ETSN.fm Class 2A/Private Schools Preseason Poll: No. 1, Alto Yellowjackets

Alto isn't rebuilding after its run to last year's Class 2A Division I regional championship appearance. Even though the school returns just five players from that wildly successful team, it is simply reloading.

The Yellowjackets will begin the season ranked No. 1 in ETSN.fm's Class 2A/Private Schools Poll. But now they will have to show they belong.

We don't think that will be much of a problem with senior quarterback Keenen Johnson in the fold. He's the latest East Texas small school player whose that can absolutely take over a game on his own.

Johnson, ETSN.fm's Offensive Newcomer of the Year last season, put up 4,045 yards of offense on his own and accounted for more than half of his team's 613 points last season. With another offseason in the weight room under his belt, the current SMU and Louisiana-Lafayette could be in store for an even bigger season.

But that's only if the Yellowjackets don't come up with one to two more playmakers. The way Alto sees it, less could be more.

Receiver Craig Collins marks another check-plus on the Alto roster after an impressive junior campaign in his own right on the offensive side. Furthermore, he was dominant as a linebacker with 36 tackles for loss and eight sacks as part of 127 total tackles in just 12 games.

There are some questions before talk of pushing for another regional championship appearance becomes talk of a state championship, however.

Johnson and Collins make up the only two returning offensive starters and are two of the three players retained on defense. A handful of other players will have to step up to complete the dream.

Alto also will have to contend against a promising Carlisle team and a strong Kerens program in addition to District 11-2A Division I games against Cayuga, Grapeland and Cross Roads just to get back into the playoffs. A tough non-district slate against Crockett, Troup, No. 3 Brook Hill, Buffalo and No. 6 Tenaha is going to help.

2015 Alto Yellowjackets Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Time/Result
Aug. 28	Crockett	W 60-33
Sept. 4	at Troup	W 30-7
Sept. 11	at Bullard Brook Hill	W 33-20
Sept. 18	at Buffalo	W 74-21
Sept. 25	Tenaha	W 52-7
Oct. 2	OPEN
Oct. 9	*Grapeland	W 48-28
Oct. 16	*Carlisle	W 21-7
Oct. 23	*at Cayuga	W 55-14
Oct. 30	*Kerens	W 49-13
Nov. 6	*at Cross Roads	W 54-0
Nov. 13	(BI-DISTRICT): vs. Groveton	W 63-14
Nov. 20	(AREA): vs. Beckville	L 49-20