The 28 players of the Italy Jr. High football team stampeded thru the banner held by IHS alumni, Jasenio Anderson and John Isaac, and onto Willis Field to take on the Red Oak Life Mustangs on Thursday. Both sides were stubborn as a mule in the opening quarter with both teams trading interceptions including a pick by Italy’s Levi McBride.

Among Italy’s stable of running backs, Jaray Anderson remained the lead horse while Cameron Carter, Joe Celis and quarterback Ryan Connor saw touches as well. It was the Mustangs who leaped over the goal line first, however, and took a 6-0 lead past the half way mark of the first quarter.

Anderson would later gallop 25-yards for the game tying touchdown to make the score 6-6 with 0:04 left on the first quarter clock. Connor’s conversion keeper was stopped short as the game entered the second quarter of play, still tied 6-6.

Italy held the Mustangs on their beginning possession of the first quarter. Offensive play caller, Coach Aidan Callahan, called for a reverse run to Carter that earned 19-yards to ROLs twenty-nine. Anderson then ran around the right side into open grass down to the 13-yard line.

Italy offensive sequence unravelled from there after a penalty helped push the home team back to the ROL 25-yard line. In an effort to make up the ground lost, Connor went to the air but a Mustang interception and return resulted in a ROL first down at Italy’s 40-yard line after Anderson made a touchdown saving tackle.

The Mustangs tried to capitalize on the momentum swing with a long touchdown pass. The play was nullified due to a Mustang penalty but the following running play gave ROL a first down at Italy’s 27-yard line with 0:05 left to play in the first half. The Mustangs are unable to score before the clock runs out on the half and both teams must settle on a 6-6 tie at the break.

Despite consecutive defensive tackles by Anderson early in the third quarter, ROL breaks a first down run to Italy’s 5-yard line with 4:47 showing on he clock. Three plays later, Connor records a sack to force the Mustangs backwards, fourth and nine from the five. A bad snap on the ensuing play causes the Mustang’s to turn the ball over on downs at Italy’s 20-yard line, 3:45 left in the third.

Italy’s luck is not much better and a couple of high snaps result in a safety for the Mustang’s with just 2:52 to play in the contest. Italy has the option to kickoff or punt from their own twenty and Anderson punts it away. The Mustang’s break free down their sideline but Carter keeps ROL from reaching the endzone. The Mustang’s have a first down at Italy’s 25-yard line but Carl “Skittles” Jaynes, Adrian Acevedo and linebacker Devon Bowles help keep the Mustang’s from adding to their lead as the game comes to an end.

Go IJH!