Gladiator effort falls short

Image: Jacob Simon — Jacob Simon stands at attention as the flag is raised. Simon graduated in 2005 from IHS and has served seven months in Iraq. He still serves our country today.

Jacob Simon — Jacob Simon stands at attention as the flag is raised. Simon graduated in 2005 from IHS and has served seven months in Iraq. He still serves our country today. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: FFA — Jacob Simon, Meredith Brommett, Haley Pittmon, Julia McDaniel waiting for the flag ceremony.

FFA — Jacob Simon, Meredith Brommett, Haley Pittmon, Julia McDaniel waiting for the flag ceremony. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Windham awaits team entrance — Cheerleader Drew Windham waits for the Gladiators to come through the tunnel.

Windham awaits team entrance — Cheerleader Drew Windham waits for the Gladiators to come through the tunnel. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Da Boys — The Italy Gladiators take the field to host the Axtell Longhorns Friday night.

Da Boys — The Italy Gladiators take the field to host the Axtell Longhorns Friday night. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: The Gladiator defense — The defense trying to stop the Longhorns on Friday night.

The Gladiator defense — The defense trying to stop the Longhorns on Friday night. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Moore and Enriquez — Darrin Moore and Ross Enriquez watching the game.

Moore and Enriquez — Darrin Moore and Ross Enriquez watching the game. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Beverly Barnhart — Lady Gladiator Beverly has fun cheering.

Beverly Barnhart — Lady Gladiator Beverly has fun cheering. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Gladiator offense — The Gladiators penetrate the Longhorn line.

Gladiator offense — The Gladiators penetrate the Longhorn line. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Ethan Simon — #50 Ethan Simon watches from the sideline.

Ethan Simon — #50 Ethan Simon watches from the sideline. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Lines lock horns — The Gladiator line and the Longhorn line battling for the win.

Lines lock horns — The Gladiator line and the Longhorn line battling for the win. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Molly and Tess — Molly Haight and Tess Clark have fun in the stands with the band.

Molly and Tess — Molly Haight and Tess Clark have fun in the stands with the band. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: IHS Gladiator Band — The Italy High School Band gets ready for halftime.

IHS Gladiator Band — The Italy High School Band gets ready for halftime. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: IHS flag corps — (L-R)Melissa, Nikki, Yesenia, Shanta, Jimesha and Jaleecia.

IHS flag corps — (L-R)Melissa, Nikki, Yesenia, Shanta, Jimesha and Jaleecia. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Gladiator mascot — The Gladiator mascot cheers on fellow Gladiators.

Gladiator mascot — The Gladiator mascot cheers on fellow Gladiators. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: One with Italy pride — Another fan with Italy pride, JT Norcross paints his chest black and gold.

One with Italy pride — Another fan with Italy pride, JT Norcross paints his chest black and gold. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Gladiators have the ball — #63 Zach Hernandez, #7 Jasenio Anderson, #20 Clay Major and #10 John Isaac.

Gladiators have the ball — #63 Zach Hernandez, #7 Jasenio Anderson, #20 Clay Major and #10 John Isaac. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Jasenio Anderson — Anderson runs for the TD.

Jasenio Anderson — Anderson runs for the TD. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Destani — Destani Anderson takes time for a smile.

Destani — Destani Anderson takes time for a smile. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Major run — #20 Clay Major escapes the Longhorn wrath.

Major run — #20 Clay Major escapes the Longhorn wrath. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Anderson kicks — #7 Jasenio Anderson kicks for the extra point.

Anderson kicks — #7 Jasenio Anderson kicks for the extra point. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Issac destroys — #10 John Issac pulls the Longhorn down to the ground.

Issac destroys — #10 John Issac pulls the Longhorn down to the ground. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: It takes two — It takes two Longhorns to bring down one Gladiator.

It takes two — It takes two Longhorns to bring down one Gladiator. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Tyler Boyd — Boyd is an offensive and defensive lineman.

Tyler Boyd — Boyd is an offensive and defensive lineman. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: The Somber Speech — Coach Bales speaks to the Gladiators after the battle.

The Somber Speech — Coach Bales speaks to the Gladiators after the battle. (Anne Sutherland)

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