The IYAA C-Team Gladiators show grit on season’s biggest stage, the Superbowl!

Image: IYAA C-Team assistant coaches Shedric Walker and Michael Davis, along with waterboys Gary Escamilla and Tylan Wallace, look on as head coach Aaron Itson talks with his k-2nd grade players before their Superbowl game against Ferris.

IYAA C-Team assistant coaches Shedric Walker and Michael Davis, along with waterboys Gary Escamilla and Tylan Wallace, look on as head coach Aaron Itson talks with his k-2nd grade players before their Superbowl game against Ferris. (Barry Byers)

Image: Isaac Gray(30) and Taylor Sparks(84) intently listen to Coach Itson’s pre-Superbowl game speech.

Isaac Gray(30) and Taylor Sparks(84) intently listen to Coach Itson’s pre-Superbowl game speech. (Barry Byers)

Image: Whatever words of encouragement A-Team Gladiator, Gary Escamilla, said to John Hall, Jr. before the Superbowl game worked. Hall saved his best, for last.

Whatever words of encouragement A-Team Gladiator, Gary Escamilla, said to John Hall, Jr. before the Superbowl game worked. Hall saved his best, for last. (Barry Byers)

Image: IYAA C-Team captains were Laveranues Green(10), Julius Williams(88), Isaac Gray(30) and Byron Davis(99).

IYAA C-Team captains were Laveranues Green(10), Julius Williams(88), Isaac Gray(30) and Byron Davis(99). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy gets set for the Superbowl kickoff.

Italy gets set for the Superbowl kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy quarterback Laveranues Green(10) fights for extra yards against Ferris, in a game when every yard counts.

Italy quarterback Laveranues Green(10) fights for extra yards against Ferris, in a game when every yard counts. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Itson breaks the huddle with his troops.

Coach Itson breaks the huddle with his troops. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Yellow Jackets swarm Green on this play.

The Yellow Jackets swarm Green on this play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Look at that protection! Italy’s front line blockers had a strong performance against the powerful defensive line of Ferris allowing quarterback Laveranues Green time to scan the field for an open target.

Look at that protection! Italy’s front line blockers had a strong performance against the powerful defensive line of Ferris allowing quarterback Laveranues Green time to scan the field for an open target. (Barry Byers)

Image: Defensive end John Hall, Jr.(9) brings down the main weapon for Ferris recording a tackle for a 6-yard loss on the play. 

Defensive end John Hall, Jr.(9) brings down the main weapon for Ferris recording a tackle for a 6-yard loss on the play.  (Barry Byers)

Image: John Hall, Jr.(9) gets a block for Laveranues Green(10) who tries to cut inside a block by Jalyn Wallace(2).

John Hall, Jr.(9) gets a block for Laveranues Green(10) who tries to cut inside a block by Jalyn Wallace(2). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s quarterback Laveranues Green(10) breaks away from the swarm for 50-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Italy’s quarterback Laveranues Green(10) breaks away from the swarm for 50-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Darrin Jackson(80) fights thru a head slap to get the block.

Italy’s Darrin Jackson(80) fights thru a head slap to get the block. (Barry Byers)

Image: Plenty to be proud about! Byron Davis(99), Isaac Gray(30) and Julius Williams(88) celebrate their effort after the Suerbowl.

Plenty to be proud about! Byron Davis(99), Isaac Gray(30) and Julius Williams(88) celebrate their effort after the Suerbowl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Curtis Benson(61) has no shame in his game and is proud of his C-Team Gladiators who finished as the 2011 NESA Superbowl Runner-up.

Curtis Benson(61) has no shame in his game and is proud of his C-Team Gladiators who finished as the 2011 NESA Superbowl Runner-up. (Barry Byers)

Image: Assistant C-Team coach Micahel Davis is proud of his grandson Laveranues Green(10) who has helped lead Italy to back-to-back Superbowl appearances, scoring a touchdown in both games.

Assistant C-Team coach Micahel Davis is proud of his grandson Laveranues Green(10) who has helped lead Italy to back-to-back Superbowl appearances, scoring a touchdown in both games. (Barry Byers)

Image: Damorian Sargent(55) accepts his Superbowl runner-up trophy from his head coach, Aaron Itson.

Damorian Sargent(55) accepts his Superbowl runner-up trophy from his head coach, Aaron Itson. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fleet-footed Lane Shifflet(28) proudly accepts his Superbowl runner-up trophy from his head coach, Aaron Itson.

Fleet-footed Lane Shifflet(28) proudly accepts his Superbowl runner-up trophy from his head coach, Aaron Itson. (Barry Byers)

Image: IYAA C-Team cheerleader Taylor Souder is mesmerized by her Superbowl cheerleading trophy.

IYAA C-Team cheerleader Taylor Souder is mesmerized by her Superbowl cheerleading trophy. (Barry Byers)

Image: IYAA C-Team cheer coach Jessica Posey presents Jordan Posey with her Superbowl Runner-up trophy.

IYAA C-Team cheer coach Jessica Posey presents Jordan Posey with her Superbowl Runner-up trophy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Proud youngsters! The IYAA C-Team players and cheerleaders hold their Superbowl Runner-Up trophies high for all to see.

Proud youngsters! The IYAA C-Team players and cheerleaders hold their Superbowl Runner-Up trophies high for all to see. (Barry Byers)

Image: IYAA C-Team Gladiator Byron Davis(99) poses with his mother, Myesha Stanford, as the two display Byron’s Superbowl Runner-up trophy. Byron didn’t allow his little sister, Mariah, to be in this picture.

IYAA C-Team Gladiator Byron Davis(99) poses with his mother, Myesha Stanford, as the two display Byron’s Superbowl Runner-up trophy. Byron didn’t allow his little sister, Mariah, to be in this picture. (Barry Byers)

Image: Proud family! John Hall, Sr. and his wife, Latoya, pose with their children, John Hall, Jr. and daughter Jaliyah.

Proud family! John Hall, Sr. and his wife, Latoya, pose with their children, John Hall, Jr. and daughter Jaliyah. (Barry Byers)

Image: On the shoulders of his parents Rosanna and Bobby Wooldridge, Italy C-Team Gladiator #5 Damien Wooldridge (Pre-K) expresses how we all felt after the Superbowl game. Although, Ferris won in the end 21-6, It was a great day for IYAA Football and Chearleading.

On the shoulders of his parents Rosanna and Bobby Wooldridge, Italy C-Team Gladiator #5 Damien Wooldridge (Pre-K) expresses how we all felt after the Superbowl game. Although, Ferris won in the end 21-6, It was a great day for IYAA Football and Chearleading. (Barry Byers)

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