![Rusk Takes Down Alto, 43-21, in Penalty-Filled Non-District Game](http://townsquare.media/site/542/files/2017/09/RJG00982.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Rusk Takes Down Alto, 43-21, in Penalty-Filled Non-District Game
ALTO – It was being billed as the Cherokee County Shootout, and the sold-out fans in attendance at Cameron Matthews Stadium witnessed a penalty-filled game that Rusk won against Alto, 43-21.
The first quarter looked like a track meet broke out at a football game.
Alto got a turnaround on an interception from Tanner McIntyre, setting up Alto at the 26-yard line.
Two plays later, Fred Thacker busted through the middle and carried half the Eagles defense with him to the goal-line for the score. Jose Castillo booted the PAT for a 7-0 score.
On the very next play, Thomas Hunter took the ensuing kickoff back 85 yards for a score, and Rusk tied the game after a Jermaine Lewis PAT kick.
The next Alto drive resulted in Thomas Hunter stepping in front of a Townsend pass on an out-route, and Hunter was off to the races for a 76-yard score and 21-7 cushion.
Rusk quarterback Dee McDuff added a 4-yard run to widen the score to 27-7 at intermission.
After the break, Alto came out and looked to be ready for a statement.
Thacker scored on a 72-yard touchdown run, but Rusk came right back with a 43-yard touchdown pass.
The final Eagles score came with Joseph Francis streaking out a fly pattern, and the perfect pass from McDuff finished up the scoring. Damion Freeney took a PAT pass from McDuff, for a 43-13 score.
Alto outgained the victors, 318-241, but Rusk threw for 140 yards to Alto's 28.
Thomas rushed five times for 82 yards and a touchdown, and one kickoff return for a score.
For the Jackets, Townsend ran for 80 yards on 19 carries, while Thacker added 57 yards on 10 attempts, including the long touchdown run.
More From East Texas Sports Network
![Longview’s Haynes King Offered By Tennessee](http://townsquare.media/site/542/files/2018/12/MDM-15691.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Pleasant Grove’s Landon Jackson Picks Up Oklahoma State Offer](http://townsquare.media/site/542/files/2018/10/MDM-8005.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana-Monroe Offers John Tyler’s Kitan Crawford](http://townsquare.media/site/542/files/2018/11/RJG0178A.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Alcorn State Offers Tyler Lee’s Jamal Ligon](http://townsquare.media/site/542/files/2018/07/Tyler-Lee_2018_Jamal-Ligon_01.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Crockett’s Allen Horace Offered By Texas Tech](http://townsquare.media/site/542/files/2018/08/Crockett_2018_Allen-Horace-Jr_01.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Illinois State Offers Tyler Lee’s Jamal Ligon](http://townsquare.media/site/542/files/2017/09/LWPB0449.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Thursday Basketball: Alto Splits Games at Tenaha Tournament](http://townsquare.media/site/542/files/2015/03/UIL-basketball-logo.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Longview Rallies By West Brook For First State Title in 81 Years](http://townsquare.media/site/542/files/2018/12/MDM-31381.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Kamden Perry Sets State Record in Longview’s Title Victory](http://townsquare.media/site/542/files/2018/12/MDM-1674.jpg?w=980&q=75)