Alto rides the Burkeville Mustangs 74-0
Mean Sting celebrates Homecoming
ROBIN BEST
A dozen quarters into the season and Alto's defense is still impenetrable.

Starting quarterback Tarlandus Mitchell (#2) drops back for a pass Friday night as the offensive line blocks to give him extra time. Mitchell played two quarters and accumulated 74 yards on four carries with two touchdowns. Final score was 74-0 against Burkeville. PHOTO: TARA CROSBY

After three games, Alto has outscored its opponents following Friday night's homecoming dismantling of the Burkeville Mustangs, 74-0.

And even more foreboding than a defense that doesn't give, is an offense that doesn't stop.

Alto surged quickly Friday, accepting the opening kickoff and driving the length of the field before the referee could wind his watch.

The Jackets scored six times in the first quarter, opening with a four-yard touchdown dash by senior quarterback Tarlandus Mitchell and followed by two scores when Mitchell hooked up with junior wide receiver Brandon Thacker on strikes of 38 and 56 yards.

By the time the Mustangs had put ice in their Gatorade, the Yellowjackets were up 20-0.

ROBIN BEST

"It is always important in a ball game to get off to a fast start," said Alto Head Football Coach Keith Gardner. "The kids remained focused even though it was homecoming and came out and played some good football."

The Jackets added three more quick scores including the help of junior running back Marcus Gasaway and by the time the first quarter ended Alto had corralled the Mustangs 40-0.

"You know, Alto is a team with a lot of class," said Burkeville Head Football Coach Curtis Hamilton following the game. "Their class stands out more than their talent and they've got a lot of talent. Their execution was great."

Curtis offered high praise to the team that was leading his 54-0 at halftime.

"They could have made it a lot worse on us than they did," he said. "You might not believe it, but they really held back on us. They could have made it worse, but they didn't and that is why I say they have a lot of class. They are well coached and you can tell."

The second half passed quickly, because the only time the clock stopped was to change quarters and to end the game.

Alto's second line took over in the third quarter, quickly proving themselves just as formidable, when secondstring quarterback Javonte Jones dashed into the end zone just 20 seconds into the second half.

With the PAT added by kicker Derek Mumphrey, the Jackets lead 61-0.

Coach Gardner spoke well of Mustang Coach Hamilton.

"He showed some class on his part too," Coach Gardner said. "His kids came out and they played hard. They are doing some good things and that is going to benefit them down the road."

Burkeville was held to 40 yards of total offense for the entire game, including 14 yards rushing and 26 yards passing.

Junior running back Kyle Denum added a touchdow also in the third, with a 22-yard touchdown dash. A minute and a half later, the PAT failed and the Yellowjackets led 68-0.

"You know, we don't focus on making points," Coach Gardner said. "We are focusing on winning games. That is all. We have outscored our opponents 170-0 in three games, but the points are not our goal. Winning the games - that is all that matters to us right now - not how many points we score."

With 5:36 remaining in the fourth quarter, Demarcus Griffin, zipped 16 yards for a touchdown and the Jackets led with the final score, 74-0.

The Jacket defense stood strong during the game.

"Our defense has been playing well every week and they are getting better every week," Coach Gardner said.

For the second week in a row, Mitchell intercepted a pass on defense and took it all the way for a touchdown.

"He's had a couple of good weeks in a row," Coach Gardner said of Mitchell. "He is growing as a player and a leader. He plays well on both sides of the ball."

Coach Gardner was also impressed with lineman Derek Crisp.

"Derek scooped up a fumble, ran 25 yards and scored," Coach Gardner said. "He got a lot of playing time in the second half. He did a good job taking care of his responsibilities."

Gardner added that he has been pleased by the entire team on both sides of the ball, noting that the players have evolved from a group of individual players into a good football team.

"I am very pleased with what I am seeing," he said of the team.

Next week, Alto will host the Hemphill Hornets.

"They are two and one," said Coach Gardner. "They could easily be three and 0. They have some big guys that play hard and it is going to be a battle."

Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Alto.