Alto completes non-conference slate with 5-0 record

by Michelle Dillon michelle@thecherokeean.com

In their final non-conference game, the Alto Yellowjackets dominated the gridiron in Corrigan, beating the Bulldogs 40-15.

The Jacket defense contained the Bulldog offense to 225 yards, 188 on 58 rushing attempts and a mere 37 yards passing. The defense intercepted two pass attempts.

Foster Hall led in tackles with 13, four for losses, and a sack. Cayle Irving posted 12 tackles, one for loss, and a fumble recovery. Harmon West recorded 11 tackles, four for losses, one sack, one caused fumble, a blocked kick and an interception. Isaac Weatherford had seven tackles, including one for a loss, and a sack. Jerrion Skinner posted five tackles and an interception. Todd Duplichain added five tackles, four for losses.

With 262 yards rushing and 200 yards passing, the Jacket offense totaled 462 yards against Corrigan.

Vi’Dareous High had the most carries at 15 for 141 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown. Aaron Skinner ran for 75 yards on 10 carries, including a 3-yard touchdown. Skyler Atkins added 32 yards on two carries and West posted 14 yards on three runs which included a one-yard touchdown.

West completed 10 of 23 pass attempts for a 43 percent completion rate. Marlon Warren received four passes for 97 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown. Atkins caught four passes for 57 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown. Jay Pope caught a single 32-yard aerial and Duplichain caught a four-yard pass for a touchdown.

The only points in the first quarter came on a one-yard rush by West, followed by a successful PAT by Julio Serrano.

At about the eight-minute mark in the second quarter, the Bulldogs rushed for a touchdown. With a missed kick by the Bulldogs, Alto retained a 7-6 lead. A 33-yard pass from West to Atkins resulted in another Alto touchdown. With a two-point conversion on a three-yard run by Aaron Skinner, Alto led the game, 15-6. Advancing 53 yards on a run, Warren was next to cross the goal line, upping the Jackets’ lead to 21-6 before the halftime break.

The Bulldogs were first to score in the third quarter, kicking a field goal with approximately four minutes remaining in the period. Alto responded with a four-yard run by Duplichain that put him into the end zone. Although the kick was no good, Alto’s lead had increased to 27-9.

Corrigan-Camden scored on a 45-yard run in the final frame with approximately 10 minutes left in the game. The two-point conversion attempt by the Bulldogs failed and Alto remained ahead, 27-15. With a 15-yard run by High that put him across the goal line, the Jackets increased their lead, 33-15. The final points of the game came from a three-yard touchdown run by Aaron Skinner and a successful point-after kick by Serrano.

The final score in the latest win by Alto, 40-15.

Alto has a bye Friday, Oct. 4, before entering their conference schedule Friday, Oct. 11.

The Yellowjackets currently lead District 10-2A with their 5-0 record. They are followed by Union Grove (3-2), Carlisle (2-2), Cushing (1-3), Big Sandy (1-3) and Hawkins (-0-6).

Alto (5-0) will begin the district slate at Big Sandy against the Wildcats (1-3) Friday, Oct. 11.