Gladiators rally late but Panthers hang on

Image: Friday was a Texas rivalry classic between Italy and Maypearl — Italy and Maypearl went head-to-head, and Texas decal-to-Texas decal, Friday night with the game going undecided until the final 13-seconds.

Friday was a Texas rivalry classic between Italy and Maypearl — Italy and Maypearl went head-to-head, and Texas decal-to-Texas decal, Friday night with the game going undecided until the final 13-seconds. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Step on it — The Gladiator offense is on the move.

Step on it — The Gladiator offense is on the move. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Jasenio rolls right — Italy Quarterback, Jasenio Anderson, kept the Gladiators in the game until the very end.

Jasenio rolls right — Italy Quarterback, Jasenio Anderson, kept the Gladiators in the game until the very end. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Coach Bales and Ryan — Coach Bales talks to Ryan Ashcraft about the upcoming play.

Coach Bales and Ryan — Coach Bales talks to Ryan Ashcraft about the upcoming play. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Gladiator Strong — Gladiator mascot, Bianca Evans, takes time to flex.

Gladiator Strong — Gladiator mascot, Bianca Evans, takes time to flex. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Italy battles back — Maypearl came out swinging but the Gladiators had a chance for the last second knockout.

Italy battles back — Maypearl came out swinging but the Gladiators had a chance for the last second knockout. (Submitted photo)

Image: Panthers go up — The Panthers scored first an fade pass into to endzone, but the Gladiators quickly tied the score 6-6.

Panthers go up — The Panthers scored first an fade pass into to endzone, but the Gladiators quickly tied the score 6-6. (Submitted photo)

Image: Going for the block — Italy’s defense tries to block the Maypearl point after kick.

Going for the block — Italy’s defense tries to block the Maypearl point after kick. (Submitted photo)

Image: Team defense — Jonathan Nash #65 and Heath Clemons #2 react to the Maypearl backfield.

Team defense — Jonathan Nash #65 and Heath Clemons #2 react to the Maypearl backfield. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Spirit Up — Gladiator cheerleader, Drew Windham, gets the crowd ready to roar.

Spirit Up — Gladiator cheerleader, Drew Windham, gets the crowd ready to roar. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Band happy — Brianna Burkhalter and Chante Birdsong are ready to play at half time.

Band happy — Brianna Burkhalter and Chante Birdsong are ready to play at half time. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Anderson scrambles — Jasenio tries to escape the clutches of a Maypearl Panther.

Anderson scrambles — Jasenio tries to escape the clutches of a Maypearl Panther. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Destani smiles — Cheerleader, Destani Anderson, has a moment for the camera.

Destani smiles — Cheerleader, Destani Anderson, has a moment for the camera. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Half time spirit — Gladiators come back from halftime ready to fire it up.

Half time spirit — Gladiators come back from halftime ready to fire it up. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Haley and Sierra — Cheerleaders, Sierra Harris and Haley, give Gladiator fans a lift.

Haley and Sierra — Cheerleaders, Sierra Harris and Haley, give Gladiator fans a lift. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Pass it on — Grounded early, Italy relied on it’s passing attack to get back in the game.

Pass it on — Grounded early, Italy relied on it’s passing attack to get back in the game. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Touchdown! — Italy connects on another touchdown pass late in the game.

Touchdown! — Italy connects on another touchdown pass late in the game. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Gladiator Cheerleaders — These young ladies have something to cheer about.

Gladiator Cheerleaders — These young ladies have something to cheer about. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Anderson cuts back — Jasenio Anderson runs a quarterback keeper up the middle.

Anderson cuts back — Jasenio Anderson runs a quarterback keeper up the middle. (Submitted photo)

Image: Ethan excells — Linebacker Ethan Simon stuffs the panther running back at the line of scrimmage.

Ethan excells — Linebacker Ethan Simon stuffs the panther running back at the line of scrimmage. (Submitted photo)

Image: Kick return — De’Andre Sephus advances the Maypearl kickoff.

Kick return — De’Andre Sephus advances the Maypearl kickoff. (Submitted photo)

Image: FANtastic behavior — This well behaved group of young Gladiator fans deserved to have their picture taken.

FANtastic behavior — This well behaved group of young Gladiator fans deserved to have their picture taken. (Submitted photo)

Image: Coach Craig Bales — Heath Clemons has Coach Bales’ back.

Coach Craig Bales — Heath Clemons has Coach Bales’ back. (Submitted photo)

Image: Out of time — The Gladiators fell 1-point short of the Panthers, but after trailing 20-6 in the third quarter, Italy battled back and had two chances to win the game. Although a loss is never easy, Italy fans are excited about the team’s comeback effort and are ready for Chilton!

Out of time — The Gladiators fell 1-point short of the Panthers, but after trailing 20-6 in the third quarter, Italy battled back and had two chances to win the game. Although a loss is never easy, Italy fans are excited about the team’s comeback effort and are ready for Chilton! (Anne Sutherland)

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