Grapeland Brings Two-Game Winning Streak Home Against Alto
By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
GRAPELAND — The Sandies have won two straight games and opened district play with a victory. Coach Jordan Wood wants them to bring that progress home Friday, Oct. 2, when Alto visits Jerry Richards Field for a 7 p.m. kickoff, our Messenger Game of the Week.
Grapeland beat previously unbeaten Cushing 29-7 last week after defeating Groveton 52-6 the week before. Wood said the difficult competition the Sandies faced early in the season has helped a young team grow into its roles.
“Our guys are starting to figure out how to play their positions, or getting the right guys in the right positions,” Wood said. “Now we’re just playing assignment football and taking care of the football, and it’s paying off.”
Alto comes to Grapeland with one win in five games, but Wood expects the Yellowjackets’ athleticism to make for a close matchup. Alto’s lone victory was a 38-9 win at Normangee on Sept. 11. The Yellowjackets most recently fell to Overton 35-19 on Saturday, Sept. 26.
“They’re athletic, and they’re going to match up with us well, but it comes down to taking care of the football,” Wood said. “I think if we take care of the football and don’t turn it over, I think we’ll be okay. But if we turn the football over, it could be rough for us.”
That concern remained fresh after the Cushing game. Grapeland won by 22 points, but Wood said two turnovers and Cushing’s ability to hold the ball kept the contest close for much of the night. He sees preparation and ball security as the difference between the Sandies playing to their ability and giving an opponent extra chances.
“If we prepare right, and if we take care of the ball, we can play with anybody,” Wood said. “But if we don’t take care of the football, anybody can beat us.”
Wood was also watching the possibility of rain later in the week. He said the forecast was changing frequently, but the Sandies were preparing for a wet game if rain reaches Grapeland on Friday.
“The good thing is we play on turf, so we don’t have to worry about field conditions,” Wood said. “But we still will have rain and wet balls and everything else like that.”
That could make his central point about protecting the football even more pressing. Whatever the conditions, Wood said the Sandies know what they need to prepare for against an Alto team he expects to match up well with them.
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
