IYAA Sports enjoyed successful Homecoming football games against the Ferris Yellow Jackets on Saturday. After Italy’s week one games were postponed due to inclement weather, IYAA players and cheerleaders were excited to finally show their skills in front of the home town fans.

Bantum (K-2nd) Game:
In game one, Ferris was out to avenge last season’s loss to Italy’s Bantam (0-1) team and kept the Gladiators penned near their own endzone for the entire first half. Ferris eventually scored on a reverse run and took a 7-0 lead into halftime, eventually winning 27-0 to post a 2-0 start to the Yellowjackets’ season.

Italy’s young Bantam team, coached by Barry Byers, managed a few big plays including a long run around the left end by Jaiden Barr, a hustling onside kick recovery by Kevin Magness, and a solo tackle by defensive end Bryce DeBorde to start the second half.

Ferris fielded one first time player while sixteen of the IYAA Bantam team’s twenty-one player roster had never played a game until Saturday. “We have a lot of kindergartners but they are good,” stated Italy’s quarterback Ty Cash, a first grader.

Minor (3rd & 4th) Game:
Head coached by Gary Wood, the IYAA Minors’ team had their hands full against a talented Ferris team as well. With quarterback Taron Smith leading the way and playmaker Ryder Itson highlighting Italy’s ground attack, the IYAA Minors came from behind twice to frustrate the Ferris Yellowjackets 24-14.

Christian Cole had a strong game on both sides of the ball and Jaylon Davis had two fumble recoveries to help the IYAA Minors post an 1-0 record.

Majors (5th & 6th) Game:
Head coached by Ken Norwood, the IYAA Majors’ team and the Ferris Yellow jackets were both stuck on zero until the second half. Italy eventually won the game 12-6 behind the toughness of Kenneth Norwood, Jr. and quarterback Tylan Wallace.

The offensive and defensive lines for Italy played a big role in this battle of the trenches including a solid performance by Aaron Pittmon on both sides of the ball, helping coach Norwood’s team begin their season 1-0.

IYAA Cheerleaders:
The IYAA Cheerleaders, all 35 of them, did an outstanding job cheering during the games as well. Cheer sponsors Andrea Hooker, Becky Boyd, Darla Wood, Robin Wafer and IHS Varsity Cheerleader Mary Tate had the girls in top form as they performed halftime dance routines with fans and players joining in on the fun. In the spirit of Homecoming, all the cheerleaders received gift bags and golden bells after the games. That’s a lot of bells!

IYAA Sports, “The winning tradition starts here.”