IYAA Gladiators haunt the Hubbard Jaguars at home
Italy’s A-team had their hands full against the visiting Jaguars — Italy’s A-Team kept playing hard the entire game despite falling to the Jaguars 14-0. A-Team is still in the playoff picture, however, and will be hungry for a win over Rice next Saturday. (Barry Byers)
The IYAA Gladiators pee-wee football teams and cheerleaders hosted the Hubbard Jaguars on Saturday in Italy.
C-Team (k-2nd):
Game one matched the 4-0 IYAA C-Team against the 4-2 Jaguars. Coach Gary Wood’s C-Team, led by quarterback Ricky Pendleton, sprinted past the Jaguars
on their way to a 28-0 victory.
Pendleton accounted for three scores, two by land and one through the air after catching a pass in the endzone from backup quarterback Ja’Sean Brooks.
Brooks also ran for a 90-yard touchdown scamper on a quarterback keeper in the third quarter.
Italy’s defense, under the guidance of Coach Barry Byers, has posted five straight shutouts this season, refusing to be scored on.
“Everyone has a role and they do their job. I was very pleased with our reaction to the ball. Hubbard was the first team to complete sideline passes on us this season, and we tackled them both for no gain. The team is a very mature group, and I’m excited about our chances of going undefeated in the division two-years in a row,” said Coach Byers.
Tyvon Gates had one of the fumble recoveries while Pendleton stripped the other. Levi Stark had one of his best games on the defensive line while Gage Wafer made that big hit he’s been waiting for.
For Coach Corey Johnson’s special teams, Julius Wilson made a critical onside kick recovery to erase all hopes for the Jaguars.
B-Team:
Coach Ken Norwoods B-Team had no treats for Hubbard on Halloween day. The IYAA B-Team posted their second shutout of the season by terrorizing the Jaguars 33-0.
The win improves Norwood’s “golden ghouls” to a 6-0 record. Tylan Wallace, Ryder Smithwick and Taron Smith led the charge, while B-Team’s bullies up front cleared the way.
In the first half, a pass from Wallace to Kendrick Norwood was good for a 35-yard touchdown and set the tone for the rest of the game for B-Team.
Center Austin Lowe was snapping the ball from a mud hole most of the game and doing a masterful job as the B-Team sent chills down the spines of the Rice coaching staff who will be in town next Saturday.
A-Team:
The 4th place IYAA A-Team, with a 2-2 record, played a solid ball game against a hard hitting Hubbard squad that ranked third in the division at 3-1.
Coach Jason Escamilla’s “tenacious eleven” battled the Jaguars until the last tic of the clock. Austin Maynard gave a valiant effort from the quarterback position but Hubbard’s defense stayed aggressive.
A-Team’s two wins in the division this season were thanks to an improving running game. However, once A-Team fell behind 14-0, they were forced to go to the air to pick up first downs against a stingy Hubbard secondary.
When A-Team did run, Issac Salcido carved through the Hubbard defense like it was a pumkin patch. But for the most part, Italy’s ground game with Salcido, Ken Norwood and Austin Warren were slowed in the mud.
Forcing Italy to pass on third and longs, the Jaguars made it difficult for Maynard to get the the ball into the hands of Norwood and Joseph Celis, often flushing Maynard out of the pocket and forcing him to throw on the run.
The Halloween day loss gives A-Team a 2-3 division record but they are still currently in fourth place and their playoff hopes are still alive.