Scott Ponder looks to lead Alto back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021

ALTO, Texas ( KETK ) – Alto head football coach Scott Ponder hasn't had to do much motivating since he arrived on campus earlier this year.

Alto football riding three-game win streak as Yellowjackets eye first playoff trip since 2021

"We wanna win. We wanna be a good team. I mean, we got a ways to go but the 'want to' is there. And that's the number one thing you gotta have," Ponder said.

The Yellowjackets haven't made the playoffs since 2021 and are more than ready to end that streak.

"Not making the playoffs sucks but I think we're predicted to win district this year. You know, just not being an underdog and everybody believing in us it just feels really good," senior quarterback Camdyn Almond said.

"Last year we definitely should've made the playoffs but we came up short. The year before that, it was the same thing, so this year I'm definitely planning on hitting the playoffs and making a run there. Just not making it but making a run as well," senior running back and safety AJ Buckingham said.

After four seasons at Mount Enterprise, where Ponder led the Wildcats to the playoffs three times including a state semifinal appearance in 2025, he took over at district foe Alto back in January.

"Feel like he's just brought everybody's confidence back cuz everybody rallies around Coach Ponder. Everybody loves that guy so everybody's willing to go to war for him, and it's just made everybody play better," Almond said.

Ponder said it was a tough decision to leave Mount Enterprise but he's excited to be in Alto and can't wait to lead the Yellowjackets into battle.

"Alto's a football town. It's important to the community. They got flags hanging on every pole in town. And they wanna win. They wanna be successful and that's intriguing and exciting, and the kids buy into that and that history. We gotta put a product on the field that matches that enthusiasm of the community," Ponder said.

Almond said Alto's experience will make them tough to beat this fall.

"Our senior class is pretty big. A lot of those guys started as freshmen and just started every year since then," Almond said.

Buckingham senses a belief growing within the Yellowjackets program and in the Alto community.

"Not only do we believe but the community believes again as well and that's exciting," Buckingham said.

Ponder and the Yellowjackets open the season on the road at Groveton on Friday, August 28.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at John W. Reynolds Athletic Complex in Groveton.