2012 LSG Team Preview — Alto Yellowjackets

By Michael Wright
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: July 24, 2012

2012 LSG Texas High School Football Team Preview — Alto Yellowjackets

Team: Alto Yellowjackets (10-1A Division I)

First Varsity Season: 1927

Stadium: Yellow Jacket Stadium

Enrollment: 171 -- 4th largest in the district out of 6 schools

2012 Schedule:
@ Elhart
@ Groveton
Tenaha
@ Frankston
Trinity
Cushing **
@ West Sabine **
Grapeland **
@ San Augustine **
Shelbyville **

Coach: Keith Gardner (7 years) 69-17 record at Alto (#3 in all-time coaching wins at Alto); 69-17 All-Time Coaching Record

Coaches Comments: The Yellowjackets have several skilled players returning, but must stay healthy due to lack of depth. The preseason is loaded with a group of tough opponents, all 2A schools with the exception of the defending 1A-II State Champions, Tenaha. We hope to use this time to gain experience to prepare us for district play. District 10-1A is loaded with several playoff quality teams. The district race is wide open. San Augustine drops from 2A and should present a challenge. West Sabine, Grapeland, Shelbyville and Cushing will be waiting for the Yellowjackets in district play. Should be a four team race for the three spots. Alto, San Augustine, Grapeland and West Sabine.

Returning Lettermen: 15

Returning Starters: Offense: 6 Defense: 6

Key Players:
* QB/FS JR Jacolby Whitaker 6, 190, 4.5', 1,383 yards 18 TDs rushing 1,100 yards 12 TDs passing DIST OFF MVP
* FB/ILB Michael Taylor 6'1", 220, 4.6, 430 bench, 114 tackles 24 TFL 2nd Team All-State LB (TSWA) & DIST DEF MVP
* OT/DT Tanner Jones 6', 275, 5.3, 1st Team All-District OL
* OT/DT Kaleb Chapman 1st Team All-District OL
* RB/CB Joe Cruz
* K Nicholas Leon
* RB JR Anfernee Black
* LB Logan Smith 93 tackles
* DL SOPH Ja'V'onte Mumphrey 62 tackles

Notes:
* 4 consecutive 8 win seasons
* Have gone 4-4 in the playoffs since 2008

Mike Says: The Yellowjackets will once again be at least an 8+ win team. Their district match up against San Augustine will be a good one. They will need their two juniors QB Whitaker and RB Black to have great seasons in order to get past the 2nd or 3rd round.

Chris Says: Alto is one of the top 20 winning-est programs in Class 1A and that show no sign of letting up this season. The Yellowjackets are odds on favorite to take the district again and hope to go further in the playoffs. Alto will easily make this their 5th consecutive season with 8 or more wins.

Last Years Record: 8-4 overall 4-1 District

2011 Games:
vs Groveton (3-7) (W 35-13)
at San Augustine (8-3) (W 59-28)
at Tenaha (14-0) (L 7-54)
at Frankston (4-7) (L 20-39)
vs Kerens (4-7) (W 41-28)
at Cushing (2-8)* (W 55-6)
at Garrison (12-2)* (L 14-34)
vs Shelbyville (4-6)* (W 52-12)
at Timpson (1-9)* (W 41-0)
vs Grapeland (4-7)* (W 62-36)

Playoffs: Division I area
vs Simms Bowie (5-6) (at Carthage) (W 34-14) Bi-District
vs Lovelady (11-2) (at Crockett) (L 21-36) Area

History:
* Ranks #17 in Class 1A All-Time Winning %
* 24 year Winning Steak
* 32 of last 34 years winning season and those 2 losing seasons they had 4-6 records
* 7-5 vs. Garrison since 1994
* 6-2 vs. Frankston since 2000
* All-Time Record 515-343-34 59.64% 892 games
* Playoff Years: (31)
1935,1937,1942,1955,1960,1962,1981,1983,1984,1985,1986,1990,1992,1993,1994,1995
1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011

Championship History: (3) 2-1
1995 2A - Celina 32, Alto 28
2006 1A Division I - Alto 42, McCamey 13
2007 1A Division I - Alto 22, Seymour 0

Last 5 year record: 46-15

Last 10 year record: 90-29

Did you play for the Alto Yellowjackets? You are eligible for The Brotherhood of Texas High School Football. <---click to be honored