IYAA Football and Cheer wins 2-of-3 over Mildred during first home games
IYAA C-team Gladiators Kace McDaniel(3), Ramzi Holt(33), “Lucky” Johnson(7) and Elijah Davis(18) storm Willis Field to take on the Mildred Eagles. (Barry Byers)
IYAA C-team (Pre-K thru 2nd) vs. Mildred:
The IYAA C-team trailed 13-12 at halftime to the visiting Mildred Eagles but took control of the game in the second-half with their hard-hitting defense. Linebackers Gared Wood and Curtis Benson began filling the running holes with fury as defensive ends Damien Wooldridge and Ramzi Holt, along with cornerbacks Jayden Hernandez and Elijah Davis kept the Eagles turning it up inside.
Koda Harris, Ryland Cagle, Gavin Vasquez, J.C. Smith, Kace McDaniel and Grant Morgan were strong on the defensive front for the Gladiators. Offensively, Benson and Lucky Mayberry added two touchdowns in the second-half to give Italy a 26-13 victory. C-Team improves to 2-1 on the season.
IYAA B-team (3rd thru 4th) vs. Mildred:
Getting their first win of the season in shutout fashion was the IYAA B-team who demolished the Mildred Eagles 22-0. Quarterback Jaylon Wallace and tailback John Hall, Jr., led Italy’s offensive attack while the defense remained stubborn throughout. Taylor Sparks and Bryce Ballard anchored Italy’s defensive front. The IYAA B-team improves to 1-2 on the season.
IYAA A-team (5th thru 6th) vs. Mildred:
After coming off a 14-6 win over the Palmer Bulldogs, the IYAA A-team took an early 6-0 lead over Mildred with Julius Williams running in for the touchdown. Ty Cash and Bryce DeBorde also managed a couple of good runs in the contest but the Italy defense struggled to slow down Mildred’s powerful running attack.
Williams and Cash combined for a tackle that nearly resulted in a safety for the Gladiators but the ball was spotted on the 1-yard line. Jayden Barr had a couple of solid tackles late, even slamming an Eagle runner to the ground on one play, but Mildred just kept coming.
Italy quarterback Creighton Hyles connected on a couple of passes early to Kort Holley and Reece Janek but Italy’s offense struggled with consistency. Mildred took advantage and outlasted Italy for a 26-6 win. The IYAA A-team’s season record is now 1-2.
All three IYAA Gladiator teams return to action this coming Saturday as they celebrate their homecoming in a triple-header against visiting Itasca. We would love to see former IYAA players and all our fans at the games! The C-team game will kickoff the action at 9:00 a.m.
The Homecoming Parade is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. followed by a downtown pep rally. Floats should gather at Italy High School around 1:30 p.m.