The IYAA C-team Gladiators were the only squad representing the Italy Youth Athletic Association in Dawson this past Saturday with Italy’s A & B-Teams receiving byes. Head coach, Aaron Itson, had to streamline his lineup with Dawson having only 9 players on their team but still wanting to play. Also, no referees were assigned to the game so Dawson coaches handled the refereeing chores.

Despite the pre-game obstacles, quarterback Laveranues Green broke for a 45-yard touchdown run to give Italy a 6-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Green would later add another touchdown in the second-quarter allowing Italy to enjoy a 12-0 advantage at halftime.

Dawson stole the momentum by returning the second half kickoff all the way for a touchdown to tighten the score 12-6. A successful conversion run made the score 12-7 with Italy still in control.

Needing a lift, and with third-year veteran tight-end, Dustyn Rose, and offensive linemen Bryce Ballard, Gabe Martinez, Byron Davis, Taylor Sparks, Isaac Gray and wingback John Hall, Jr. blocking hard at the point of attack, Coach Itson called Darrin Jackson’s number and the pint-sized speedster raced 55-yards for another Italy touchdown, giving the C-team Gladiators an 18-6 lead.

Rodney Williams added one last touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal the win with Julius Williams running over a Bulldog tackler for the conversion. The IYAA C-team Gladiators get the win over Dawson 25-7 and finish the regular season with a 6-2 record and in 2nd place within their division.

The IYAA C-team will play their playoff game in the afternoon at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, in Italy versus the Scurry Wildcats (Flip-flopping with Ferris and Blooming Grove who asked for the morning time slot).

Playoff information:

The 2011 NESA Playoffs will be hosted by the IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) on Saturday, November 12, at Willis Field in Italy. There will be 6 games played in total with the first game, between the Ferris and Blooming Grove C-teams, kicking off the post-season at 9:00 a.m.

The 2011 NESA Superbowl will be held in Scurry on Saturday, November 19. Good luck to all the players, coaches and cheerleaders doing your quests to be Superbowl Champions!

Playoff game location:
Italy High School
300 College Street,
Italy, Texas 76651

PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

C-team (K-2nd) morning playoff game:

• 9:00 a.m. — Ferris (1 seed) Vs. Blooming Grove (4 seed)
  
  

B-team (3rd & 4th ) morning playoff game:

• 10:00 a.m. — Palmer (2 seed) Vs. Rice (3 seed)
  
  

A-team (5th & 6th) morning playoff game:

• 11:30 a.m. — Italy A-team (2 seed) Vs. Ferris (3 seed)
  
  
  
  

C-team afternoon playoff game:

• 1:00 p.m. — Italy C-team (2 seed)  Vs. Scurry (3 seed)
  
  

B-team afternoon playoff game:

• 2:00 p.m. — Ferris (1 seed) Vs. Italy B-team (4 seed)
  
  

A-team afternoon playoff game:

• 3:30 p.m. — Mildred (1 seed) Vs. Rice (4 seed)
  
  

IYAA Sports, "The winning tradition starts here.