IYAA Homecoming doubles as season opener

Image: That’s one… — Michael Gomez, Levi Stark & Jasean Brooks are happy to be starting out the 2009 campaign 1-0.

That’s one… — Michael Gomez, Levi Stark & Jasean Brooks are happy to be starting out the 2009 campaign 1-0. (Barry Byers)

Image: Here we go Italy! — The 2009 IYAA Bantum Cheerleaders keep the C-team spirit up during Homecoming Saturday.

Here we go Italy! — The 2009 IYAA Bantum Cheerleaders keep the C-team spirit up during Homecoming Saturday. (Barry Byers)

Image: Holden recovers — Holden Schrotke dives on a fumble for the IYAA C-team Gladiators.

Holden recovers — Holden Schrotke dives on a fumble for the IYAA C-team Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: The walk of victory — C-team head coach Gary Wood, with help from Gary Escamilla, directs his players across the field to congratulate Blooming Grove on a hard fought game.

The walk of victory — C-team head coach Gary Wood, with help from Gary Escamilla, directs his players across the field to congratulate Blooming Grove on a hard fought game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Getting a tow — Somebody call Helm’s Garage…little Joe Jackson is stuck in the muddy tundra of Willis Field. Coach Wood fills in as tow line to get Joe out of his predicament.

Getting a tow — Somebody call Helm’s Garage…little Joe Jackson is stuck in the muddy tundra of Willis Field. Coach Wood fills in as tow line to get Joe out of his predicament. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyvon and Ricky — Tyvon Gates and Ricky Pendleton proved too tough to handle for the Lions.

Tyvon and Ricky — Tyvon Gates and Ricky Pendleton proved too tough to handle for the Lions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bryce DeBorde — Bryce Deborde claims his Homecoming spirit bag after the game.

Bryce DeBorde — Bryce Deborde claims his Homecoming spirit bag after the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Minors get rolling — The IYAA B-team Gladiators sweep right against the Lions.

Minors get rolling — The IYAA B-team Gladiators sweep right against the Lions. (Jason Escamilla)

Image: Set for take off — Taron Smith lunges into the endzone and taps the pylon for 6-points against Blooming Grove.

Set for take off — Taron Smith lunges into the endzone and taps the pylon for 6-points against Blooming Grove. (Barry Byers)

Image: Almost! — James Mcintyre tries to make a catch for the 2-point conversion.

Almost! — James Mcintyre tries to make a catch for the 2-point conversion. (Barry Byers)

Image: Aaaaahhhhhh — Cooling of the engine on the sideline.

Aaaaahhhhhh — Cooling of the engine on the sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Go Italy! — The IYAA Cheerleaders put on a show during Homecoming.

Go Italy! — The IYAA Cheerleaders put on a show during Homecoming. (Barry Byers)

Image: Big hit! — This Blooming Grove runner receives a rude welcome from James McIntyre(10) and the B-team defense.

Big hit! — This Blooming Grove runner receives a rude welcome from James McIntyre(10) and the B-team defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: This way! — Kendrick Norwood(1) sweeps left to make it difficult for the Lions to stalk him as Taron Smith(21) leads the way.

This way! — Kendrick Norwood(1) sweeps left to make it difficult for the Lions to stalk him as Taron Smith(21) leads the way. (Barry Byers)

Image: Could go all the way… — ..and Kendrick Norwood he does for 6-points!

Could go all the way… — ..and Kendrick Norwood he does for 6-points! (Jason Escamilla)

Image: A-team sports the flag — A-team sports the flag as they prepare to enter the playing field.

A-team sports the flag — A-team sports the flag as they prepare to enter the playing field. (Barry Byers)

Image: The defense arrives — The IYAA B-team defense posted a shutout against the Lions in a 26-0 win.

The defense arrives — The IYAA B-team defense posted a shutout against the Lions in a 26-0 win. (Barry Byers)

Image: When Gladiators attack — The IYAA Gladiators A-team defense led by Joseph Celis(30) stalk the Lions from behind.

When Gladiators attack — The IYAA Gladiators A-team defense led by Joseph Celis(30) stalk the Lions from behind. (Barry Byers)

Image: Access Denied! — This Blooming Grove back saw endzone just moments before he saw stars after a crushing tackle was made by Joseph Celis.

Access Denied! — This Blooming Grove back saw endzone just moments before he saw stars after a crushing tackle was made by Joseph Celis. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fumble! — A hustling tackle by Joseph Celis forced the Lions to fumble into the B-team endzone for a Gladiator touchback. Italy took over at their own 20-yard line.

Fumble! — A hustling tackle by Joseph Celis forced the Lions to fumble into the B-team endzone for a Gladiator touchback. Italy took over at their own 20-yard line. (Barry Byers)

Image: I needed that — Austin Maynard decided pouring cold water over his head would make everything feel better.

I needed that — Austin Maynard decided pouring cold water over his head would make everything feel better. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hooray x 3 = #1 — Three cheers for the IYAA! We are #1!!

Hooray x 3 = #1 — Three cheers for the IYAA! We are #1!! (Barry Byers)

Image: Taylor is happy — I could get into this IYAA cheerleading thing.

Taylor is happy — I could get into this IYAA cheerleading thing. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheerleaders get a well deserved applause — Lilly Perry receives flowers and gifts from cheer coach Darla Wood as fans cheer for the cheerleaders.

Cheerleaders get a well deserved applause — Lilly Perry receives flowers and gifts from cheer coach Darla Wood as fans cheer for the cheerleaders. (Barry Byers)

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