You can't win them all, or can you?
ROBIN BEST
For the first time in a period spanning multiple seasons, the Alto Yellowjackets didn't win Friday night. Okay, so it was a bye week. The team and coaching staff took a well-deserved break. And the ever-expanding circle of Alto football fans had a chance to take a peek at what other area teams have been up to.

For folks who enjoy the action and pathos of high school football, the students who play for the Alto Independent School District have been sending their community to new heights.

As someone who has been sitting in the stands every week, I must say it has been a ride that exceeds any amusement park.

My dad, Lee Ray Best, whom most of you know as "Bro. Best," has been helping me learn to collect stats. We sit in the stands together and painstakingly attempt to jot down every yard, tackle, pass and fumble. I am new at this, but I am getting better.

We sit in the stands, because my mom, Ethel Best, loves to come along and keep up with all the excitement and to enjoy the show put on by the Alto High School Band and other students from visiting towns during halftime.

Alto's speed can make Mean Sting games seem like a blur to the opposition. Alto has amassed 213 points against their opponents this season giving up only 30. The Yellowjackets travel to Huntington on Oct. 5 before traveling to Oakwood to open district play on Oct. 12. Alto is 4-0 on the season. PHOTO: LEANN JONES

She doesn't get around as well as she once did, so dad and I stay close, rather than sit in the press box.

The fun part is, when people see us writing down stats, we get asked questions like:

"Who are you scouting for?"

I always want to say something like: "We are scouting for the McDonalds All-American High School Football team. Hey kid, can you say 'Would you like a hot apple pie with that?!'"

Alto Head Football Coach Keith Gardner, and his staff, have put together not only a terrific football program, but one that emphasizes education first.

That means when your son or daughter is involved in athletics in Alto, you're not going to have any athletes landing on a college doorstep with anything less than a quality education.

And in the last school year, they also accomplished: a Division 1A state football championship; baseball, area finalist; track, area champions; girls track, 4x1 state qualifier; softball - regional finalist; and tennis, mixed doubles, state finalist. Not bad.

And that is exactly what high school athletics is supposed to be all about. Athletes who can win and still make good grades.

Now, back to my original premise.

Can Alto win them all… Again?

Last year, the Jackets smashed their way through 14 football teams on the way to a Division 1A State Football Championship.

So far this year, Alto has pummeled four teams: San Augustine, Timpson, Burkev- and Hemphill. This week, they will take on the 3A Huntington Red Devils in an away game.

Hemphill, the latest victim on the list, was a tough 2A playoff team, with high expectations.

So far, Hemphill was the only team able to penetrate Alto's imposing defense.

Part of the reason Alto's defense was a bit more leaky last week was a temporary inconvenience in the form of an injury to the bruising backfield attack of senior Yellowjacket defensive lineman Clayton Scott.

Scott's devastating presence on the field make opponents' quarterbacks quake with fear. And fans hear the unmistakable throbbing of "Jaws" music accompanying a pair of 5's on a yellow and black jersey ripping through a visiting offensive line.

But of course, the grand thing about Alto is that there is so much depth on the team, Alto is still going to beat you even if one individual, or more, have to sit out.

The Jacket defense also bristles with other players like Derek Mumphrey, Derek Crisp and Josh Hudson, just to name a few.

Man-handling an offensive line is hard work.

Just ask Abraham Moreno; or Keith Williams; or Clint Dover. It is rough work that the starters get going and the bench backs them up.

Up-and-coming defensive linemen include Rowdy Wilson; Trenton Ball and Rhett Gresham. Finish it off with sophomore Makio Houston and you have the iron curtain that keeps would-be visiting running backs from running wild on every field claimed by Alto, including the one at home.

And all of these guys are playing both directions, so they give senior quarterback Tarlandus Mitchell time to throw, or room to hand off to junior, legs-on-fire running back Marcuse "Pee Wee" Gasaway.

And we have already seen that combination lead the way to 213 points in just the first four games.

Helping to put points on the board this season also include receivers junior, Mark Green; senior Lance Low; junior running back Kyle Denham; the you-zig-while-I-zag talents of running backs Demarcus Griffin and the "if I don't embarrass you on offense I'm going to get you on defense" offensive and defensive back Devon Patton.

If you haven't seen your favorite player's name in this column, don't worry, you will.

These guys are bleeding other teams for points like there's a fire sale and scoring is going out of business.

Can they win them all again this year?

I for one, am betting they will.