Alto routs Timpson 51-27: Bears succumb to swarming Yellowjacket attack

The Alto Yellowjackets rallied from a halftime deficit to overcome the Timpson Bears Friday night, 51-27.

Timpson showed early toughness in Alto and led the Jackets by a score of 20-13 at the end of the second quarter.

But Alto refused to be denied and continued offensive attacks and a swarming defense to put the bears down by the end of the game.

“I’m very proud of our effort,” said Alto head football Coach Ricky Meeks following the game. “We’re still making mistakes that we’ve got to get corrected. But they’re things that can be corrected. That’s the good side of it.”

Alto scored first in the contest, when Jacket junior quarterback Harmon West (No. 10), handed off the ball to sophomore running back Vidareous High (No. 2) on a fourth and 16. The point after attempt (PAT) failed and with 4:59 remaining in the opening period, Alto led 6-zip.

“That’s the good side of it,” Coach Meeks said. “The kids just followed through and played really well defensively again, and that always keeps you in the game.”

Three plays and 28 seconds later, the Bears struck back when senior Timpson quarterback Josh Grogan (No. 7) rambled 29 yards for a TD. Timpson succeeded on a two point conversion and with 3:27 left in the first period, the Bears took the early lead 8-6.

Early in the second, West handed off to senior wide receiver Skyler Adkins (No. 19) on the reverse, and Adkins, who zipped 39 yards for the Yellowjacket score. That put Alto back in the lead 13-8 with 11:32 remaining in the opening half.

“I think we’re playing very well defensively,” Coach Meeks said.

The Jackets limited Timpson to 204 total offense for the game, including 98 yards rushing on 46 attempts; and also 106 yards passing with Grogan completing seven of 17 attempts.

In contrast, Alto had 50 yards of offense, including 389 yards rushing, on 36 carries and 111 yards passing on 12 catches.

The Bears would score again before half time to bring the halftime score to 20-13, Timpson.

The game was also delayed in the first half for almost an hour

High and Atkins added scores early in the third to give Alto a 25-20 lead with 7:56 left in the third.

But after Alto shut down yet another promising Timpson drive, the Jackets hit pay dirt again when Jacket running back Aaron Skinner (No. 9) scored from 24 yards out. With 1: remaining in the third, the Yellowjackets were leading 32-20.

High and Atkins added fourth quarter scores and while Timpson responded with a TD to bring the score to 45-27, Jackets, with 3:03 remaining in the game.

A final Alto score with 1:44 remaining in the game brought the score to the final 51-27, Alto.

“We’re playing very well defensively against the run,” Coach Meeks said. “And then offensively, we’re controlling the line of scrimmage, which helps. We’re running the ball really well and we have two or three guys that I feel comfortable handing the ball to.”

This Friday night, the Jackets travel north of Longview on highway 259 to take on New Diana. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m.