Jackets buzz past the Sandies, 39-26

BILL MECHLER JR.

ALTO - The atmosphere was electric at Yellowjacket Stadium Friday Night as fans came out to watch the Jackets sting the Grapeland Sandies in the Jacket's first divisional game of the season.

The Jackets gained 241 yards on the ground in 34 carries, with 145 yards coming from senior running back sensation, Marcuse "Peewee" Gasaway. Gasaway's (No. 1) rushing performance was highlighted by two touchdown runs; one of 52-yards.

"I was very pleased with our team's play," said Alto Head Coach Keith Gardner. "We battled and came up with a huge win against a very good Grapeland squad."

The first score came for Alto, when sophomore quarterback Javonte Jones (No. 4) threw a 31-yard touchdown strike to senior running back Demarcus Griffin (No. 7) with 7:13 left in the opening quarter.

The Sandies answered the Jackets first score with a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jared Murray (No. 9) to wide receiver Ta'coyus Walker (No. 10) in the first minutes of the second quarter. The Sandies' first scoring drive was set up by a costly Jacket interception from No. 10 Brandon Thacker who was picked off by Walker.

PHOTO: LEANN JONES l Alto linebacker Rhett Gresham prepares to hit Grapeland quarterback Jared Murray during Friday night's game against the Sandies. The Jackets outscored the Sandies in the third quarter to pull away, 39-26. Alto travels to take on the Price Carlisle Indians Friday at 7:30 p.m.

"I was very impressed by our team's red zone passing," said Grapeland Head Coach Curt Faigle. "I also thought our team ran the ball very well in the first half."

The Jackets broke the 6-6 tie with 10:09 remaining in the opening half when Griffin ran in a 45-yard touchdown scamper. After the failed conversion, the Jackets took the lead 12-6.

The Sandies took the lead back off an Alto special team's turnover. The Sandies recovered the ball on the Jacket 20 yard line after a Jacket lost control of the ball on a punt return.

With 7:33 left in the half, Sandies' quarterback Jared Murray threw a 20-yard touchdown strike to receiver Devan Mayfield (No. 34). The Sandies took the lead 13-12.

After the Sandies recovered a Jacket fumble, quarterback Murray lobbed an 18-yard touchdown pass to receiver Henry Faulk (No. 1) to take a 20-12 lead with 3:56 left in the first half.

The Jackets would answer with a little touchdown magic of their own. The Jackets recovered a Sandies' fumble on their 28. After a 20-yard gain by junior running back Jordan Shaw (No. 2), Thacker lobbed an 8-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Mark Green (No. 3) with no time left on the game clock. After a failed two point conversion, Grapeland took a 20-18 lead into the locker room.

"We needed to make several adjustments on the defensive side of the ball during the half," said Coach Gardner. "All three of Grapeland's touchdowns came off turnovers, so we needed to be more patient and more protective of the football."

The Sandies' offense racked up 105 yards rushing in the first half and 77 yards passing to go up against the Jackets 83 first half rushing yards and 63 passing yards.

The Jackets struck first in the second half courtesy of Gasaway on a 3-yard touchdown run with 3:21 left in the third, giving Alto a 24-20 lead.

"Peewee" would add a 52- yard touchdown run straight through the Sandies' defense with 1:17 showing on the game clock giving the Mean Sting a 31-20 lead going into the final quarter of play.

Grapeland refused to go quietly into the good night. With 9:00 left in the final period, Sandies' quarterback Murray connected again with Mayfield on a 25-yard touchdown pass.

Murray had 11 completions for 127 yards and 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He also ran the ball for 16 yards. Murray's impressive play had many fans wondering if they were watching a young version of that professional quarterback who plays in East Rutherford, New Jersey. What is his name again?

"We think very highly of Murray because he does an amazing job of managing the game and taking what the defense gives up," Coach Faigle said. "He stands tall in the pocket and can create plays without getting greedy and scrambling a lot. He is a great decision maker."

After trading punts and drives, the Jackets would ice the game with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Thacker to Shaw with 4:19 left in the game.

The Yellow Jackets would take a 39-26 victory into the locker room.

"The team showed incredible poise to come back in the second half against a very tough and talented Grapeland team," Coach Gardner said. "I was very pleased with our intensity and I hope the momentum from this win will carry over to next week's game."

Next Friday, Oct. 3, the Jackets will take on the Price Carlisle Indians in Price's Arrowhead Stadium. The Jackets will be faced with a great challenge to stop the Indians' double wing offense and control the clock. Fans in Jacket nation are very pleased with the victory over Grapeland and look forward to next week's battle against the Indians.