Gladiators gear up for Playoffs, tune-up against Itasca

Image: Standing strong — Gladiator fans formed a spirit line to help inspire the team to rally in the second half. The Gladiators trailed 30-8 by the end of the third quarter, however, the final score was 30-26 with Italy coming up just short on their comeback effort.

Standing strong — Gladiator fans formed a spirit line to help inspire the team to rally in the second half. The Gladiators trailed 30-8 by the end of the third quarter, however, the final score was 30-26 with Italy coming up just short on their comeback effort. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Zach Hernandez — Senior Zach Hernandez is chilling before the Pep Rally on Friday.

Zach Hernandez — Senior Zach Hernandez is chilling before the Pep Rally on Friday.

Image: We love you so… — Kyle Wilkins(7), Kyle Jackson(28) and Bobby Wilson(64) unite for the school song.

We love you so… — Kyle Wilkins(7), Kyle Jackson(28) and Bobby Wilson(64) unite for the school song.

Image: A victory sounds good! — Destani, Lexie and Jaleecia lead a cheer during the Pep Rally as the Gladiator Regiment Band had their back.

A victory sounds good! — Destani, Lexie and Jaleecia lead a cheer during the Pep Rally as the Gladiator Regiment Band had their back.

Image: The front lines — Etan Simon(50) prepares to snap while guard ivan Roldan(60) and Tackle Larry Mayberry(77) get ready to fire off and block.

The front lines — Etan Simon(50) prepares to snap while guard ivan Roldan(60) and Tackle Larry Mayberry(77) get ready to fire off and block. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Go Kyle! — Sophomore Kyle Jackson(28) has added another dimension to the Gladiator offense.

Go Kyle! — Sophomore Kyle Jackson(28) has added another dimension to the Gladiator offense. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: What a play! — Quarterback Jasenio Anderson(11) avoids the sack and completes a pass to Heath Clemons(2) in the endzone for 6-points. The second quarter play made the score 16-6 in favor of Itasca.

What a play! — Quarterback Jasenio Anderson(11) avoids the sack and completes a pass to Heath Clemons(2) in the endzone for 6-points. The second quarter play made the score 16-6 in favor of Itasca. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Here they come… — The Gladiators came back strong after halftime despite being dow 16-8 at the break.

Here they come… — The Gladiators came back strong after halftime despite being dow 16-8 at the break. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Mascot mania! — Dan Crownover and Matt Brummett do a little spirit dance for the crowd.

Mascot mania! — Dan Crownover and Matt Brummett do a little spirit dance for the crowd. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Cat jumping — Italy’s kickoff unit tackles the Itasca runner before he can do any damage.

Cat jumping — Italy’s kickoff unit tackles the Itasca runner before he can do any damage. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Nowhere to hide — Jonathan Nash(65), Zach Hernandez(63), Bobby Wilson(64), Kyle Wilkins(7) and Ethan Simon(50) try to slow down Itasca’s speed backs.

Nowhere to hide — Jonathan Nash(65), Zach Hernandez(63), Bobby Wilson(64), Kyle Wilkins(7) and Ethan Simon(50) try to slow down Itasca’s speed backs. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Here, kitty, kitty… — Jonathan Nash(65), Zach Hernandez(63), Heath Clemons(2), Kyle Wilkins(7) and Jasenio Anderosn(11) converge on the Cats.

Here, kitty, kitty… — Jonathan Nash(65), Zach Hernandez(63), Heath Clemons(2), Kyle Wilkins(7) and Jasenio Anderosn(11) converge on the Cats. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Play action pass — Jasenio Anderson(11) drops back in the pocket and looks for an open receiver.

Play action pass — Jasenio Anderson(11) drops back in the pocket and looks for an open receiver. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Itasca blocks — Itasca’s Gregory Mason(13) knocks down a pass intended for Italy’s John Isaac(10) who was able to grab Mason’s arm to keep him from making the pick.

Itasca blocks — Itasca’s Gregory Mason(13) knocks down a pass intended for Italy’s John Isaac(10) who was able to grab Mason’s arm to keep him from making the pick. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Fourth Quarter — The Gladiators head Into the last quarter of the game against Itasca.

Fourth Quarter — The Gladiators head Into the last quarter of the game against Itasca. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Crowd noise! — The Gladiator fans continue to urge the team on to victory.

Crowd noise! — The Gladiator fans continue to urge the team on to victory. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Dez does it — Italy’s Senior Desmond Anderson(8) steps on the sideline after bringing in a pass from Junior Jasenio Anderson, Desmond’s cousin.

Dez does it — Italy’s Senior Desmond Anderson(8) steps on the sideline after bringing in a pass from Junior Jasenio Anderson, Desmond’s cousin. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Clemons confuses Cats — Heath Clemons(2) picks up nice yardage on a trick play by Italy.

Clemons confuses Cats — Heath Clemons(2) picks up nice yardage on a trick play by Italy. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Endzone battle — Jasenio Anderson runs the old “quarterback keeper” play toward Itasca’s endzone.

Endzone battle — Jasenio Anderson runs the old “quarterback keeper” play toward Itasca’s endzone. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: You’ve done well — Make no mistake, Coach Bales and his assistant coaches let the boys know they are ready for playoffs.

You’ve done well — Make no mistake, Coach Bales and his assistant coaches let the boys know they are ready for playoffs. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Jaleecia and Destani — Two friends take time for a photograph.

Jaleecia and Destani — Two friends take time for a photograph. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Still friends — Itasca’s Gregory Mason(13) and our boys Tavarus Griffin(85), Aaron Thomas(9), Jonothan Nash(65) and Desmond Anderson(8) are still friends long after the battle is over.

Still friends — Itasca’s Gregory Mason(13) and our boys Tavarus Griffin(85), Aaron Thomas(9), Jonothan Nash(65) and Desmond Anderson(8) are still friends long after the battle is over. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Playoff Bound — The Friday pep rally was a fun time for all as the Gladiators gear up for the playoffs.

Playoff Bound — The Friday pep rally was a fun time for all as the Gladiators gear up for the playoffs.

Image: Going toward Playoffs — The referee asks Coach Craig Bales which way is his team headed and Coach lets the ref know Italy’s headed to the playoffs. Italy will play Lovelady in Fairfield on Friday, November 13 starting at 7:30 p.m. – Go Gladiators!

Going toward Playoffs — The referee asks Coach Craig Bales which way is his team headed and Coach lets the ref know Italy’s headed to the playoffs. Italy will play Lovelady in Fairfield on Friday, November 13 starting at 7:30 p.m. – Go Gladiators! (Anne Sutherland)

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