Italy’s 7th Grade football team beat the rain

Image: John Escamilla to pass — John Escamilla (7) heaves a completion to Colton Petry for 9-yards during the scrimmage against the Palmer Bulldogs Thursday. Lightning and heavy rains prevented the 8th Grade and JV teams from seeing any action.

John Escamilla to pass — John Escamilla (7) heaves a completion to Colton Petry for 9-yards during the scrimmage against the Palmer Bulldogs Thursday. Lightning and heavy rains prevented the 8th Grade and JV teams from seeing any action. (Submitted Photo)

Image: Patrick Anderson — Patrick Anderson has been the lead link in Italy’s chain crew since his highschool days.

Patrick Anderson — Patrick Anderson has been the lead link in Italy’s chain crew since his highschool days. (Submitted Photo)

Image: John closes in — John Byers (54) has the Palmer quarterback on the run.

John closes in — John Byers (54) has the Palmer quarterback on the run. (Submitted Photo)

Image: Coach Coker talks — Coach Matt Coker talks with the 7th Grade team during a timeout.

Coach Coker talks — Coach Matt Coker talks with the 7th Grade team during a timeout. (Submitted Photo)

Image: Good Dawg! — John “Bulldawg” Byers (54) (half brahman, half pit) records a sack against the Bulldogs.

Good Dawg! — John “Bulldawg” Byers (54) (half brahman, half pit) records a sack against the Bulldogs. (Submitted Photo)

Image: Tyler takes a break — Tyler Vencill and his fellow diesels get refueled.

Tyler takes a break — Tyler Vencill and his fellow diesels get refueled. (Submitted Photo)

Image: FUMBLE! — John Byers (54) jars the ball loose from a hapless Bulldog.

FUMBLE! — John Byers (54) jars the ball loose from a hapless Bulldog. (Submitted Photo)

Image: Boyd and Escamilla — Cody Boyd (32) and John Escamilla (7) represent the last line of defense at their safety positions.

Boyd and Escamilla — Cody Boyd (32) and John Escamilla (7) represent the last line of defense at their safety positions. (Submitted Photo)

Image: Waterbreak — Even in a short game, you gotta have some water.

Waterbreak — Even in a short game, you gotta have some water. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: IJH Cheerleaders — Cheering for the crowd. Apparently, the Italy Junior High Cheerleaders were doing their rain dance…here come the clouds!

IJH Cheerleaders — Cheering for the crowd. Apparently, the Italy Junior High Cheerleaders were doing their rain dance…here come the clouds! (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Escamilla runs for it — It only took a second to decide to run instead of pass for this quarterback.

Escamilla runs for it — It only took a second to decide to run instead of pass for this quarterback. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: The line up — This scrimmage let the coaches watch the players to see what needs to be worked on.

The line up — This scrimmage let the coaches watch the players to see what needs to be worked on. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: The search — Who should he pass it to?

The search — Who should he pass it to? (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Kelton Bales — Kelton plays a big role for the 7th Grade defensive and offensive lines.

Kelton Bales — Kelton plays a big role for the 7th Grade defensive and offensive lines. (Submitted Photo)

Image: Takes time for a pose — Jesica Wilkins stops cheering for a Kodak moment.

Takes time for a pose — Jesica Wilkins stops cheering for a Kodak moment. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Sam Hilliard — Hilliard is the size of a mountain and the 7th Grade Gladiators will be waiting at the top of it for any challengers.

Sam Hilliard — Hilliard is the size of a mountain and the 7th Grade Gladiators will be waiting at the top of it for any challengers. (Submitted Photo)

Image: The defensive line — The line stops the Bulldogs from crossing the mark.

The defensive line — The line stops the Bulldogs from crossing the mark. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Go! — The Italy Junior High Cheerleaders fire up the team.

Go! — The Italy Junior High Cheerleaders fire up the team. (Submitted Photo)

Image: Kyle and James — You hit him high and I’ll hit him low.

Kyle and James — You hit him high and I’ll hit him low. (Submitted Photo)

Image: Chace McGinnis — Chace is awaiting the snap from his cornerback position.

Chace McGinnis — Chace is awaiting the snap from his cornerback position. (Submitted Photo)

Image: No room to run… — …And no place to hide! The front six of the 7th Grade defensive line. From left to right: Fortenberry, Prator, Vencill, Bales, Hilliard and Byers.

No room to run… — …And no place to hide! The front six of the 7th Grade defensive line. From left to right: Fortenberry, Prator, Vencill, Bales, Hilliard and Byers. (Submitted Photo)

Image: We’re outta here! — Rain drops keep falling on my pom-poms.

We’re outta here! — Rain drops keep falling on my pom-poms. (Submitted Photo)

Return to story