class of 2008, while quarterback Lance Low is on pace to be salutatorian.

"(Scott) has God given talent and football ability," said Alto Head Coach Keith Gardner. "He also has intelligence in the classroom."

Scott's multi-dimensional abilities came to light after Alto won the 2006 Class A Div. I state title.

He was named Defensive Player of the Year by Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine and was nominated to participate in the High School Aerospace program with NASA.

Alto Head Coach Keith Gardner says senior leadership is helping the success of 2006 carry over into this season. Senior Alto Yellowjackets are (front row from left): Clayton Scott, Devon Patton, Clint Dover, Tarlandus Mitchell and Michael Parker. Back row are Keith Williams, Josh Hudson, Derek Mumphrey, Lance Low and Jacob Wade.

That level of intelligence and work ethic propels students to be honor graduates, but sports fans want to know how that will help on the football field.

"These are level-headed kids," coach Gardner explained. "They are very intelligent. They are able to make quick adjustments and play offense and defense."

Coach Gardner added another benefit to having the top two ranked students on the team.

"We are able to use them as coaches on the field," he said. "No matter what the job is, they'll get it done, and they'll get it done the right way. They are great examples of student athletes."

Another team leader mentioned by coach Gardner is Tarlandus Mitchell.

"He's a gifted athlete," coach Gardner said. "He's a team leader. He's evolved into a pretty good leader for us."

The Alto l junior varsity team awaits their moment in the sun. The JV opens their season at 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 30, in San Augustine.

Mitchell's strength is his example on the field.

"A lot of the kids look up to him," coach Gardner said.

The Yellowjackets have their work cut out for them. Having gone 14-0 last season and being ranked first in the state, the expectation is state championship.

Coach Gardner said the high expectations do not affect the approach the Jackets take to football.

"We haven't changed our approach any," he said. "Number one, we work hard every day. Number two, we get better every day.

"It's very flattering to be ranked number one, but we're not concerned with being ranked number one at the beginning of the season. We're concerned with being ranked number one at the end of the season. We try to relay that to the kids on a daily basis."

Coach Gardner said last year's success is carrying over into this season.

"All the returning lettermen got the experience of an undefeated season," he said. "It carries over into this season. They want to go to the promised land again."

The preseason hype does not add pressure to the team either.

"The community does not put more pressure on us than we do ourselves," he said.

Alto's road to glory begins at home against the San Augustine Wolves at 7:30 p.m. Friday.