Centerville’s Late Field Goal Ends Alto’s Season In Regional FInal

PALESTINE — Alto, which never led in Friday's Class 2A Division I, Region III finale, was in prime position to break a 20-20 tie with Centerville with under five minutes to go.

Instead, Centerville (10-4) capitalized on a fumble at its own 30-yard line and drove about 50 yards to set up Adrian Gaucin's game-winning kick with 1:27 left in the game for a surprising 23-20 victory.

The Yellowjackets (11-1) could not respond and were handed their first and final loss of the 2014 campaign.

Centerville led 13-7 at the end of the first quarter and held a 20-7 advantage at halftime.

Keenen Johnson's 11-yard run was the only score Alto managed through 24 minutes.

Things changed quickly.

Alto dominated time of possession in the third quarter and score on a Johnson 81-yard run and Jyran Shaw's 22-yard score to tie the game, 20-20, heading into the final period.

Johnson led the Yellowjackets with 263 rushing yards on 21 carries and completed 6 of 17 passes for 70 yards.

Shaw recorded 75 yards on the ground.

Alto linebacker Craig Collins led the Yellowjackets with eight tackles.

Darren Collins and Tyarius Hackett made seven tackles.

Centerville will take on Mason, which shocked state power Refugio 24-20, next week with a berth into the Class 2A Division I state championship game on the line.