Saturday morning in Hubbard, the IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) fielded two football teams competing for a chance to become Superbowl Champions of their respective divisions.

Italy’s first opportunity to claim the ultimate pee-wee football prize pitted their 1st seeded IYAA C-Team Gladiators (K-2nd Graders) and undefeated at 7-0 against the 2nd seeded Palmer Bulldogs who were also undefeated at 7-0.

The IYAA C-Team ran over the competition during the regular season outscoring their opponents 168-0 (207-0 overall). Not only was a Superbowl Championship on the line for head coach Gary Wood’s team, their undefeated, unscored on record was on the line as well.

An opening day rain out kept these two powerhouses from meeting in week 1. Palmer declined the make-up game conceeding the 1st seed ranking to Italy for the playoffs.

In the 1st half, the championship football game turned into a war as neither side was willing to budge. Palmer’s offense chewed up the clock with quarterback sneaks up the middle while their viscious defense kept Italy’s big play running backs contained.

Palmer’s strategy was effective until Italy’s Christian Cole(21) avoided tacklers down the right sideline to put the C-Team Gladiators on the board with a 6-0 lead late in the 2nd quarter.

It looked as though a Palmer runner was going to go the distance just before halftime, but fortunately for defensive coach Barry Byers, safety Ricky Pendleton(3) caught the Bulldog speedster from behind. Italy held strong and took a 6-0 lead into the break.

The war of wills raged on in the 3rd, but Italy finally took control of the game when Pendleton got a seal block from his tight end Ja’Sean Brooks(12) that gave Pendleton a smooth path to the endzone around the right side. The play made the score 12-0 going into the 4th.

Palmer continued pounding the middle of Italy’s defense driving all the way to the C-Team Gladiators 10-yard line. A tackle in the backfield by cornerback Tyvon Gates(9) left Palmer unable to recoup the yards.

Italy took over possession and a tiring Bulldog defense was unable to keep stride with Pendleton who splashed his way to one last Italy touchdown behind blocks from Will Brooks(88) and Cole to help the IYAA C-Team Gladiators win the 2009 NESA “C” Division Superbowl, 18-0.

The C-Team finished as Division Champions, Conference Champions and undefeated, unscored on Superbowl Champions, redefining the term, “perfect season”.

IYAA C-Team Superbowl Champions:

Head Coach: Gary Wood
Assistants: Barry Byers, Corey Johnson, Sean Brooks, Melvin Wallace, Bill Wafer
Video by: Barry Byers, Sean Brooks

Watch it on YouTube

Italy’s opportunity to claim their second Superbowl Championship of the day featured Ken Norwood’s undefeated B-Team Gladiators at 8-0 against the 8-1 Ferris Yellowjackets. Italy had beaten Ferris earlier in the season, 19-6, to become the 1st seed in the playoffs.

The IYAA B-Team defense, who outscored their opponents 190-18 (245-24 overall) during the regular season, disturbed the nest of some ornery yellowjackets dressed in black and orange. Italy and Ferris stabbed and stung each other throughout the game. However, it was Italy’s B-Team scoring first when Taron Smith(21) scooped up a low snap and twirled around the right side for 6-points. The conversion run for 1-point was good to make the score 7-0 in Italy’s favor.

Italy’s defense was tested but passed with flying gold, black and white colors. Thanks to the defensive efforts of Ja’Shawn Johnson(5), Kendrick Norwood(1), Tylan Wallace(7), Kiute Lucas(11), Ryder Itson(6) and James McIntyre(10), Italy held their 7-0 lead into the break.

The 3rd quarter had both sides trading paint marks on their helmets but neither team was able to push back the other. Italy went to the air with Wallace at quarterback but he was unable to connect with receivers Itson and Norwood.

The 3rd quarter ended with the score still 7-0 in Italy’s favor but the game’s final outcome was still hanging in the balance.

It wasn’t until the 5:00 mark of the 4th quarter that the B-Team Gladiator fans could breath a little easier. Wallace ran a quarterback keeper to the right, putting distance between us and them, 13-0.

Ferris was unable to respond and Italy took back control of the ball late in the 4th. Moments later, Gladiator Kendrick Norwood rumbled across the goal line for 6 more points to give Italy’s B-Team an 19-0 lead. The 2-point conversion pass from Wallace to Itson fell incomplete but the damage was done.

The buzzer sounded and assistant coach Edwin Wallace drenched his players with a cooler full of water. Coach Norwood high-kneed with guns blazing as the IYAA B-Team earned the title, "2009 NESA “B” Division Undefeated Superbowl Champions to go along with their Division Championship and Conference Championship qualifications.

IYAA B-Team Superbowl Champions:

Head Coach: Ken Norwood
Assistants: Edwin Wallace, Mailen Davis, Aaron Itson, Addison Alexander

All the players received Superbowl Championship medals, Superbowl shirts, bags of candy and “IYAA Superbowl Champions” caps provided by a confident Coach Wood.

The IYAA Cheerleaders, who performed dance routines during the halftimes, were awarded Golden Megaphones, gift bags and Superbowl Championship medals as well.

And if that wasn’t enough, the IYAA celebrated their accomplishments at the IYAA Bonfire Party hosted by Coach Wood and his family at their home in Italy.

Bryant Cockran was the man behind the mic as the cheerleaders performed in front of the towering inferno for all the IYAA Gladiator fans.

Bar-b-que brisket was served by Coach Wood while music and dancing kept everyone entertained.

Then all the cheerleaders and players received trophies for a job well done. 6th Graders Ryan Connor and Austin Maynard from the IYAA A-Team (2009 Conference Championship Finalists), were awarded an extra trophy as they will be moving on to the Junior high level next season.

Congratulations to all the cheerleaders, players, coaches and parents for helping to make IYAA history. 2009 marked the 1st time all three IYAA football teams qualified for the Playoffs at the same time. Also, this season earned the IYAA it’s first two Superbowl Championships!

A special thanks to Tina and Marty Haight, Robin and Billy Wafer, the Delahoya family, Dart Manufacturing, Principal Carolyn Meavers at Stafford Elementary, Principal Tanya Parker, Athletic Director Craig Bales and Larry Mayberry of Italy High School, Mr. Erwin Green, and the Italyneotribune.com

Get well soon, Bobby!

IYAA Sports, “The winning tradition starts here.”