District 11-2A Division I makes an almost irrefutable argument as the state's best Class 2A district.

Alto is going to lead the group by opening the season from the No. 2 spot in ETSN.fm's Class 2A/Private Schools Poll. But it's not going to be an easy road to the district crown with No. 6 San Augustine, No. 7 Shelbyville and No. 9 Joaquin also boxed into the league.

The Yellowjackets also will begin the season just a bit higher than No. 3 Tyler Grace Community, No. 4 Bullard Brook Hill and No. 5 Tyler Bishop Gorman from the TAPPS level of competition.

No. 8 Groveton and No. 10 Big Sandy round out the poll to its present point. The No. 1 team in the poll will be revealed Saturday.

We think this is going to be a big year for Alto universal athlete Mikkah Hackett.

Hackett recorded 78 tackles as a junior defensive back, including 11 sacks, and also made four interceptions in the Yellowjackets' run to the area round of the Division I playoffs. He additionally caught 18 passes for 380 yards -- an average of 21.1 yards per catch.

Ra'Dedrick Woodson is another key player from a group of 11 returning starters. He made 51 tackles from his nose guard spot, and 39 of those takedowns were for lost yardage.

Alto should be a deep team for the 2A level, if not completely experienced.

The 2016 roster boasts big size on both the offensive and defensive lines.

You can never underestimate the Yellowjackets' collective athleticism, either.

There are a handful of offensive rotational players -- like Hackett -- that got minimized by now-Tulsa athlete Keenen Johnson.

With Johnson off to the American Athletic Conference, we're going to see what Fred Thacker can do under center and what other athletes like Jaqualon Finley and Jayren Whitaker can do at the receiver spots.

If it all comes together, it could be a special year in Alto.

 

2016 Alto Yellowjackets Football Schedule

DateOpponentTime/Result
Aug. 26at WinonaW 58-32
Sept. 2Big SandyW 44-21
Sept. 9ArpL 27-7
Sept. 16GarrisonW 42-41
Sept. 23at RuskW 26-21
Sept. 30OPEN
Oct. 7*at JoaquinL 24-7
Oct. 14*CarlisleL 28-7
Oct. 21*at San AugustineW 44-39
Oct. 28*CushingW 46-8
Nov. 4*at ShelbyvilleW 54-13
Nov. 11(BI-DISTRICT): vs. CentervilleL 49-28

ETSN.fm Preseason Class 2A/Private Schools Poll

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