IYAA Gladiators compete in two Super Bowls, C-Team (Pre-K thru 2nd) wins it all!

Barry Byers Posted December 3, 2014 6:30pm IYAA Football

Image: The IYAA C-team Gladiators charge out of their tunnel to begin the 2014 NEH Superbowl with Gared Wood(4) and Damian Wooldridge(5) leading the way with flags held high. — The IYAA C-team Gladiators charge out of their tunnel to begin the 2014 NEH Superbowl with Gared Wood(4) and Damian Wooldridge(5) leading the way with flags held high. (Barry Byers)

IYAA C-team Gladiators on Superbowl Saturday:
Palmer — What a chariot ride as the IYAA C-Team Gladiators (Pre-K thru 2nd) established themselves as a contender early and eventually wound up in a three-way tie for 1st place within their division, along with the Palmer and Mildred Eagles.

In Week 2, the C-Team Gladiators lost 14-12 to the Palmer Bulldogs on the enemy’s home field. After moving past Rice and Mildred in the playoffs, the C-Team Gladiators charged into the Superbowl for a rematch with Palmer, again on Palmer’s home field. Our boys in gold stormed out of the Keith Davis/Italy Gladiator tunnel on a brisk Saturday morning with flags in hand and one last challenge to conquer.

Despite six lead changes, the C-team Gladiators and their big play ability on offense proved equally effective against the three-yards and a cloud of dust offensive attack by the Bulldogs. Quarterback Gared Wood totaled 3 offensive touchdowns and running back Curtis Benson added 1 rushing touchdown.

Strong side end Damian Wooldridge helped lead Italy’s defensive attack with help from backside end Ramzi Holt. Wood and Benson flowed from their linebacker positions while backing up Italy’s defensive front of Grant Morgan, Gavin Vasquez, Kace McDaniel and Ryland Cagle, who were in a dog fight all game against the straight ahead Bulldogs.

Elijah Davis and Jayden Hernandez contained the edges while safety Cory “Lucky” Johnson helped bog down the middle running lanes Palmer was searching for. After surviving running out on the field to start the Superbowl while carrying an Italy flag waving at the end of a stick three-times taller than him, Italy’s Pre-K player J.C. Smith also pitched in on special teams and on the offensive line.

Wood also ran back 2 kick returns for touchdowns, one in each half, separating the C-team Gladiators from Palmer on the scoreboard. Wood also recovered an onside kick attempt by Italy late in the contest with teammate Benson kicking a hard-to-handle dagger into the heart of the Palmer return team.

In the end, the C-Team Gladiators defeated Palmer 36-25 to win the 2014 NEH Superbowl 36-25!

IYAA C-team Gladiators 2014 NEH Superbowl Champions:

#1 Curtis Benson
#20 Ryland Cagle
#18 Elijah Davis
#2 Koda Harris,
#9 Jayden Hernandez
#33 Ramzi Holt
#7 Cory “Lucky” Johnson
#3 Kace McDaniel
#6 Grant Morgan
#10 J.C. Smith
#56 Gavin Vasquez
#4 Gared Wood
#5 Damian Wooldridge

Coaches:

Jasenio Anderson (Head coach)
Gary Wood
Shedric Walker
Andre Speed
Barry Byers

Cheerleaders:

Mikyia Adams
Cheyenne Caudle,
Lilyana Hugghins
Shay Johnson
Sorienna Maynard,
Donna Moffeit
Charlea Padilla
Mayson Souder
Jordynn Wiser

Cheer Coach:

Lindy Wooldridge

IYAA B-Team Gladiators on Superbowl Saturday:
After finishing the regular season with a 2-4 record, the IYAA B-team Gladiators were a long-shot to win a playoff game, much less reach the Superbowl. After all, Italy’s B-team had exactly 11 players. No subs. No breaks. No injuries.

The B-team Gladiators began the playoffs as a 6th seed, the very bottom of the bracket. By the time the dust had settled, however, the B-Team Gladiators managed two playoff wins and had climbed to the top of the bracket for final matchup with the Blooming Grove Lions.

In the Superbowl, Blooming Grove’s kitchen sink right and kitchen sink left running attack overwhelmed Italy’s defenses. Despite the constant barrage of blue, the B-Team Gladiators were hanging in there after a second touchdown run by John Hall, Jr. helped make the score 21-14 before halftime with the Lions still in front by 7.

The B-Team Gladiators began to wear down from there, despite a couple of crafty sideline tackles by Jaylon Wallace and fellow cornerback Chance Shaffer and with a stubborn Gladiator defensive middle anchored by noseguard Bryce Ballard, with help from tackles Wyatt Ryan, Taylor Sparks and Jordan Clamon.

Gabe Martinez, Willie Talton, Preston Walker and Christopher Adams were also giving it their all on the defensive side of the ball but the Lions seemed to be running downhill all game while Italy’s offensive side of the ball seemed to be more of an uphill struggle.

The Lions continued to pull away but to Italy’s credit, the B-team Gladiators continued to fight the good fight until the very end. Blooming Grove eventually won 34-14 with the B-team Gladiators finishing their post-season campaign as the 2014 NEH Superbowl Runners-Up! An amazing accomplishment for a last seeded underdog with only 11 players!!

IYAA B-team Gladiators 2014 NEH Superbowl Runners-Up:

#1 Christopher Adams
#30 Bryce Ballard
#80 Jordan Clamon
#9 John Hall, Jr.
#5 Gabe Martinez
#89 Wyatt Ryan
#6 Chance Shaffer
#3 Taylor Sparks
#36 Willie Talton
#4 Preston Walker
#2 Jaylon Wallace

Coaches:

Mark Souder (Head coach)
John Hall, Sr.
Brian Anderson
Daniel Ballard
Jermaine Jackson

Cheerleaders:

Annaliese Almanza
Sarah Cumpton
Gabi Haake
Sicily Johnson
Hannah Krusen
Hannah Pajak
Taylor Souder
Jada Williams

Cheer Coach:

Alyssa Compton

IYAA A-team Gladiators Playoff Results:
The IYAA A-team Gladiators (5th – 6th) won their first round playoff game 6-0 over Palmer with a late bomb from quarterback Creighton Hyles to wide receiver Kort Holley to help their squad reach the final four of the playoff bracket. The A-team Gladiators were halted in their semi-final matchup, falling just one win short of reaching the Superbowl themselves.

After not having a team in this age group during the previous 2013 season, the A-team Gladiators and their coaching staff were in overdrive trying to make up for lost time. It was both interesting and exciting to watch the A-team continue to improve over the course of the season.

IYAA A-team Gladiators Playoff Roster:

Jaiden Barr
Rance Beets
Aiden Brewer
Ty Cash
Andrew Celis
Anthony Chambers
Bryce DeBorde
Christian Garza
Bryant Haake
Kort Holley
Creighton Hyles
Chase Hyles
Darrin Jackson
Reese Janek
Benjamin Stevens
Sam Stevens
Jacob Strickland
Julius Williams

Coaches:

Charles Hyles (Head coach)
Carl Cash
Kyle Holley
Eric Haake
Cory Johnson

Cheerleaders:

Renee Brewer
Brianna Hall
Jaliyah Hall
Karley Sigler
Brooklyn Steinmetz
Alyssa Wiser
Kinsie Whatley

Cheer Coach:

Rachel Hall

IYAA Sports, The winning tradition starts here."

While most kids his age might be at home watching Saturday morning cartoons, Italy’s Ryland Cagle(20) prepares for something a bit more impactful as he gears up for a shot at winning the Superbowl. (Barry Byers)

The IYAA C-Team Gladiators lineup for the ceremonial coin toss prior to the Superbowl kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Arm in arm, IYAA C-Team Gladiator 2nd grade captains Gared Wood(4), Curtis Benson(1), Damian Wooldridge(5) and Cory “Lucky” Johnson, Jr.(7) head out to midfield to greet the Palmer Bulldog captains. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Gared Wood(4) returns the opening Superbowl kickoff all the way back for a touchdown after blocks by Curtis Benson(1), Jayden Hernandez(9) and J.C. Smith spring Wood loose around the edge. (Barry Byers)

Offensive coordinator Gary Wood huddles with his all-star backfield of Curtis Benson(1), Damian Wooldridge(5), Cory Johnson, Jr. and Gared Wood(4). (Tony Wooldridge)

Offensive line coach Barry Byers talks assignments with Ryland Cagle(20), Elijah Davis(18), center Ramzi Holt(33), Grant Morgan(6), Gavin Vazquez(56) and Jayden Hernandez(9). (Tony Wooldridge)

Lily Hugghins uses her cheer coach, and mom, Kia Hugghins as a windbreaker in hopes of staying warm on a such a brisk morning. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Curtis Benson(1) crosses the goal line to put Italy up 12-7 in the first-half. (Tony Wooldridge)

C-Team head coach Jasenio Anderson thinks his defense has held on fourth and short as Curtis Benson(1), Ryland Cagle(20), Cory Johnson, Jr.(7) and Damian Wooldridge(5) force the Bulldogs backwards. (Tony Wooldridge)

Game managers Bryce DeBorde, Julius Williams and Barry Grant rush the field to celebrate with the C-team players after Italy’s Pre-K thru 2nd Grade Gladiators won the Superbowl. (Tony Wooldridge)

Gared Wood(4) gets a heroes shoulder ride from dad and coach Gary Wood after Italy defeated Palmer in the Superbowl. Gared Wood accounted for 5 of Italy’s 6 touchdowns including 2 kickoffs returned for scores, 1 in each half. (Tony Wooldridge)

Former NFL great Keith Davis celebrates with David Holt, Ramzi Holt(33), Elijah Davis(18), Barry Grant and Gavin Vasquez(56) after Italy’s 36-25 Superbowl win over the Palmer Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)

IYAA President Charles Hyles presents the 2014 NEH Superbowl Trophy to C-Team Gladiator head coach Jasenio Anderson as the team receives a thunderous ovation for their efforts. (Tony Wooldridge)

B-Team Gladiator offensive linemen Taylor Sparks(3), Bryce Ballard(30) and center Preston Walker give quarterback Jaylon Wallace(2) time in the pocket during Italy’s second Superbowl appearance of the day. (Barry Byers)

IYAA B-Team Gladiator Chance Shaffer(6) takes a reverse handoff in the backfield and then turns upfield looking for the endzone. (Barry Byers)

IYAA B-Team cheerleader Mayson Souder tries to give her Gladiator a leg up in the Superbowl over the Blooming Grove Lions (Barry Byers)

IYAA B-Team Gladiators Jaylon Wallace(2) and Gabe Martinez(5) team up to bring down Blooming Grove’s main weapon. (Barry Byers)

IYAA B-Team tailback John Hall, Jr.(9) gets the edge thanks to one last push from offensive lineman Jordan Clamon(80). (Barry Byers)

John Hall, Jr.(9) scores before the end of the first-half to keep his IYAA B-team Gladiators within striking distance of Blooming Grove, 21-14 at the break. (Barry Byers)

Jaylon Wallace(2) rolls out to pass for the IYAA B-Team Gladiators on Superbowl Saturday against Blooming Grove. (Barry Byers)

B-team Gladiator defenders Chance Shaffer(6), Gabe Martinez(5), Taylor Sparks(3) and Preston Walker(4) converge on Blooming Grove’s top Lion. (Barry Byers)

IYAA President Charles Hyles presents B-Team Coach Mark Souder, his coaching staff and his 11 total players with the 2014 NEH Superbowl Runner-Up trophy. What an accomplishment!!! (Barry Byers)

Gladiator Proud and 11 Strong — IYAA B-team Gladiator head coach Mark Souder holds up the Superbowl trophy during a team photo. Pictured along the back row (L-R) are coaches John Hall, Sr., Brian Anderson, Mark Souder, Jermaine Jackson, and Daniel Ballard. Middle row (L-R) Willie Talton(36), Taylor Sparks(3), Wyatt Ryan(89), John Hall, Jr.(9), Gabe Martinez(5) and Bryce Ballard(30). Front row (L-R) Jaylon Wallace(2), Preston Walker(4), Christopher Adams(1), Jordan Clamon(80) and Chance Shaffer(6). (Barry Byers)