Gladiators make plays during Saturday’s football scrimmages

Image: Italy Gladiators — The Gladiators began their pre-season games with a scrimmage against Blooming Grove on Saturday.

Italy Gladiators — The Gladiators began their pre-season games with a scrimmage against Blooming Grove on Saturday. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Bales talks — Head football Coach Craig Bales instructs his players before the scrimmage against Blooming Grove.

Bales talks — Head football Coach Craig Bales instructs his players before the scrimmage against Blooming Grove. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Pass, pass, pass! — Italy’s defense reacts to the Lion quarterback.

Pass, pass, pass! — Italy’s defense reacts to the Lion quarterback. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Wilkins powers the ball — Italy quarterback Jasenio Anderson hands the ball to power back Kyle Wilkins as Italy’s offensive line makes a running lane.

Wilkins powers the ball — Italy quarterback Jasenio Anderson hands the ball to power back Kyle Wilkins as Italy’s offensive line makes a running lane. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Stuffing the pass — Italy’s Larry Mayberry and Bobby Wilson sack the Blooming Grove quarterback.

Stuffing the pass — Italy’s Larry Mayberry and Bobby Wilson sack the Blooming Grove quarterback. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Clemons carries — Heath Clemons takes the ball from Jasenio Anderson.

Clemons carries — Heath Clemons takes the ball from Jasenio Anderson. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Air mail — Italy quarterback Jasenio Anderson puts his stamp on the game as he releases the pass just in time.

Air mail — Italy quarterback Jasenio Anderson puts his stamp on the game as he releases the pass just in time. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: The “beast” is loose — Jasenio “Beast” Anderson breaks loose from a pack of Lions for a big gain.

The “beast” is loose — Jasenio “Beast” Anderson breaks loose from a pack of Lions for a big gain. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Read and lead — Jasenio Anderson reads the Blooming Grove defense as Italy’s offensive line gives him options.

Read and lead — Jasenio Anderson reads the Blooming Grove defense as Italy’s offensive line gives him options. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Heath hangs on — The talented Heath Clemons draws some unwanted attention from the Lions defense.

Heath hangs on — The talented Heath Clemons draws some unwanted attention from the Lions defense. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Drop back pass — Ross Enriquez tries to buy Jasenio Anderson a little time to make the throw.

Drop back pass — Ross Enriquez tries to buy Jasenio Anderson a little time to make the throw. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Zach on the attack — Italy’s, Zachary Latimer, applies pressure on the Blooming Grove backfield.

Zach on the attack — Italy’s, Zachary Latimer, applies pressure on the Blooming Grove backfield. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: It was a snap — Italy’s JV Gladiators and their determined offensive proved too much for the Blooming Grove defense.

It was a snap — Italy’s JV Gladiators and their determined offensive proved too much for the Blooming Grove defense. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Big swat — Lil’ Larry Mayberry tries to swat the ball back into the Blooming Grove quarterback’s facemask.

Big swat — Lil’ Larry Mayberry tries to swat the ball back into the Blooming Grove quarterback’s facemask. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Busted play — The Blooming Grove defense mistook Italy JV quarterback Tony Wooldidge for a cut of raw steak on this play.

Busted play — The Blooming Grove defense mistook Italy JV quarterback Tony Wooldidge for a cut of raw steak on this play. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Lions give Chase — Running back Chase Hamilton #24 rumbles through the Lion defense.

Lions give Chase — Running back Chase Hamilton #24 rumbles through the Lion defense. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Stalking a Lion — Blooming Grove’s quarterback is unable to sneak past the JV Gladiator’s defense line.

Stalking a Lion — Blooming Grove’s quarterback is unable to sneak past the JV Gladiator’s defense line. (Anne Sutherland)

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