Gladiators take their chariots mudding against the Malakoff Tigers

Image: Italy’s JV builds a mud pack on the line of scrimmage against Malakoff — Italy’s 7th Grade, 8th Grade and JV teams took on Malakoff Thursday in Italy. Hard playing Malakoff squads swept the three games against the Willis Field Warriors 8-6, 16-0 and 34-18.

Italy’s JV builds a mud pack on the line of scrimmage against Malakoff — Italy’s 7th Grade, 8th Grade and JV teams took on Malakoff Thursday in Italy. Hard playing Malakoff squads swept the three games against the Willis Field Warriors 8-6, 16-0 and 34-18. (Submitted Photo)

Image: 7th grade on defense — The Italy 7th grade defense digs in against the Tigers.

7th grade on defense — The Italy 7th grade defense digs in against the Tigers. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Mudscamilla — Quarterback J.T. Escamilla gets a face full of mud against the Malakoff Tigers.

Mudscamilla — Quarterback J.T. Escamilla gets a face full of mud against the Malakoff Tigers. (Submitted Photo)

Image: We’re in this together — All for one and one for eleven. Quarterback J.T Escamilla (7) tries to keep his offensive lineman in working condition as he snaps the headgear on teammate James Prator.

We’re in this together — All for one and one for eleven. Quarterback J.T Escamilla (7) tries to keep his offensive lineman in working condition as he snaps the headgear on teammate James Prator. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Colton is bolting — Colton Petry (6) tries to turn the corner against the Tiger defense.

Colton is bolting — Colton Petry (6) tries to turn the corner against the Tiger defense. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: The big “O” — The 7th Grade offense huddles during the game.

The big “O” — The 7th Grade offense huddles during the game. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: It’s a snap — Chase McGinnis (84) fires off down field to try to haul in a pass from quarterback J.T. Escamilla.

It’s a snap — Chase McGinnis (84) fires off down field to try to haul in a pass from quarterback J.T. Escamilla. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Chase McGinnis — Chase McGinnis (84) hauls in a his first career catch as a Gladiator.

Chase McGinnis — Chase McGinnis (84) hauls in a his first career catch as a Gladiator. (Submitted Photo)

Image: Tackling a Tiger — John Byers (54), Tyler VinCell(75) and Colton Petry(6) try to put the clamps on the Tigers.

Tackling a Tiger — John Byers (54), Tyler VinCell(75) and Colton Petry(6) try to put the clamps on the Tigers. (Submitted Photo)

Image: Colton’s free — Petry breaks into the open with Tigers on his tail.

Colton’s free — Petry breaks into the open with Tigers on his tail. (Submitted Photo)

Image: >>>Men Working<<< — The 7th Grade offensive line clears a path through the jungle of Malakoff Tigers.

>>>Men Working<<< — The 7th Grade offensive line clears a path through the jungle of Malakoff Tigers. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Crunch! — Tyler VinCell crunches a Tiger runner with Jackson, Byers and Petry flying in for support.

Crunch! — Tyler VinCell crunches a Tiger runner with Jackson, Byers and Petry flying in for support. (Submitted Photo)

Image: 11 strong — Coach Matt Coker huddles with his 7th Graders against Malakoff.

11 strong — Coach Matt Coker huddles with his 7th Graders against Malakoff. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Come together — Italy Junior High and Malakoff Cheerleaders come together for a little bonding time.

Come together — Italy Junior High and Malakoff Cheerleaders come together for a little bonding time. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Rough and tough — Italy’s 8th Grade team showed moxy with only 11 players in the lineup.

Rough and tough — Italy’s 8th Grade team showed moxy with only 11 players in the lineup. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Tigers in trouble — Zain Byers (25) brings down a Tiger.

Tigers in trouble — Zain Byers (25) brings down a Tiger. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Flash of lightning — Eric “Flash” Carson looks for a running lane against the Tigers in the 8th Grade game.

Flash of lightning — Eric “Flash” Carson looks for a running lane against the Tigers in the 8th Grade game. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: 1 against 4 — Name Withheld (20) takes on a pack of Tigers as he tries to keep the Malakoff runner from reaching the sideline.

1 against 4 — Name Withheld (20) takes on a pack of Tigers as he tries to keep the Malakoff runner from reaching the sideline. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Here’s mud in your eye — Tristin Smithwick tries to remove debri from under his facemask during a much needed break.

Here’s mud in your eye — Tristin Smithwick tries to remove debri from under his facemask during a much needed break. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Pressuring the punt — Italy’s 8th Grade defense forces Malakoff to punt it away as Cody Medrano (28) applies pressure.

Pressuring the punt — Italy’s 8th Grade defense forces Malakoff to punt it away as Cody Medrano (28) applies pressure. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Italy’s JV arrives — The 2009 Italy Gladiator JV football team prepares to square off against Malakoff.

Italy’s JV arrives — The 2009 Italy Gladiator JV football team prepares to square off against Malakoff. (Submitted Photo)

Image: All systems go — Italy launches an aerial assault but the bombs were not dropping according to the flight plan.

All systems go — Italy launches an aerial assault but the bombs were not dropping according to the flight plan. (Submitted Photo)

Image: Jackson attacks — Kyle Jackson (28) tracks the Tiger quarterback from behind.

Jackson attacks — Kyle Jackson (28) tracks the Tiger quarterback from behind. (Submitted Photo)

Image: Mudding — Italy’s JV and their high powered offense bogged down against Malakoff who came from behind to win 34-18.

Mudding — Italy’s JV and their high powered offense bogged down against Malakoff who came from behind to win 34-18. (Submitted Photo)

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