Alto spoils another Homecoming
Jackets beat Grapeland 27-10

ROBIN BEST

GRAPELAND - Grapeland Sandy senior running back Chris Pierson caught the game's opening kickoff and ripped the length of the field for a touchdown.

It was the highlight of the game for the Grapeland homecoming crowd.

Things went downhill from that point for the Sandies, in an Alto-dominated 27-10 win for the Yellowjackets.

"We gave up the opening kickoff, but our kids were able to recover and play some good football and we were able to get the win," said Alto Head Coach Keith Gardner.

Two minutes into the game, the Jackets stung back when Alto senior quarterback Tarlandus Mitchell called his own number and buzzed 61 yards for a game-tying score. Dere Mumphrey converted the PAT and the score stood at 7-7.

"I have to say I was pleased with our kids effort," said Grapeland Headl Coach Curt Faigle. "We did have a couple of mistakes later in the game that we were never able to recover from.

Without those mistakes, we would have been looking at a completely different ball game."

Alto forced a punt on the next Sandy series and began a drive.

Rowdy Wilson contains a Grapeland linebacker during Alto's 27-10 victory over the Sandies. The win marks the 21st consecutive win by the Yellowjackets. Alto will host Cayuga at 7:30 p.m. Friday. PHOTO: LEANN JONES

But Alto coughed up the ball on its own 33 leading to a Grapeland field goal and a 10-3 lead by the Sandies with four minutes to go in the opening quarter.

"Grapeland was definitely ready to play football," Coach Gardner said. "There is a big rivalry between Alto and Grapeland, it was a great game and Grapeland kept coming for four quarters."

The Sandy defense played tough throughout the game, holding the Jacket's explosive offense to just 27 points, the lowest scoring game for Alto this year.

"Alto deserves their ranking," Coach Faigle said of Alto following the game. "I was very pleased with the intensity our kids played with during this game, but Alto was every bit as good as we expected them to be."

"They played us tough," Coach Gardner said. "They did give us a couple of things to think about."

With time expiring in the first quarter, junior running sensation Marcuse "Pee Wee" Gasaway zipped 22 yards to bring the score to 14-10.

In the second quarter, both teams exchanged drives and insults but no points were added as time ran out on the first half.

By halftime, Grapeland was done scoring for the night, but the Jackets were just warming up.

The only joy left for the Sandies was to celebrate senior cheerleader Captain Meredith Dotson being named homecoming queen.

By the time Miss Dotson picked up her pompoms for the second half, the Sandies offense had gone cold.

With 4:40 left in the third, Mitchell connected with junior Jacket wide receiver Kevin Blakemore who scored from 23 yards. A botched PAT and Alto was on top 20-7.

On its next possession, still in the third, the Yellowjackets took a Sandy punt and went to work from the Alto 33.

Following a 25 yard gain by Gasaway and a 16 yard dash on a keeper by Mitchell, Demarcus Griffin showed off some fancy footwork, tapdancing in from 18 yards out.

The PAT was good and the Jackets led 27-10, a score that would hold until the scoreboard was turned off at the end of the night.

Coach Gardner had high praise for his standout team, as well as giving high marks for some individual effort.

"On offense, Trevor Hagerty had three great catches for us," Coach Gardner said. "He also did a great job blocking."

On defense, Gardner recognized an outstanding contribution by junior defensive back Jared Moore.

"He played with a lot of intensity and excitement," Coach Gardner said. "Jared did a great job on defense. He had several tackles and three quarterback hurries, one which led to an interception."

The Yellowjackets now stand at 7-0 for the season and 2-0 in district play.

Undefeated for the second year in a row, the No. 1 ranked, state champion Yellowjackets have a winning streak of 21 games.

"We're glad to be sitting at 2 and 0 right now," Coach Gardner said. "We are in a good place."

This Friday, Alto will host Cayuga at home.

"They're a good football team," Coach Gardner said. "They are sitting at 6-1. They have some good athletes on both sides of the ball.

"Their quarterback has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and their running back has run for more than 2,000 yards," Gardner added. "They are a good team and we are getting ready for them."