As Expected, Alto + West Sabine Enter District 10-A D-I Schedule as Favorites for League Crown

A lot has happened during the first six weeks of the 2013 football season, but all signs still point to Alto and West Sabine fighting for the District 10-A Division I championship.

Alto (3-2) suffered a couple of early losses to Class 2A Elkhart and Class A power Tenaha, but the Yellow Jackets have played five opponents that are a combined 15-10 entering this week's action. That should prepare first-year head coach Paul Gould's squad for a tough league schedule that includes three other playoff-caliber teams in West Sabine, San Augustine, and Shelbyville.

West Sabine (4-0) has completely dominated its four opponents, outscoring them 229-30. But those four foes are a combined 3-17; West Hardin is 3-2, while the other three -- Beaumont Kelly Catholic, Hemphill, and Burkeville -- are winless.

Nevertheless, the Oct. 18 showdown in Alto between the Yellow Jackets and Tigers is still expected to be the de facto district championship game.

Two quality teams could throw a wrench in those plans, though.

San Augustine's 1-4 record is misleading. The Wolves, who won the league championship in 2012, have lost to four opponents with a 19-2 cumulative record. None of those games, including a loss to 6-0 Class 2A team Garrison, was decided by more than 13 points.

Then there's Shelbyville, a 3-2 team with a pair of losses that came by a combined five points to a tough Joaquin squad and a 3-2 Class 2A Groveton team. Additionally, Shelbyville gets West Sabine (Friday) and Alto (Nov. 8) at home in hopes of springing an upset. The Dragons' biggest game of the district schedule is probably next week, when they travel to San Augustine for what could be a playoff berth-deciding contest.

* -- denotes playoff berth

Friday's District 10-A Division I Openers

• San Augustine at Grapeland
• West Sabine at Shelbyville
• Alto at Cushing