IYAA gets the trifecta against Dawson, Gladiators win all three

Image: IYAAs Majors (5th-6th) get a major win over the Dawson Bulldogs — The IYAA Majors offense celebrates a touchdown against the Dawson Bulldogs. The Majors won the contest 27-0 and improve their record to 2-1.

IYAAs Majors (5th-6th) get a major win over the Dawson Bulldogs — The IYAA Majors offense celebrates a touchdown against the Dawson Bulldogs. The Majors won the contest 27-0 and improve their record to 2-1. (Michele Cash)

IYAA Bantam (K-2nd) vs. Dawson:
The IYAA Bantam (K-2nd) team gets their second win in a row by defeating the Dawson Bulldogs 19-18 on Saturday at Willis Field in Italy.

Preston Rasco opened with a bomb to Laveraneus Green to score Italy’s first touchdown and later completed a second pass to Green. Splitting time with Rasco at quarterback, Ty Cash took the majority of snaps as he guided the young Gladiators offense for two more scores. Touchdown runs by Jaiden Barr and Bryce DeBorde gave the Bantam’s a 19-12 lead before a long scoring run by Dawson tightened the deficit in the last seconds.

On the games final play, Dawson needed an extra point run to tie or pass for the win. Italy’s defensive front charged thru the gaps and noseguard Rocklin Ginnett sacked the Bulldog quarterback. Ginnett recovered the resulting fumble to preserve the win for Italy to improve the Bantam’s record to 2-2. The Bantam’s are now in a two-way tie for 3rd Place with Blooming Grove.

IYAA Minors (3rd & 4th) vs. Dawson:
Italy already had the game in hand by the end of the first quarter in this one. Offensive touchdowns by Taron Smith, Ricky Pendleton, Ryder Itson and Christian Cole sealed Dawson fate. Smith caused the Bulldogs to fumble and scooped up the ball and galloped 85-yards for a Minors’ defensive touchdown to help put the game away.

In an effort to slow the Gladiators’ scoring pace down, Head coach Gary Wood began inserting backup running backs and offensive linemen into the backfield to give everyone experience running the ball.

Both effective and entertaining, the IYAA Minors team eventually beat the Dawson Bulldogs 33-0 and improve their record to 4-0 and stand atop their division as the only undefeated team.

IYAA Majors (5th & 6th) vs. Dawson:
Getting the push up front from the twin towers of power, brothers Austin and Aaron Pittmon, left guard Adrian Acevedo, center Austin Lowe and right guard Kenneth Norwood, Jr., the IYAA Majors team muscled their way to a 27-0 victory over the Dawson Bulldogs.

Quarterback Tylan Wallace was able to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers including Chasston King, Kendrick Norwood, Jarvis Harris and Gary Escamilla.

Defensively, the IYAA Majors posted their first shutout of the season and are currently in a two-way tie with Ferris for 4th Place in their A-Team division with 2-1 records. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams in each division qualify for the playoffs.

The IYAA will play in Italy again next Saturday, October 16, in their final home games of the season. Everyone is invited to Willis Field for a chance to see these young superstars in action. The Bantam team will kickoff the day against the Rice Bulldogs at 9:00 a.m., the Minors will start play at 10:00 a.m. and the Majors will follow at 11:30 a.m.

Special thanks to the concession stand volunteers and to the parents who provide snacks for the teams. Also, a special thanks to our chain and cleanup crews and to the Italy ISD for allowing the IYAA use of the high school facilities.

Also, congratulations to Sandra & Ken Norwood who were selected as the IYAA Volunteers of the Year during the IYAA Day celebration at Italy City Hall on Monday. October 14 is officially IYAA Day in Italy by proclamation of Mayor Frank Jackson. Tina Haight received the IYAA Citizen of the Year plaque for all her support for the kids throughout the year.

Navarro Ellis Sports Association – www.nesayouth.com

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Photos by: Michele Cash of TLC Photography
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