‘Jacket star signs to play football

by Michelle Dillon michelle@thecherokeean.com

Alto senior Cayle Irvin singed his intent to play football for Bethel College on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

“It’s a great opportunity,” he said of signing to play football at the next level. “I can only thank God and my family for always supporting me. It’s a great opportunity and not many kids get to do it, so I’m blessed to get to.”

Irvin was both excited and nervous about the signing, realizing the commitment he was making and the dedication it would take to be a student athlete on the collegiate level.

Irvin has earned numerous awards over the last two years. His list of 2018 honors included All State-2nd Team Offensive Line, All State-Honorable Mention Linebacker; All East Texas-Honorable Mention Offensive Line, All East Texas-Honorable Mention Linebacker; District 10-2A All District-1st Team Offensive Line and District 10-2A All District-1st Team Linebacker.

His statistics for 2018 were 132 tackles recorded, including 30 for losses; seven quarterback sacks; two fumble recoveries and one interception.

The 2019 awards Irvin has earned to date include Academic All State-Honorable Mention and District 10-2A Most Valuable Player-Offense. This year, Irvin posted 137 tackles, 26 for losses; five quarterback sacks, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

Irvin will be studying history and plans to become a coach following in his parents’ footsteps, both of whom are employed at Alto High School. His mother Dana Irvin teaches math and coaches cross country and track. His father Jimmy Irvin also coaches and is the offensive coordinator for the football team. Irvin is the youngest of three. Brother Scott and sister Jayme, as well as parents Jimmy and Dana, are all proud of Cayle.

“All week they’ve been telling me they are proud of me and everything I’ve accomplished,” the younger Irvin stated. “I’m just grateful to have a great family like that.”

Along with his family, many from the Alto school district are proud of Irvin as well.

“It’s a big compliment to him and his skills and what he’s been able to achieve,” commented head football coach and athletic director Ricky Meeks. “He’d be the first to tell you this doesn’t come along without his teammates as well.

“The more success we have, people are going to come find out why we’re having that success and it’s wonderful exposure for our kids. He’s an unbelievable talent, a great young man, but this is something that just goes along with the achievements we’ve had all year long as a team.”