Alto faces Groveton in Area Finals
Coach Gardner: Jackets are 'right where we want to be'
ROBIN BEST 
The Alto Yellowjackets are guilty of discrimination - no pessimists allowed.

Alto's one-two punch consists of Marcuse "Pee-Wee" Gasaway (above) and Tarlandus Mitchell (below). Gasaway plays running back for the Yellowjackets while Mitchell is the quarterback. The dynamic duo have combined for 2,012 yards this season and 17 touchdowns on 216 carries.

After winning 24 straight, the Jackets are heading into Friday's playoff game with the same winning attitude that got them there.

At the beginning of the season, Alto head football Coach Keith Gardner said his main concern is that his veteran players teach the up-and-comers how to win.

Looks like they figured it out.

Dominating doesn't effectively describe a team that outscored its opponents 744-58 last season.

"It was fun to watch it happen," said Alto Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Keith Gardener. "I enjoyed watching the players, the students, the fans and the community experience such an exciting year."

As the Jackets prepare to take on Groveton this week, they are on a course that mirrors last season not only in performance, but also in expectations.

"I think we are just about where we want to be," Coach Gardner said. "I think we are just about there."

Alto's confidence is tempered by Groveton's caution.

"We've got to play perfect ball to beat them," said Groveton Head Coach Keith Thomas.

In last Friday night's contest, Groveton handily defeated Hull- Daisetta 48-27. High-scoring games seem to be the norm in the world of 1A.

The Jackets are averaging 49.7 points per game. This season, Alto has scored 497 points while allowing 52. The Alto defense has posted seven shutouts in 10 games. And now the Jackets are just four games away from proving that history tends to repeat itself.

Friday night, there will be something different on the field.

From this point forward, it is survival of the fittest.

Any team whose best point is looking good in its uniform has been weeded out in five weeks of nondistrict play, five weeks of district play and one week of playoffs.

"We have a lot of experience," Coach Gardner said. "Our veterans are providing good leadership. That is the number one thing and the younger kids can model themselves after our veterans."

Groveton is no pushover. They have earned their way to this Friday's contest with some big, fast, athletic players.

"They have a tough team," said Yellowjacket offensive coordinator and lineman Coach Paul Gould. "Believe me, we are taking this game seriously."

But if Alto isn't taking Groveton lightly, you can imagine how Groveton is sizing up their opposition.

The Yellowjackets now own exclusive rights to the District 21-A championship.

And they are still listed as the No. 1, 1-A team in every poll in Texas.

"I'm really not trying to sound cocky," said Coach Gould, "but these kids are something special. This is our second team to go 10- and-0. No matter how good of a team you are, that is quite a feat. It isn't just physical. There is a lot of mental maturity that goes along with it.

"I am very proud of our kids and I am proud of how well they are playing," he added.

The Alto varsity squad has racked up some pretty impressive stats this year.

Fighting their way to the top of the heap are the one-two-punch combination of No. 1, junior running back phenom Marcuse "Pee Wee" Gasaway has combined with No. 2, senior quarterback and extraordinary athlete in any position he plays, Tarlandus Mitchell.

This season Alto has rushed for 3,414 while gaining 1,282 yards passing for a total of 4,696 yards. Mitchell has completed 52 of 89 passes for 1,267 yards, 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Top rusher is Gasaway with 1,225 and 20 touchdowns.

Alto has a punishing defense that has stopped 10 straight teams in the last 10 games.

So Groveton has a right to be shaking in their cleats this week.

They are going to have their hands full.