Garrison Bulldogs chomp Alto 35-21: Four Yellowjacket turnovers give Garrison the edge, following rainy conditions

Alto’s typically vicious attack was watered down Friday night as the Yellowjackets were overwhelmed by Garrison 35-21.

A wet field, following heavy showers and light rain throughout the game, diluted the Jackets attack in a game marred by fumbles and turnovers.

“I still feel like we did some good things,” said Alto High School head football Coach Ricky Meeks following the game. “A few things from elements, a few things from busted assignments. Quite frankly, they were a very good football team. We knew that coming in.

“We knew there was going to be a size advantage we hadn’t seen yet,” Coach Meeks continued. “And we weren’t sure how we were going to fare against that. We definitely have some work to do in that department.”

Early on, things looked very promising for the Jackets.

On the second play of the game, sophomore running back Vi’Dareous High (No. 2), took the handoff from junior quarterback Harmon West (No. 10) and scampered 72 yards for the opening score of the game.

The same combo presented Alto with a successful two-point-conversion, and with just :21 seconds gone in the game, Alto was up 8-nothing.

High led the Yellowjackets with 197 yards rushing on 21 carries and one touchdown. But the wet field appeared to give him fits as High lost the handle four times yielding four turnovers.

The Bulldogs responded with 301 yards on 53 carries.

Garrison head football Coach Larry Prince said they were pleased to come out ahead facing a formidable Alto team.

“We’ve got two big wins in a row,” Coach Prince said. “This has got to be good for the confidence of the guys. This is what you have to do. I told the guys before the game, the team that turned the ball over the fewest times would win the game.

“Tonight it was all about how well you play the game and how well you protect the football. I think we wound up on the positive side of the fumbles battle.

“They’re a great football team, though,” Coach Prince added. “I don’t want to take anything away from them. Coach Meeks did a great job and they are a great football team. They’re athletic and they play their rear ends off.”

Sophomore Garrison running back Sabastion Porter (No. 22) racked up 217 yards for the ‘Dawgs during the game, including an eight-yard TD opening scoring for the Bulldogs with 8:54 remaining in the second quarter. The extra point was good, and Alto maintained a slim lead of 8-7.

After Alto went three-and-out on the next drive, junior Jekadtic Watts (No. 3), who has a twin, double-threat brother Jakedric Watts (No. 2), zipped 71 yards for a score.

With 5:47 remaining in the first half, Garrison took the lead, 14-8.

But just 14 seconds later, after recovering an onside kick, Watts struck again with a 43-yard touchdown, putting the Bulldogs up 21-8, with 5:33 remaining in the first half.

With less than a minute remaining in the first half, the Jackets were able to drive down inside the 10 yard line. On first-and-goal from the 1-yard line, QB Harmon West (No. 10) called his own number with the quarter-back-sneak and scored, narrowing the Garrison lead 21-14 at half time.

Early in the third, West tossed a touchdown 48 yards to sophomore receiver Jay Pope, (No. 22) for Alto. Junior kicker Dylan Mabry (No. 51) added the PAT. With 10:02 remaining in the third, Alto tied the score 21-21.

The Jacket-joy was short-lived, as while Alto was finished scoring for the night, Porter and Garrison would add two more TDs in the second half to win the game, 35-21.

Friday night is Homecoming in Alto and activities will begin early at Cam’Ron Matthews Field. Alto will host the Corrigan-Camden Bulldogs. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m.