Italy JH Gladiators get fan support against Dawson Bulldogs

Image: Baily Walton(48) pounds a Dawson Bulldog runner — Italy’s offense put 6-points on the board first but Dawson tied the game before halftime, and that’s how it would end, in a 6-6 tie.

Baily Walton(48) pounds a Dawson Bulldog runner — Italy’s offense put 6-points on the board first but Dawson tied the game before halftime, and that’s how it would end, in a 6-6 tie. (Barry Byers)

Image: We got spirit! — They just love their Gladiators!

We got spirit! — They just love their Gladiators! (Barry Byers)

Image: Here they come! — Kevin Roldan(62), Cody Medrano(28) and Chase McGinnis(84) lead the Italy JH Gladiators into battle against the Dawson Bulldogs Thursday.

Here they come! — Kevin Roldan(62), Cody Medrano(28) and Chase McGinnis(84) lead the Italy JH Gladiators into battle against the Dawson Bulldogs Thursday. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hank Seabolt — Hank is all smiles going into the Dawson game.

Hank Seabolt — Hank is all smiles going into the Dawson game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Run this play — Italy’s offense takes practice snaps befor the game.

Run this play — Italy’s offense takes practice snaps befor the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Captain’s shake hands — Game captain’s John Byers(54) and Bailey Walton(48) tell the Bulldog captains, “good luck.”

Captain’s shake hands — Game captain’s John Byers(54) and Bailey Walton(48) tell the Bulldog captains, “good luck.” (Barry Byers)

Image: I got it! — Bailey Walton recovers a Dawson fumble.

I got it! — Bailey Walton recovers a Dawson fumble. (Barry Byers)

Image: Need a bigger leash — The Gladiators track a Bulldog runner.

Need a bigger leash — The Gladiators track a Bulldog runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Big numbers — Sampson and Tyler are proud members of Italy’s “sack attack” defense.

Big numbers — Sampson and Tyler are proud members of Italy’s “sack attack” defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: “Let’s try a pass.” — Coach Josh Ward instructs the Junior High team.

“Let’s try a pass.” — Coach Josh Ward instructs the Junior High team. (Barry Byers)

Image: War paint — John Escamilla is ready to get muddy.

War paint — John Escamilla is ready to get muddy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Be the ball… — Coach Robert Sollers offers advice to quarterback Eric Carson. Carson scored the only touchdown for Italy during the game.

Be the ball… — Coach Robert Sollers offers advice to quarterback Eric Carson. Carson scored the only touchdown for Italy during the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Dawson is denied — Italy tries to keep the Bulldogs out of the endzone.

Dawson is denied — Italy tries to keep the Bulldogs out of the endzone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Do your job! — Coach Robert Sollers tries to point linebacker Zain Byers in the right direction.

Do your job! — Coach Robert Sollers tries to point linebacker Zain Byers in the right direction. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody contemplates — Cody Medrano thinks about the upcoming play call.

Cody contemplates — Cody Medrano thinks about the upcoming play call. (Barry Byers)

Image: Larry’s lil’ linebacker — Darol Mayberry provided the hit of the game making his dad, Larry Mayberry, happy.

Larry’s lil’ linebacker — Darol Mayberry provided the hit of the game making his dad, Larry Mayberry, happy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coaches observe — Coaches Josh Ward and Kyle Holley survey the action on the field.

Coaches observe — Coaches Josh Ward and Kyle Holley survey the action on the field. (Barry Byers)

Image: We’re Great! — The Italy Junior High Cheerleaders pose between cheers.

We’re Great! — The Italy Junior High Cheerleaders pose between cheers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fence fanatics — Bang, Larry and Erwin enjoy the game.

Fence fanatics — Bang, Larry and Erwin enjoy the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Load up! — The Italy JH Gladiators head for the bus after playing Dawson to a tie, 6-6.

Load up! — The Italy JH Gladiators head for the bus after playing Dawson to a tie, 6-6. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody’s covered — A little mud goes a long way when you’re a Gladiator.

Cody’s covered — A little mud goes a long way when you’re a Gladiator. (Barry Byers)

Image: Father and Son — Trevon Robertson with his dad.

Father and Son — Trevon Robertson with his dad. (Barry Byers)

Image: All aboard! — Tristan and his teammates board the bus back to Italy.

All aboard! — Tristan and his teammates board the bus back to Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shields of Dreams — The Italy JH Gladiators tied the Dawson Bulldogs 6-6 Thursday in Dawson.

Shields of Dreams — The Italy JH Gladiators tied the Dawson Bulldogs 6-6 Thursday in Dawson. (Barry Byers)

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