IYAA gets the trifecta against Dawson, Gladiators win all three

Barry Byers Posted October 12, 2010 8:30pm IYAA Football

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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Preston gets the first — Preston Rasco(13) drags a Dawson Bulldog player past the first down marker which is being held by Cody Boyd who plays for the Italy Junior High team. (Michele Cash)

Bryce rumbles — Bryce DeBorde(44) breaks into the open field during the Bantam game. DeBorde later added a touchdown in the contest. (Michele Cash)

Yay, IYAA! — Madie Chambers cheers on the IYAA Bantam boys team. (Michele Cash)

Rasco in the pocket — Ty Cash(61), Jalyn Wallace(2), Taylor Sparks(1) and Brennon Boyd(31) create a passing pocket for quarterback Preston Rasco(13) who fires a bullet pass to Laveraneus Green. Rasco completed two passes to Green with one good for a touchdown. (Michele Cash)

Ty tackled — Ty Cash gets tackled after gaining yards against the Bulldog defense during the Bantam game. (Michele Cash)

Bantam wins on final play — With Dawson needing to run in an extra point to tie or pass for the win, the IYAA Bantam’s defense charges into the Bulldog backfield and noseguard Rocklin Ginnett recovers the resulting fumble to preserve the win for Italy. (Michele Cash)

Slick kick — Ryder Itson(10) kicks off to Dawson to start the Minors (3rd & 4th) game while teammate Taron Smith(10) tracks the ball. (Michele Cash)

Ball flips out — Jasean Brooks(11) causes the Bulldog runner to loose the handle on the ball. (Michele Cash)

After the ball — IYAA Minors players scramble after a live ball. (Michele Cash)

Garrett gashes defense — Garrett Cash(28) breaks tackles down Italy’s sideline for a big gain against Dawson. Cash also scored on an extra point conversion run for the IYAA Minors team. (Michele Cash)

Lineman’s dream — With the game well in hand, head coach Gary Wood inserts an offensive lineman, Donald Hayes, into the backfield to show he can run with the dogs. (Michele Cash)

We are #1 — Ryder Itson(6) and Jalon Davis(4) celebrate a fumble recovery with their Minor teammates. (Michele Cash)

Majors take the field — The IYAA Major Cheerleaders shake their pom-poms as the Majors (5th & 6th) team charges down spirit alley and onto Willis Field. (Michele Cash)

Kendrick kicks — Kendrick Norwood(1) kicks off to the Bulldogs. (Michele Cash)

Big-time blocking! — The Majors offensive line attacks the Bulldog defense and leads their team to a 27-0 victory over Dawson. (Michele Cash)

Tylan down sideline — Majors quarterback Tylan Wallace(2) breaks downfield leaving Dawson defenders in the dust. (Michele Cash)

Kenneth kicks — Ken Norwood kicks off after a Majors touchdown. (Michele Cash)

Gladiators’ ball! — Italy recovers an onside kick during the IYAA Majors game against Dawson on Saturday. (Michele Cash)

Norwood can — Kendrick Norwood(1) keeps churning his legs with Bulldogs biting at his heels. (Michele Cash)

Mark offers congrats — Majors coach Mark Souder offers congratulations to one of his lineman. (Michele Cash)

2-to-1 — Tylan Wallace(2) passes downfield to Kendrick Norwwod(1). (Michele Cash)

Sideline fun — IYAA Cheerleaders Quintera Washington and Brooke DeBorde have a blast cheering during the games as Italy A, B, C-Teams win all three on Saturday. (Michele Cash)

Julius celebrates birthday — Julius Williams(33) celebrates his 7th birthday party with family and teammates after his Bantam team beat Dawson 19-18. Julius’s mother, Jennifer Johnson cuts the cake. (Barry Byers)