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Alto trounces Oakwood, 48-0
The "one" was junior running back Marcuse "Pee Wee" Gasaway, who dashed an astounding 17 yards per carry. Gasaway had 8 carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns. The "two" was senior quarterback Tarlandus Mitchell, who rushed five times for 51 yards and three touchdowns. Mitchell tossed another touchdown strike to junior wide receiver Mark Green with under two minutes left in the first quarter. Just call him Superman. Mitchell also picked off a Panther pass with 3:54 left in the first half on defense.
District 21-A coaches have one thing in common: a wish that their team didn't have to go through Alto to get into the playoffs. "There aren't too many opportunities that you get to match yourself up against the defending state champion," said Curt Faigle, head football coach for Grapeland. Alto will take on two-andfour Grapeland Friday in their second away district game in as many weeks. It will be Grapeland's homecoming. "I think the guys are looking forward to it," Coach Faigle said. "We are in for a tough game and we know it." After winning the opening toss Friday night, Alto kicked off to Oakland. On the first play from scrimmage, the Panthers coughed up the ball and senior Trevor Hagerty recovered it for the Yellowjackets. On Alto's first play of scrimmage from the Panther 17, Gasaway found the end zone. Derek Mumphrey added the PAT and Alto led 7-0. "I think the kids played well," said Alto head football Coach Keith Gardner. "Our first crew went out and took care of business and made a lot of big plays for us." Mitchell rushed for two scores in the first quarter. After Green's score, the first quarter ended with Alto up 28-0. "All of our kids played well on defense," Coach Gardner said. "I couldn't really say one stood out over the other. They all stood out - as a team." With 8:07 remaining in the second quarter, Mitchell capped a drive with an 11-yard touchdown run. Following the PAT, the Yellowjackets led 35- 0, just four minutes into the second quarter. Oakland junior quarterback Mike Savage was a standout for the Panthers all night, with most of his passes being on target. Unfortunately for Savage, he made the mistake of hitting receivers either in the hands or on the numbers. Several potentially devastating gains by Oakwood turned into fourth-and-long punting situations as a result of dropped passes. "That is exactly what we were just saying about it," said Coach Heckathorn, of the drops. Inspired by Alto fans doing the wave," Gasaway ripped gridiron for a 63-yard touchdown with 5:20 remaining in the second quarter. To add insult to injury, Gasaway kicked his own extra point, and the Jackets retired from the first half of play leading 42-0. "Everyone did a great job," Coach Gardner said. "They did a great job running, they did a great job hitting. They did a great job executing their assignments." Freshman quarterback Javonte Jones came in for the third along with a host of Jacket substitutions. The Panthers intensified their attack. The new surge would not help Oakwood score, even though the Jackets developed a case of the "dropsies," turning the ball over multiple times on fumbles. "We've got to get more consistency on the second crew," Coach Gardner said. "But we will get there with time. They are getting playing time and that will get us there." Jones rushed an impressive 37 yards on three carries. The game ended when junior running back Demarcus Griffin dashed 30 yards for a touchdown, with no time left on the clock. Griffin's TD capped the Jackets' scoring, with a final of 48-0. "All our kids played pretty well," Coach Gardner said. "It was a good job opening district play with a win."
"Alto played very well," Panther Coach Heckathorn echoed. "I look forward to them representing the district well this year." Jacket Notebook
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