Alto Yellowjackets manhandle Cross Roads 59-0
Mean Sting cruises to District 21-A crown
ROBIN BEST
Cross Roads Punter Cody Quinn had the most unsatisfying field goal of his life Friday night at Bobcat Stadium.

Tarlandus Mitchell l rolls out to throw a pass during a recent Alto Yellowjackets' practice. Mitchell rushed for three touchdowns in the second quarter of Friday's game against Cross Roads. He also threw 5-6-1 for 168 yards and one touchdown. Alto (9-0, 4-0) concludes the regular season against Cushing Friday. The 'Jackets will then play the winner of the Groveton/Hulls-Daisetta game the week of Nov. 23. PHOTO: LELAND ACKER

Fleeing the wrath of a swarm of attacking Yellowjackets, Quinn dashed backwards, following the long snap that

had sailed over his head.

Fearing yet another Alto touchdown, Quinn decided to give the Jackets a safety and skillfully booted the football at a dead run through the Alto uprights and out through the end zone.

The safety gave the Yellowjackets the final two points of their 59-0 thrashing of Cross Roads.

"I am really proud of my players," said Cross Roads head football Coach Chance Johnson. "What can you say about Alto, they are a great team. Our guys had their hands full."

Coach Paul Gould, offensive coordinator for the Alto Yellowjackets, said he was pleased at how well the Jackets played on all fronts.

"I thought we played a pretty good football game on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively," Coach Gould said. "It was a very good game in every aspect."

Alto won the toss, but deferred to the second half.

But from the beginning of the contest, Cross Roads had problems.

After a three and out, Quinn bobbled the ball and ran out of time to punt. Covered in black jerseys, Quinn went down backed up to the 13 yard line, still clutching the ball.

On the Jacket's first down from scrimmage, Alto running back sensation Marcuse "Pee Wee" Gasaway dashed into the end zone. After the PAT, the Jackets led 7-0 with just over 2 minutes gone in the first quarter.

The defensive domination that began on the field curbed the 'Cats and kept them losing negative yards all night.

By the time the game was over, losses had cut 110 yards of gained offense back to just 5 yards of total offense for Cross Roads.

"Defensively, we are pretty stout," said Coach Gould. "That sure does make it easy to score. Usually the other team has just three plays and then they are kicking it back to us.

"The kids just love to play defense," he added. "They don't want anyone to score on them and they play hard to keep it that way."

Out of nine games, seven have been shutouts. Only with starting players temporarily out on injuries has anyone scored on Alto this year.

There isn't another high school football team in Texas of any size that can say that.

"The defense is playing unreal," Coach Gould said. "It is really great to have a defense like the one we have."

The Alto defensive line has been destroying offensive lines all year.

"We have players like Lance Low and Clayton Scott who are really something special," Coach Gould said. "They add to a defense that shuts down offenses."

The second Cross Roads looked like the first.

After three-and-out, Quinn punted a shank punt that gave Alto the ball at its 49 yard line.

Senior quarterback Tarlandus Mitchell put a pass on the money to junior wide receiver Kevin Blakemore for a 46-yard touchdown. The 2-PAT was no good and the Jackets lead was 13-zip.

Then with 3 minutes left in the opening quarter, Gasaway turned on the gas and ran away from the Bobcats - 25 yards for his second touchdown, giving the Jackets a 19-0 lead.

Then it was Mitchell's turn to shine.

Mitchell rushed for three touchdowns in the second quarter.

Lance Low put points on the board himself with a second quarter rush into the end zone.

At half time, the Yellowjackets held the lead 45-0.

"At the start of the year, we were concerned with our depth," Coach Gould said. "A lot of guys hadn't played. Now, there are a lot more players who have been able to get some experience. These guys are showing some maturity and are stepping up and making plays."

In the second half, freshman quarterback Javonte Jones and junior running back Kyle Denum both dashed 15 yards for separate touchdowns.

"We are nine games into the season and as a coach, that is what you really like to see," Coach Gould said. "The younger kids are stepping up and making plays."

The Yellowjackets had nine touchdowns scored by six players.

"Our depth is good and getting better," Coach Gould added.

Rushing has dominated Alto stats this season, with four times as many rushing plays as passing.

But when weighed in proportion, Alto has a deadly passing attack, with Mitchell completing 5 of 6 Friday night for 168 yards, one interception and one touchdown.

"We can pass as good as we can run," Coach Gould said.

But we have been getting a lot of points early in the games. So we don't want it to look like we are trying to run up the score, so after we get way ahead, we don't pass unless the situation calls for it."

Unsung hero congratulations go out this week to Derek Mumphrey on defense and freshman lineman Rhett Gresham on offense.

"Mumphrey is our noseguard and he had an exceptional game on Friday," Coach Gould said. "He tore up their offense in the middle of the field all night. The reason that Alto can make so many points, is because opponents have to double-team players like Mumphrey and he backs them up, giving other players a chance to score.

"Rhett Gresham had a great game also," Coach Gould said.

He started for the first time at left tackle. He is a freshman and he played a great game."

This week the Yellowjackets will be at home to celebrate Senior night. Alto will take on Cushing for their final District 21-A game for the year.