Before the game was called due to lightning, the Italy 7th Grade football team was able to get in most of their scrimmage against the Palmer Bulldogs on Thursday.

Using a 10 &10 and 8 & 8 format, Palmer threatened to score on their first play. After a 15-yard pick up, Italy’s Cody Boyd caused the Bulldog runner to spin back into the path of big James Prator who planted the unlucky Palmersanthemum deep into the Willis Field sod.

Italy’s defense was stingy after that holding Palmer to minimal gains at best. Italy’s bulky front line did the bulk of the work with Prator, Tyler Vencill, Kelton Bales, Sam Hilliard and Tristan Jackson putting in the man hours.

Chace McGinnis and Colton Petry were active at the cornerback positions while Boyd and John Escamilla were the safeties on patrol. Italy newcomer Ronnie Gatling was the enforcer at middle linebacker.

Kyle Fortenberry and John Byers were stout as the defensive ends. John Byers accounted for one of Italy’s two forced fumbles, a quarterback sack and 5-tackles total.

On offense, Gatling did the tough running for the Gladiators. Including one play where Gatling was initially stopped short of the 1st down marker but refused to go down until he earned the needed yardage to keep the drive alive.

Quarterback Escamilla had one completion for 9-yards to Petry who caught the tipped pass with one hand as he landed on his back. Actually, Petry didn’t have a choice since his right hand was heavily wrapped to protect a previous injury.

On Italy’s final offensive play, Palmer intercepted a pass and raced untouched to the endzone. However, a clipping penalty occurred when Escamilla was pushed from behind while giving chase. The Palmer touchdown was called back keeping the score 0-0.

Italy was unable to run it’s remaining 8 offensive plays due to lightning. With only 12-players on the roster, compared to a full Palmer squad, Italy’s 7th graders trotted into the fieldhouse feeling good about their performance.

Even Italy’s Varsity head football coach, Craig Bales, was pleased with the effort saying, “That was not bad at all,” referring to the 7th grades’ first 10 defensive plays.

The 8th grade and JV (2-0) teams were ready to go but the rain just wouldn’t stop pouring down. All three teams will storm the home field again next Thursday, September 17 against Malakoff starting with the 7th Grade at 5:00 p.m., the 8th Grade at 6:00 p.m. and the JV at 7:00 p.m.