Yellowjackets swarm the Granger Lions
Alto faces Seymour for state title
ROBIN BEST

The Alto Yellowjackets take the field prior to their 35-9 win over the Granger Lions. Alto (13-0) will face Seymour (10-3) at 3 p.m. Saturday in Midlothian for the Class 1A Division I state championship. A win Saturday will mark the second consecutive state title and 28th consecutive win for the Yellowjackets.

HUNTSVILLE - With characteristic blazing speed and dominating defense, the Alto Yellowjackets ripped Granger 35-9 in last week's 1A Division 1 state semifinal matchup.

The win was number 27 in a row for the Jackets and sets the stage for a possible second straight championship against Seymour at 3 p.m. Saturday in Midlothian.

"I thought we played a great football game in all areas," said offensive coordinator and front line Coach Paul Gould. "We picked the right time to play a really good game. We have been playing good football all year, but I think we played especially well on Friday."

Alto won the toss, but as is their custom, let Granger have the ball first. The Jackets stopped the Lions in three downs and began their first possession on the Alto 9 yard line, following a Granger punt.

Tarlandus Mitchell (2) blocks for Marcuse Gasaway (1) on an option play Friday against Granger. Alto defeated Granger 35-9 and will face Seymour Saturday. Coach Keith Gardner said Saturday's game will be an exciting matchup between two evenly matched teams. PHOTOS: LEANN JONES

On the second play from scrimmage, senior quarterback Tarlandus Mitchell connected with junior wide receiver Brandon Thacker for an 88-yard touchdown pass. With 8:57 left in the first quarter, freshman kicker Colton Crisp nailed the point after and the Jackets led 7-0.

"I honestly think one of the reasons we were able to put points on the board, I mean, I was impressed with how we were able to run the ball, but I think right off the start, they knew we were going to run," Coach Gould said. "The second play of the game was an 88 yard touchdown play. That let them know right off the bat that they were going to have to watch for the pass and the run."

On their next possession, the Lions drove to the Alto 49. But the jackets stuffed a fourth-and-two, and the ball went over on downs. Alto took advantage of the drive and with 3:04 remaining in the first quarter, sophomore D'Marcus Tyler surprised both sets of fans with a 19 yard dash into the end zone. The PAT was no good and the Jackets led 13-0. The Yellowjackets set the stage from the very beginning with speed on defense that shut down Granger drives all night.

"Defensively, we were going to have to stop them," Coach Gould said. "Offensively, they were very good. We watched them some in person, and we watched them on film. They were very good; they would just drive and drive and drive on teams. We knew that we were going to have to stop them defensively. We did just that and I am really glad how our guys responded."

Both teams battled deep into the second quarter. Alto turned the ball over midway through the second and the Lions drove down to the Alto 19 yard line. Then Granger running back Bradley Simms, dodged Alto defensive backs and hit pay dirt with 4:17 left in the first half. After the PAT, the Lions trailed 13-9.

Coach Gould said he had heard that the Lions are a very physical football team, winning games by dominating their opponents.

"Their coach was very proud of how they were able to wear teams down," Coach Gould said. "I mean, they were really big. But almost every week, we play teams that are bigger than we are. I don't think that they were as fast as we were. Their game plan was to come out and wear us down, but I think we were able to wear them down a little bit."

Scores by Alto added in the second half included: a 1-yard touchdown and a 35- yard quarterback-keeper by Mitchell; and a three yard score by senior running back Devon Patton.

With a couple of exceptions, the Jackets were able to keep Granger out of the red zone.

"Our kids do not like to give up points," Coach Gould said. "They don't want anyone to score on them. When they start having that goal line on their heels, they turn it up another gear. They take offense when someone starts to score points on us. So our guys stepped up and they were able to stop them and keep them out of the end zone."

Coach Gould said the entire team played so well last week, that it was hard to name any one player as an unsung hero.

"I thought the team was the unsung hero this time," he said. "I think the team played really well.

"I would also say that the offensive line did very well," Coach Gould added. "We had over 400 yards offense and they were able to keep Tarlandus from getting sacked so they did very well."

Offensive line starters for the Jackets include: Rhett Gresham, LT; Josh Hudson, LG; Clint Dover, C; Clayton Scott, RG; Abraham Moreno, RT.

The final challenge for the Yellowjackets this year, will come in the form of the Seymour Panthers. The Panthers are 12-1, their only loss coming to Blanco, 38-22.

"They're a good football team," Coach Gould said. "They are a lot like us. They run the spread on offense. Their quarterback will throw it and will run it. They have some good receivers. They have a great defense. They are definitely the best team coming out of Region 1 and Region 2. They definitely deserve to be where they are."

"We are going to go in and do like we do every game. We are going to get better during practice. We are going to take this game serious; and tell the kids what is at stake. But we look for a great week of practice and we are ready for a state championship game," Coach Gould added.