Italy Gladiator Football boasts two of their own to compete in the North American All Stars 5th Annual 2015 North Texas Bowl All-Star football game DFW East vs. West Classic.

Offensive/Defensive Tackle John Byers and Running Back/Linebacker Coby Jeffords will represent Italy on Saturday, June 13, at Pennington Field in Bedford.

The North Texas Bowl roster was compiled from all-district senior student-athletes with 80 DFW high schools being represented.

Byers was in the stands this past summer watching his cousin Zain Byers (‘14) and former teammate Shad Newman (’14) participate in the the 4th installment of the bowl game which needed an overtime period to determine the winner. Now John Byers will get his chance to shine as an all-star after being a 270 pound wall at offensive right tackle, recording 10 pancake blocks in a game against Blooming Grove.

Perhaps the biggest defensive play for John Byers this past season was when he scooped up a Frost fumble and rumbled 15 yards to the Polar Bear 24 yard line in the first-quarter of Italy’s district opener against Frost.

Jeffords returned to Italy High School in 2013 to play out his final two seasons of football as a Gladiator, helping to lead Italy to an undefeated district championship and into the playoffs as a junior. Jeffords was Italy’s top offensive weapon out of the backfield with 920 yards rushing on 123 carries (7.5 yard average) and 15 touchdowns over 10 games. Jeffords also had 6 receptions for 61 receiving yards and 1 receiving TD.

Jeffords made a statement early, as well, this past season when he carried the ball 22 times for 256 yards and 5 touchdowns during Italy’s district opener against Frost.

For the season, Jeffords totaled 35 tackles and 20 assists on defense along with 1 sack, 3 QB hurries, 4 tackles for loss and 2 deflected passes.

Gladiators Selected to play in The North Texas Bowl since its conception in 2011:

• Coby Jeffords — 2015
• John Byers — 2015
• Zain Byers — 2014 (Cousin of John Byers)
• Shad Newman — 2014
• Jamal Lewis — 2013

DONATIONS:

Each player must raise $650. For that amount, each player will receive a custom bowl rings commemorating their achievement, get to keep their game jersey and be featured in a full page program ad. Besides accepting monetary donations, there are several ways the players will be raising the money including the following methods:

Ad Sales:

• 1, full page ad — $400

• 2, half page ads — $200 each

• 4, 1/4 page ads — $100 each

• Sell 14 ESPN magazine 2 year prescriptions — $40 per prescription

— Ring and jersey monies are due by April 8, 2015.

— Program money is due by May 16, 2015.

Donations for John Byers can be made by contacting:

• Nancy Byers at 972-935-7731
• Barry Byers at 972-921-1231

Donations for Coby Jeffords can be made by contacting:

• Micki Howard at (817) 721-5455

Thanks everyone for your constant support of our student-athletes!

Congrats John and Coby!