IYAA football for ages kindergarten through 6th grades is in it’s second week of pre-season practices. The Majors (5th & 6th grades), the Minors (3rd and 4th grades) and then Bantam (K-2nd grades) make up the three teams the IYAA will be fielding in 2009.

On Monday, the Majors coached by Jason Escamilla, Randy Boyd, Glen McClendon, Scott Connor and Paul Harris scrimmaged the Minors coached by Ken Norwood, Edwin Wallace, Mailen Davis and Aaron Itson.

The battle gives both teams a chance to line up across from 11 other players and really get a feel for the layout of the game.

Although the scrimmage is friendly in nature, both teams still go at it with pride and passion. If you noticed a cloud of dust Monday, when looking in the direction of the Upchurch ballfields, it was just a Minor collision with some Major impact.

On a seperate field, kicking up a few grass blades of their own, were the Bantam players coached by Gary Wood, Barry Byers and Corey Johnson.

The biggest challenge these mighty mites face is not falling over backwards due to the weight of their helmets.

The quote of the season so far was when Darrin Jackson looked up to one of his larger teammates and said, “I’ll go against you but don’t hit me hard…I’m only five.”

“We’re teaching the basics right now such as firing off at the snap, running fast and form tackling. Blocking tecnique is important to us as well, and of our 5 returning players, 3 of them are offensive lineman. We’ll lean on them early to help the new kids get their cleats wet,” said Coach Gary Wood.

All the Italy players will need to be at the Rice High School football field parking lot Friday, August 29 at 10:15 a.m. for official weigh-ins. The players must be weighed if they hope to run the ball.

Season Opener:
Saturday, September 12, 2009 at Palmer
BANTAM – 9:00 a.m.
MINOR – 10:30 a.m.
MAJOR – 12:00 noon

Picture Day:
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at the Italy High School football field
BANTAM – 5:30 p.m.
MINOR – 6:15 p.m.
MAJOR – 6:30 p.m.

Homecoming Bonfire:
Will be at 1326 L.R. Campbell Rd. in Italy

Homecoming:
Saturday, September 26, 2009 at the Italy High School football field

IYAA Sports, “The winning tradition starts here.”