Alto Yellowjackets are 5-0 in first season following two-year playoff ban

ALTO, Texas ( KETK ) – The Alto Yellowjackets went from 0-10 last season to starting 5-0 this season.

“I call it a revenge tour. We going to get it,” senior Timothy Bond said.
Bond and his teammates are eager to erase the memory of last year’s winless season.
“It was tough. I mean, trying your hardest, going out there playing every Friday night. Kids quitting,” Bond said.

For the players who stuck it out last season, like senior Ruben Olvera, they say they’ve become a family and it’s led to success this season.

“We learned how to work together. I mean last year we had potential we were just a bunch of athletes put together though. This year I feel like we’re actually working together as a team,” Olvera said.

Alto football has been under a playoff ban for the past two seasons after reporting inaccurate enrollment numbers.

The ban was handed down by the UIL around the time Yellowjackets head coach Brock Grigsby took over in 2022.

“That was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life is go in that locker room, face those kids, and then go in and face my coaches and explain that situation to a group of guys who had come to Alto with me,” Grigsby said.

With the playoff ban in the rearview mirror, Grigsby and his players have a new lease on life.
“It’s just been a whole different vibe around here. The energy’s been much better. A lot more exciting,” Grigsby said.

The Yellowjackets players point to this past offseason as a turning point for the program.
“It sent shivers down my spine what we went through. But yes sir, when we went through the offseason I realized that we were gonna turn out to be something this coming year,” senior Zackary Battle said.

As for what it would mean for the Yellowjackets to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021…

“Everything. It would mean everything. That’s the goal,” Bond said.

“I think for this team, and not only this team, the town and the culture bringing it back to being in the spotlight and put us back on the map,” senior Tyler Jordan added.

Alto (5-0) hosts district foe Grapeland (3-2) Friday night in our Friday Football Fever Spotlight Game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Cam’Ron Matthews Field in Alto.

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