The Italy Youth Athletic Association hosts Homecoming every year around the same time as Italy High School’s Homecoming. This year was no different. On Saturday, October 25, after a wonderful day in the parade, the football teams — A, B, and C — played football against the Rice Bulldogs.
ITALY — The Italy Gladiators steam rolled over the Wortham Bulldogs 39-0 on Friday night for their homecoming game. Italy hit the field ready for the contest and never let up until the final buzzer.
Tuesday night, was the IYAA bonfire and what a night it was. You started your evening off with pizza, pizza and more pizza! Parents and their children did not go hungry.
HUBBARD — Trying new plays paid off for the Italy Gladiators Friday night with a 28-8 win over the Hubbard Jaguars. Quarterback Jasenio Anderson led the Gladiators with 109 yards rushing and 163 yards passing. He hit his receivers 10 of 13 for 141 yards in the first half alone.
Life Charter found it difficult to contain Justin Buchanan Thursday night at Willis field. Buchanan racked up 76 yards rushing and 192 yards passing. With only 12 players, Italy had their work cut out for them and would have to play both ways with little or no relief. They handled the challenge and proved they would do whatever it takes to bring home the victory.
Italy hosted Hubbard on Thursday night and the game went down to the wire, but Italy lost in the final seconds 20-12.
IYAA has lots of fun every weekend. Boys from age groups of kindergarden through 6th grade. Check out their progress this past weekend.
ITALY – The Gladiators looked like a different team than the one that smothered Frost two weeks ago. This week’s team added a loss in their district column when the Axtell Longhorns came to Willis Field and took home the 18-13 win on Friday night. Italy was inactive last week which could have been a factor in the contest.
The three teams of IYAA lined up once again and fought hard, this time against the Scurry Wildcats on Saturday. Italy “C” team, consisting of K, 1st and 2nd graders, lead 20-0 at halftime. The young Gladiators changed the team around and changed things in the course in the second half. The final score was 31-19 with Italy putting another notch in their belt. Their overall record is 3-0.
Italy’s 7th and 8th grade Gladiator teams defeated the Hawks from Red Oak and the Frost Polar Bears to add a win to each of their records.
All three teams from IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) performed this past Saturday against Blooming Grove Lions. These kids are Kindergarden to 6th grade, divided into three teams. They are our future Italy Gladiators and the on the field training proves to be a good thing.
FROST — The Italy Gladiators came away with their second win of the season Friday night with a 40-7 win over the Frost Polar Bears. Clay Major led the Gladiators with 79 yards on five carries and three of them for touchdowns.
The Milford Bulldogs ran their record to 4 and 0 on the year with a 46 to zero Homecoming victory Friday night.
The Italy Gladiators gave their hometown fans their money’s worth and more on Friday night when they beat the Malakoff Tigers 33-8. Italy played as a team and dominated their opponent on both sides of the ball which made the game of football look easy.
PALMER — Last Thursday night the Italy 7th grade, 8th grade and Junior Varsity traveled to Palmer to take on the Bulldogs. At the end of the night Italy came home with one victory, one loss and one tie.
The 2008 football season has begun. These team photos and the schedules below introduce this year’s IHS Gladiators and the times and places they will do battle. Come out and support them — the strength of faithful fans can be felt on the field.
ITALY, Texas — The Palmer Bulldogs (2-1) traveled to Italy (0-3) Friday night and chalked up their first win of the season by defeating the Gladiators 19-7. Palmer kept Italy scoreless until late in the fourth quarter when Jasenio Anderson hit Desmond Anderson with a 14 yard touchdown pass.
The IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) Football program kicked-off with its season opener against the Hubbard Jaguars on Saturday. Three games were played with the Italy teams A, B and C. The A team consists of 5th and 6th graders and coached by Randy Boyd and Jason Escamillia. The B team has 3rd and 4th graders and is coached by Jared Esselman, Stephen Mott and Edwin Wallace. The C team has Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders and is coached by Gary Wood and Barry Byers.
Chilton – The Italy Gladiators traveled to Chilton on Friday night to take on the Pirates and almost gave them more than they could handle. Chilton chalked up a 28-26 win, but the outcome would have been different if an Italy TD had not been called back due to a questionable ineligible receiver penalty.
ITALY – Thursday night the JV Gladiators played host to Chilton in a game that was dominated by the Pirate’s defense. The Gladiator offense was held at bay making only two trips into Chilton territory the entire contest. The Pirates blanked Italy 22-0, handing the Gladiators their second straight loss. It was a slow and sluggish start for both teams with bad snaps, mishandled balls, turnovers, and several penalties.
The Maypearl Panthers held the Italy Gladiators scoreless in the second half of their home opener Friday night to boast a 27 -13 win. At the half, the Gladiators had a 13-7 lead over the Panthers, but that did not last long. Maypearl played with determination and force to find the end zone three times in the second half.
In their opening game on Thursday night at Willis Field, the Italy Junior Varsity held an 8-6 lead over Maypearl until D.J. Crownover powered 56 yards into the end zone with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Ethan Eastwood’s successful 2 point conversion gave the Panthers a 14-8 win over the Gladiators.
