Staff Reports
BULLARD — Tenaha scored two touchdowns in the final 5:22 of play to evaporate an 11-point Alto lead as the Tigers handed the Mean Sting a heartbreaking, 20-17, loss in a Class A, Region III, Division II, bi-district game that was played at Panther Stadium in Bullard Thursday night.
Alto wraps up the 2009 campaign with an 8-3 worksheet while Tenaha (11-0) moves on to a area round tilt against Maud later this week.
After a defensive struggle opened the game and continued for about the first 30 minutes of play, the Yellowjackets finally drew first blood on a 22-yard Rowdy Wilson field goal that came with 6:42 to play in the third quarter.
Tenaha scored their first points of the night at the 11:44 point in the fourth when Reginald Davis raced in from 16 yards out (conversion attempt failed).
The touchdown didn’t slow the Yellowjackets down any as Alto scored the next two touchdowns, one come on a Tiger turnover and one coming on a fine run by Alto quarterback, Javonte Jones.
Alto moved in front 10-6 as Makio Houston intercepted an errant Tenaha pass and then ran it from 58 yards out.
The ‘Jackets bumped the score up to 17-6 on a 35-yard scoring scamper by Jones that came with 5:22 showing on the clock.
Davis found another gear shortly afterwards, scoring first on a 28-yard pass form Cobi Steadman and finally on a 95-yard catch and run from Steadman.
Davis finished the game with seven catches for 192 yards while Steadman’s numbers read, 14-of-21 for 260 yards (2 TD, 2 INT).
Tenaha outgained Alto 388 to 291 total yards.
Jones ran for 80 yards on 20 totes while D’Marcus Tyler added 74 yards on 14 carries for Alto.
Aaron Bruton also had a good effort for the ‘Jackets, carrying six times for 66 yards.
Defensively for Alto, Jordan Shaw and Houston each picked off a Tenaha pass in the game.
