Reminiscent of Rocky III, when Rocky Balboa was pitted against Mr. T’s Clubber Lang character, the Italy Junior High whipped the Hubbard Jaguars in four rounds of football. Hubbard, with only a tie on their record coming into the game, now have a loss to go with that tie thanks to a surging Italy Junior High team that improved their record to 2-1.

The Italy Gladiators charged into Longhorn country with quarterback Jasenio Anderson at the reins. It wasn’t exactly a shootout at the O.K. Corral as both sides relied on their running games. With pass attempts ricocheting off the mud-slicked surface, Italy did manage to post a shutout in their low-scoring win over Axtell, and that’s O.K. with Gladiator fans.

Italy’s Junior High and JV football teams had the visiting Axtell Longhorns back on their hooves in both games. Italy’s teams scored first and held their leads throughout. The Longhorns played tough but it was the Gladiators who were seeing red when Axtell unloaded their yellow wagons.

Three games, three wins and three cheers for the IYAA Gladiators as they swept the Ferris Yellow Jackets Saturday in Ferris. It was a cold day for football but the bright lights on the visiting side of the scoreboard kept IYAA fans warm.

The IYAA Gladiators traveled to Scurry-Rosser Saturday to take on the Wildcats. The Wildcats knocked the IYAA C-Team and B-Team out of the playoffs last season setting the stage for some fun yet dramatic football.

The Italy Gladiators challenged the Frost Polar Bears for the right to be 1-0 in district play during Italy High School’s Homecoming game on Friday. Italy head coach, Craig Bales, had his team ready to play and it did’t take long to realize that the old gold tradition has a new winning style. Once the balloons were filled, the ribbons were tied and the mums were pinned on, the Italy Gladiators got geared up for their championship run.

With the first football games against Palmer being rained out in week 1, followed by a Bye in the 2nd week of the season, Saturday doubled as the IYAA Homecoming games as well as their season openers.

Apparently, when gold and blue collide together it makes red as the Italy Junior High played a hard-hitting football game against the Frost Polar Bears in their district opener.

Junior Gladiator Quarterback Jasenio Anderson was chosen by the Directors of www.1Atexasfootball.com as this week’s Player of the Week for his outstanding performance in the overtime loss to AA Malakoff. He was selected from a list of unbelievable games played by the most talented players across the State, and his stats and some photos from the Neotribune are featured on their website, which can be reached through the link provided above.

The IYAA Bonfire Party has been CANCELLED due to inclement weather. The IYAA will reschedule the Bonfire at a later, much dryer, date. This marks the first time in ten years the event has been cancelled.

One For The Ages – The 1A Italy Gladiators traveled to take on the 2A Malakoff Tigers who Italy had beaten last season 33-8. Catching the Gladiators off guard, this wasn’t last years Tiger team. Malakoff brought in a complete new coaching staff for their 2009 campaign.

Malakoff made a clean sweep of the Italy 7th Grade, 8th Grade and JV football teams Thurdsay…even if it was muddy. Both Italy Junior High teams only had 11 players on each roster but all 22 players gave a valiant effort defending the home field. Malakoff’s JV Tigers started off slow but eventually slung enough mud into the air to win the game against the JV Gladiators.

The family of Justin Wood would like to express a sincere thank you to Coach Craig Bales and his Italy High School coaching staff, along with Stafford Elementary nurse Rita Garza, for their effective handling of Justin when he was injured during football practice two weeks ago.

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.

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 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.

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

There are no helmets or pads at this event but the summer league football team is having fun. This is not officially the varsity squad from Italy but most of these guys have previously played for the team. The team is made up of 9th-11th graders from IHS and coached by Pastor Todd Gray of Central Baptist of Italy.

The Milford Bulldog Football All-District & All-Regional Honors were announced for 2008. Eight Milford players were recognized for their achievements this past season. The Italy Neotribune would like to congratulate all these young men for a job well done.

The IYAA will be having its end of the season football/cheerleading banquet on Saturday, December 6, 2008. The festivities will start at 12:00 p.m. and end around 2:00 p.m. at the Stafford Elementary School gymnasium in Italy, Texas. Hotdogs and beverages will be provided before the trophy ceremonies.

District 21-A

The IYAA C-Team Gladiators had to endure a bitterly cold 9:00 a.m. game start to compete for the Conference Championship against the Scurry Rosser Wildcats. Scurry’s previous loss to the Gladiators and the frigid weather didn’t detour them as the Wildcats jumped out to a 19-6 halftime lead.

The IYAA football teams wrap up their regular season and prepare for playoffs! In the playoffs this Saturday, November 15, B division’s third ranked Italy B-Team (6-2) will play Scurry Rosser. Undefeated C Divison Champions the Italy C-Team (8-0) will play Scurry Rosser as well. Let’s all make it to the games and support our young players in Hubbard!

ITASCA — The Italy 7th grade football team ended their successful 2008 season unfortunately with a loss to the Itasca Wampus Cats 6-0. Italy finished in second place behind Axtel. A classic defensive battle relied on a busted play to determine the outcome in this one.

ITALY, Texas – Italy High School honored their Senior football players, cheerleaders and band members before Italy’s final game of the season against the undefeated Itasca Wampus Cats. The game becomes an instant classic!

DAWSON, Texas — Diamond Rodgers led his team mates into battle carrying a sacred golden flag as the Italy Gladiators stormed into the Dawson Bulldogs’ stadium looking for a win.

ITALY, Texas — Hard hits and big plays defined this contest between old rivals as a late touchdown grab by #84 Paul Harris gives Italy a chance.