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

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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: The IYAA C-Team Gladiators lineup for the ceremonial coin toss prior to the Superbowl kickoff.

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

Image: 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.

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)

Image: 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.

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)

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

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)

Image: 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).

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)

Image: Lily Hugghins uses her cheer coach, and mom, Kia Hugghins as a windbreaker in hopes of staying warm on a such a brisk morning.

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)

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

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

Image: 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.

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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: 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.

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)

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

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

Image: IYAA B-Team cheerleader Mayson Souder tries to give her Gladiator a leg up in the Superbowl over the Blooming Grove Lions

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

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

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

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

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

Image: 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.

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)

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

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

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

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)

Image: 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!!!

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)

Image: 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).

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)

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