IYAA Gladiators give their all in playoff round, A-Team advances to Superbowl

Image: IYAA C-team coach Mark Souder, Jr., tells a top secret play to his backfield during their playoff game against Blooming Grove.

IYAA C-team coach Mark Souder, Jr., tells a top secret play to his backfield during their playoff game against Blooming Grove. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Hall(9) takes the shotgun snap from Taylor Sparks(84) and then searches for running room behind Jordan Clamon(80), Kevin Magness(88), Jaylon Wallace(2) and Dustyn Duke(4). Hall scored on the conversion run to put the IYAA C-team up 7-0 in the first-quarter.

John Hall(9) takes the shotgun snap from Taylor Sparks(84) and then searches for running room behind Jordan Clamon(80), Kevin Magness(88), Jaylon Wallace(2) and Dustyn Duke(4). Hall scored on the conversion run to put the IYAA C-team up 7-0 in the first-quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gabe Martinez(67), Bryce Ballard(98), Damien Wooldridge(5) and Kevin Magness(88) converge on a Blooming Grove runner.

Gabe Martinez(67), Bryce Ballard(98), Damien Wooldridge(5) and Kevin Magness(88) converge on a Blooming Grove runner. (Shane Long)

Image: John Hall(9) attempts a pass against the Lions.

John Hall(9) attempts a pass against the Lions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Jaylon Wallace(2) and Gabe Martinez(67) bring down the Lion’s quarterback.

Italy’s Jaylon Wallace(2) and Gabe Martinez(67) bring down the Lion’s quarterback. (Shane Long)

Image: The C-team Gladiators finish as conference championship finalists after losing to Blooming Grove 12-7 in the game’s final minutes. The coaches and players huddle one last time vowing to return to the playoff’s next season.

The C-team Gladiators finish as conference championship finalists after losing to Blooming Grove 12-7 in the game’s final minutes. The coaches and players huddle one last time vowing to return to the playoff’s next season. (Barry Byers)

Image: C-team coach Mark Souder, Jr., his wife Melissa and their cheerleading daughters, Mayson and Taylor.

C-team coach Mark Souder, Jr., his wife Melissa and their cheerleading daughters, Mayson and Taylor. (Barry Byers)

Image: A-team Gladiators Jonathan Sals(82) and Cade Brewer(21) block for Ryder Itson(2) who covers 42-yards for the first touchdown of their playoff game against Hubbard.

A-team Gladiators Jonathan Sals(82) and Cade Brewer(21) block for Ryder Itson(2) who covers 42-yards for the first touchdown of their playoff game against Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: A-team Gladiator Cade Brewer(21) dives in for the point-after to give Italy a 7-0 lead against Hubbard.

A-team Gladiator Cade Brewer(21) dives in for the point-after to give Italy a 7-0 lead against Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: The A-team Gladiator defense tracked the Jaguar quarterback all game long.

The A-team Gladiator defense tracked the Jaguar quarterback all game long. (Barry Byers)

Image: The A-team Gladiators enjoying their lead during the playoff game against Hubbard.

The A-team Gladiators enjoying their lead during the playoff game against Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: A-team Gladiator Jonathan Salas(82) takes the handoff from Ryder Itson(2) and follows Cade Brewer(21), Alex Garcia(50) and Adam Powell(75) toward the end zone.

A-team Gladiator Jonathan Salas(82) takes the handoff from Ryder Itson(2) and follows Cade Brewer(21), Alex Garcia(50) and Adam Powell(75) toward the end zone. (Barry Byers)

Image: On a quarterback sneak, Ryder Itson(2) keeps his knees off the ground while crossing the goal line to put Italy up 14-0.

On a quarterback sneak, Ryder Itson(2) keeps his knees off the ground while crossing the goal line to put Italy up 14-0. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cade Brewer(21) leads the way for quarterback Ryder Itson(2) against Hubbard.

Cade Brewer(21) leads the way for quarterback Ryder Itson(2) against Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: A-team Gladiator, Garrett Cash(28) checks with the sideline official for proper alignment before the snap.

A-team Gladiator, Garrett Cash(28) checks with the sideline official for proper alignment before the snap. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy goes up 20-0 against Hubbard when Garrett Cash(28) catches a pass from teammate Ryder Itson(28) and then rushes into the end zone for an A-team Gladiator touchdown.

Italy goes up 20-0 against Hubbard when Garrett Cash(28) catches a pass from teammate Ryder Itson(28) and then rushes into the end zone for an A-team Gladiator touchdown. (Barry Byers)

Image: Michael Gonzalez(12) snaps to holder Ryder Itson(2) as Jonathan Salas(82) kicks in the extra-point to give the IYAA A-team a 21-0 advantage in their playoff game against Hubbard.

Michael Gonzalez(12) snaps to holder Ryder Itson(2) as Jonathan Salas(82) kicks in the extra-point to give the IYAA A-team a 21-0 advantage in their playoff game against Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: A-team head coach, Aaron Itson rushes onto the field to congratulate his team as Jonathan Salas(82) leaps into his coach’s arms in celebration of a successful point-after kick by Salas.

A-team head coach, Aaron Itson rushes onto the field to congratulate his team as Jonathan Salas(82) leaps into his coach’s arms in celebration of a successful point-after kick by Salas. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Aedan Brewer(22) pushes a Jaguar away allowing teammate Ryder Itson(2) to recover Italy’s kickoff in the fourth-quarter.

Italy’s Aedan Brewer(22) pushes a Jaguar away allowing teammate Ryder Itson(2) to recover Italy’s kickoff in the fourth-quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cade Brewer(21) is finally captured by the Jag’s defense after a long run to help seal the deal. The IYAA A-team wins the conference championship and advances to the NEH Superbowl being hosted in Italy.

Cade Brewer(21) is finally captured by the Jag’s defense after a long run to help seal the deal. The IYAA A-team wins the conference championship and advances to the NEH Superbowl being hosted in Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: The IYAA A-team cheerleaders compete in a cheer competition during halftime by performing a cheer and then doing a dance routine.

The IYAA A-team cheerleaders compete in a cheer competition during halftime by performing a cheer and then doing a dance routine. (Barry Byers)

Image: Wow! IYAA A-team cheerleader Sha’Niaya Johnson helps lift her squad into the NEH Superbowl cheer competition.

Wow! IYAA A-team cheerleader Sha’Niaya Johnson helps lift her squad into the NEH Superbowl cheer competition. (Barry Byers)

Image: A spirited Madelyn Chambers helps leap the IYAA A-team cheerleaders into the NEH Superbowl cheer competition.

A spirited Madelyn Chambers helps leap the IYAA A-team cheerleaders into the NEH Superbowl cheer competition. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheer coach Becky Boyd is proud of her cheerleaders consisting of Sha’Niaya Johnson, Hannah Carr, Taylor Boyd, Courtney Riddle and Madelyn Chambers. We are proud of you!

Cheer coach Becky Boyd is proud of her cheerleaders consisting of Sha’Niaya Johnson, Hannah Carr, Taylor Boyd, Courtney Riddle and Madelyn Chambers. We are proud of you! (Barry Byers)

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