Although Italy’s 7th Grade football team tied the Palmer Bulldogs 0-0 in their Thursday scrimmage, they did manage to beat the rain. Italy did forgoe it’s last offensive series due to lightning and ultimately rain. However, the 8th Grade and JV teams will have to wait until next Thursday against Malakoff.

In a pre-season game on Tuesday night, the Lady Gladiators took on the Lady Chargers from Keene. In a 3 game set, Keene narrowly gained the win.

Italy earned their first win on the season with an impressive victory over the Chilton Pirates. Chilton, who upset 1A power Mart (No. 16) last week 39-16, had the air pounded out of their sails Friday night by a determined group of Gladiators 33-27.

The Lady Bulldogs of Palmer made a short trip to Italy on Tuesday night to take on the Lady Gladiators for the second time this pre-season. Italy defended the net with enthusiasm but it didn’t take Palmer long to perform the duties at hand. With a four game set, Palmer won 3 out of 4.

At Italy High School on Friday night, the dome was buzzing with activity. Red Oak Life came to play the Lady Gladiators and left with their hats in their hands.

The Italy Gladiators began their highly anticipated football season by hosting, their long-time rival, the Maypearl Panthers Friday night. 2009 marks the second year Italy has returned to 1A competition where they have enjoyed trophy case after trohy case of success in years past.

After a JV Gladiator win on Thursday against Maypearl, the Italy student body threw a Pep Rally for the Varsity players before their game against the Panthers on Friday.

The Italy Gladiators had one of their best practices Wednesday. There is definitely an energy surrounding Willis Field in anticipation of the upcoming JV and Varsity football games this week against Maypearl. Playing under the Friday night lights will be fun but don’t forget about the JV game that will be played under the Thursday night lights in Maypearl.

IYAA football for ages kindergarten through 6th grades is in it’s second week of pre-season practices. The Majors (5th & 6th grades), the Minors (3rd and 4th grades) and then Bantam (K-2nd grades) make up the three teams the IYAA will be fielding in 2009.

Although the Italy Gladiators were out pointed 2-0 in the Friday scrimmage against 2-time defending TAPPS Division III State Champion Waco Reicher Cougars, you won’t find any gloom around the Gladiator practice facilities. Feeling good about their progress, Italy is ready to meet the Maypearl Panthers head-on, in the first non-district game of the season.

On Tuesday night, at the conclusion of the parent meeting with Ms. Parker, the new principal at Italy High School, the Athletic Booster Club past president, Becky Milligan, addressed the parents, “If you are a parent of an athlete or support Italy athletics, we invite you to join the Booster Club. The club has new fundraising ideas and we want to build a program that will keep building.”

After roughing up one another in two-a-days practices over the past two weeks, the Italy Gladiators Varsity and JV teams were allowed to take their hostilities out on the Blooming Grove Lions. There were plenty of big hits and big plays from both sides, but most importantly, the Gladiators had a chance to shake the rust off their gold helmets. It has begun…

It’s the beginning of scrimmage season and the Lady Gladiator Volleyball teams are taking full advantage of the time. They started two-a-days last week with Coach Andi Windham and Coach Jennifer Reeves. The JV and Varsity squad is ready to take on the competition.

The Italy Gladiators Varsity and JV football teams will scrimmage the Blooming Grove Lions Saturday starting at 10:00 a.m. in Italy at Willis Field. Fans are asked to donate a white towel toward the Gladiator cause.

The first week of two-a-days for the Gladiators has come to an end, but not without having a little contact before the weekend.

The Italy Gladiators are gearing up for a run at the District Championship with two-a-day practices beginning this week. Head Coach Craig Bales has his full coaching staff from last season and has his players thirsty for the title.

The IYAA Football season gets underway Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Upchurch Ballfields. The A-Team (Majors), the B-Team (Minors) and the C-Team (Bantam) will each have their first practice to meet the coaches and their teammates.

It was only fitting that after so many IYAA baseball games were rescheduled due to rain during the year that the season ending baseball/softball party endured one last storm.

This weeks Gladiator Football Camp gave the best young talent from the area a chance to sharpen their skills under the tutelage of Italy High School Head Football Coach Craig Bales and his staff.

FINAL SIGNS-UPS for football and cheerleading will be Saturday, August 1st from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Upchurch Ballfields. All players MUST be present to have their picture taken. County issued birth certificates and registration fees must be submitted at the time of sign-up. Eligible players are 2009-2010 school year Kindergarten to 6th graders.

It’s 4th down with 1-yard to go for the winning touchdown, break the huddle with confidence this season knowing you and your teammates have already earned this score with summer workouts and by participating in the Gladiator Football Camp 2009.

When the Ellis County Renegades qualified for the Super Series World Series Tournament in Kerens May 9th, in Desoto May 30th, and again in Kerens June 27th head coach Jason Moore had no idea of the thrills and excitement they were about to undertake. When the Renegades arrived in Colorado Springs, Colorado they wasted no time in establishing themselves as the team to beat.

Upchurch Ballfield – Photo retakes will be available for purchase on July 25, starting at 9:00 am. The IYAA end of the season Baseball/Softball Party will be on August 1, starting at 5:00 pm and Football/Cheerleading Sign-ups will take place during both events as well.

Italy T-ballers stirred up the dust earlier this week in the District Tournament in Hillsboro while two other Italy players teamed with the Whitney Wildcats in the 14 & Under Division.

The Texas Elite Basketball Team has recently qualified for the Prime Time National Basketball Tournament (9th – 10th grade division) and will be playing next week in the Denton/Lewisville area.

Milford, Hillsboro and Frost battled it out for 1st place on the final day of the four day District 3 Tournament, hosted by the IYAA in Italy. It was exciting and it was a grind for all the teams. However, after the dust at home plate had settled, it was the Frost Lady Polar Bears that celebrated as Champions.

Day 3 of the IYAA hosted 8 & Under Girls Softball Tournament (Coach pitch) saw area teams continuing to improve their standings in the bracket.

What an exciting night of District Tournament softball! The IYAA is hosting the 8 & Under Girls Softball Division all week long.

Miracle comebacks, big plays and ice packs were just some of the going ons surrounding the county wide, Girls Softball District Tournament on Tuesday. The IYAA fielded one team in Ennis and one Grandview while a couple of IYAA players represented Italy at the Upchurch Fields in the 8 & Under Division.

Part of an elaborate, multi-town, Girls District Softball Tournament, The IYAA will be hosting 8 & Under Coach Pitch tournament games in Italy at the Upchurch Fields starting Tuesday, July 7-10 (The games were rescheduled to Tuesday due to rain).

The IYAA will be having Football/Cheerleading sign-ups on Saturday, July 11th from 10 until 4 at Italy City Hall at 101 W. Main Street. All players MUST be present. County issued birth certificates and registration fees must be submitted at the time of sign-up. Eligible players are 2009-2010 school year Kindergarten to 6th graders.

The 9th annual Above The Rim Invitational Basketball Tournament was held Friday and Saturday night at the Old Gym in Italy. Italy Basketball Coach Larry Mayberry and Milford’s Basketball Coach Otis Carter organized this year’s event.

We knew they would be better. We knew they would be good. After witnessing Italy in action during the 7-on-7 all passing league Thursday at Willis Field, we can now expect the Italy Gladiators to be great next season.

Four days of basketball camp to make an impression. Four days for an opportunity to be a new player. Just four days. Four chances for glory.

Waxahachie Lady Indians, Head Basketball Coach Leslie Priebe, was invited by Lady Gladiators Head Coach, Stacy McDonald, to work with the team on running offensive sets during a one-day camp on Thursday.

The IHS Boys basketball teams finish summer league play strong and hope to leave a mark in the tournament that starts Monday, June 29 and ends Tuesday June 30.

The Italy Gladiators Athletic Department has been hosting a 7-on-7 summer passing league this summer. Varsity and J.V. have been mixed together as they competed against Palmer, Rio Vista, Ferris and Blooming Grove. Italy’s final challenge will be today, Thursday, June 25, at 6:00 p.m. in Italy.

The IYAA will be having Football/Cheerleading sign-ups on Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri during evening baseball games at the Upchurch Fields. On Saturday, June 27, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., sign-ups will be at the Dunlap Library on Clark Street in Italy.

IYAA Baseball & Softball teams keep fans cheering as the season nears it’s end. The Italy Eagledogs and the Pink Panthers put on late season displays of athleticism, skill and perseverance. And that’s just trying to get a helmet that fits and the catching equipment snapped together.

The Ellis County Renegades Baseball Team (12U) have qualified to play in the Super Series World Series in Colorado Springs, Colorado this summer (July). They are doing a few fundraisers in the month of June to raise money so all the families are able to go on this trip.

On Monday, June 8, 2009, the Ellis County Commissioners court held a short meeting and recognized the Italy Gladiators Softball, Baseball, Track and Powerlifting teams. The students were invited by Commissioner Heath Sims.

Lady Gladiator Head Coach Stacy McDonald is the architect of a championship game plan for the girls basketball program. And included in her blue prints for success is the Lady Gladiators Basketball Camp this week.

The Lady Gladiators take advantage of summer league basketball to stay sharp for another playoff run in 2010. And who better to compete against than Italy’s old rival, the 2A Maypearl Lady Panthers. Warning: The following pictures are not for the faint of heart…

Italy’s JV and Varsity Boys basketball teams competed in their 2nd round of summer league games on Monday.