The IYAA competes in Conference Championship games

Barry Byers Posted November 19, 2008 4:00pm IYAA Football

Image: Fighting For Yards — 80 – Isaac Salcido tries to fight his way through the Wildcat defensive line during the B Division’s Conference Championship game against Scurry Rosser this past Saturday in, an extremely cold, Hubbard, Texas. — Fighting For Yards — 80 – Isaac Salcido tries to fight his way through the Wildcat defensive line during the B Division’s Conference Championship game against Scurry Rosser this past Saturday in, an extremely cold, Hubbard, Texas. (Christina Esselman)

The IYAA C-Team Gladiators had to endure a bitterly cold 9:00 a.m. game start to compete for the Conference Championship against the Scurry Rosser Wildcats. Scurry’s previous loss to the Gladiators and the frigid weather didn’t detour them as the Wildcats jumped out to a 19-6 halftime lead.

Italy responded in the third quarter with a touchdown run by Taron Smith. Smith successfully threw for the two-point conversion caught by Corbin Schrotke in the back corner of the endzone making the score 19-14 Scurry leading.

In the fourth quarter, the wildcats busted a long reverse play down the left sideline for another touchdown to stretch their lead 25-14. Italy managed another score late when Smith scored again. The extra-point attempt failed, but Italy was back in the game trailing 25-20.

With the game on the line, Coach Gary Wood encouraged Smith to go the distance on the next play. Smith went around the Scurry defense and down the left sideline. Smith who had carried the load the whole season for the young Gladiator squad was unable to finish off the run and was tackled at the 30-yard line of Scurry with 1:47 left in the game. Smith was unable to catch his breath after the long run in the cold and was out for the remainder of the game. Without Smith, the Italy offense sputtered as the Wildcats defense fell on a loose ball to end the game.

The C-Team finished the regular season as Division Champs with a perfect 8-0 record, 9-1 overall.

The Ferris Yellow Jackets will challenge the Scurry Rosser Wildcats next weekend, November 22, in the Superbowl at Ferris with a 10:00 a.m. starting time.

The IYAA Gladiator B-Team had a 3:00 p.m. start time against the Scurry Rosser Wildcats in their Conference Championship game. Although the Wildcats had beating Italy without any trouble earlier in the season. Italy didn’t seem worried as they held on to a 6-point lead into the third quarter.

Scurry managed to get the game tied 6-6 and then later took the lead on a controversial 2-point safety call. The Wildcats held on for the 8-6 win over a tough battling Italy B-Team who finished the 2008 season with a hard earned 6-3 record and a 3rd place finish in their division.

The B-Team Superbowl will also be in Ferris next weekend, on November 22, with a 12:00 p.m. game start.

Congratulations to all the IYAA players, cheerleaders and coaches for a memorable season.

Breaking Tackles — 2 – Tylan Wallace plows his way through the Scurry defense. (Christina Esselman)

Busting Out — 8 – Kendrick Norwood breaks from the pack searching for some running room in the Conference Championship game against the Wildcats from Scurry. (Christina Esselman)

Heading For Daylight — 2 – Tylan Wallace tries to keep his feet while he heads for yardage against Wildcat defenders. (Christina Esselman)

Surrounded — This Scurry runner is rethinking his last decision as he gets completely trapped by the Italy B-Team Defense. (Christina Esselman)

Going For It — 2 – Tylan Wallace attempts to escape the claws of Scurry Rosser Wildcat. (Christina Esselman)

Turnovers And Tears — Big Isaac Salcido collides with a Scurry player as blood, sweat and tears go flying. (Christina Esselman)

Pulling Away — 8 – Kendrick Norwood displays his athletic ability by running faster than a Wildcat. (Christina Esselman)

Dejected — A dejected Elliott Worsham is upset after the heartbreaking loss that kept Italy from reaching the Superbowl. (Christina Esselman)

Stunned — Cade Roberts is dazed after the B-Teams loss to Scurry Rosser. (Christina Esselman)

All Smiles — Ty Hamilton was all smiles eating an orange slice since Italy was leading 6-0 at halftime. (Christina Esselman)

James Walton Ponders — James Walton is in deep thought at halftime. An upset win over Scurry would catapult Italy’s B-Team into the Superbowl. (Christina Esselman)

Wildcat Loose — Italy’s defense tries to pen this runaway Wildcat against the sideline in Saturday’s game. (Christina Esselman)

Staying Warm — C.C. Jones raises his hood to reveal his game face before taking the field against the Scurry Rosser Wildcats. (Christina Esselman)

Football Weather — Corbin Schrotke relies on push-ups trying to stay warm during the halftime of the C Division’s Conference Championship game between Italy and Scurry. (Barry Byers)

Check It Out! — Bryce DeBorde, Levi Stark and Mason Griffin admire the shoe polish wishing them luck in the game against Scurry. (Barry Byers)

BBBBUUUUURRRRRR — Mason Griffin peeks through the blanket, he’s using to stay warm, before the game against Scurry. (Barry Byers)

Dad Lends Advice — Levi Stark intently listens to his father and former football player Charlie Stark at halftime. (Barry Byers)

Coach…I’m Cold! — Andrew Gomez is looking for some place warm at halftime as the players get replenished with oranges and grapes. (Barry Byers)

All In The Family — Coach Justin Wood helps his little brother Bryce Deborde get buckled-up before the Conference Championship game against the Scurry Rosser Wildcats. (Barry Byers)