Italy Gladiators finish with pride against Lovelady Lions

Image: Gladiators take the field trying to make believers out of Lovelady — The Italy High School Gladiators traveled to Fairfield Friday night to square off with Lovelady Lions in their first playoff game. In the first quarter, Italy dominated the scoreboard but by the end of the first half, the Lions were taking care of business. The final score was 52-21, Lions.

Gladiators take the field trying to make believers out of Lovelady — The Italy High School Gladiators traveled to Fairfield Friday night to square off with Lovelady Lions in their first playoff game. In the first quarter, Italy dominated the scoreboard but by the end of the first half, the Lions were taking care of business. The final score was 52-21, Lions. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Everybody block! — #11 Jasenio Anderson passes on the play to #50 Ethan Simon and the rest of the Gladiator offense.

Everybody block! — #11 Jasenio Anderson passes on the play to #50 Ethan Simon and the rest of the Gladiator offense. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Our yell-leader, Bryant — During half-time Friday night, Bryant Cockran let’s it all out by roaring louder than the Lions.

Our yell-leader, Bryant — During half-time Friday night, Bryant Cockran let’s it all out by roaring louder than the Lions. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Lions on the run — The Gladiators jumped out to a 14-0 lead but Lovelady quarterback #8 Jordy Denson and his offense eventually ran away with the game 52-21 as Ethan Simon(50) and Zachery Hernandez(63) tried to chase him down.

Lions on the run — The Gladiators jumped out to a 14-0 lead but Lovelady quarterback #8 Jordy Denson and his offense eventually ran away with the game 52-21 as Ethan Simon(50) and Zachery Hernandez(63) tried to chase him down.

Image: On the move — #11 Jasenio Anderson breaks out of the pack of Lions as he looks for an open receiver.

On the move — #11 Jasenio Anderson breaks out of the pack of Lions as he looks for an open receiver.

Image: Where’s the ball? — Lovelady’s offense kept the Gladiators guessing on defense.

Where’s the ball? — Lovelady’s offense kept the Gladiators guessing on defense.

Image: Can’t cage the Lions — Lovelady’s #8 Jordy Denson gets into the endzone on another quarterback keeper while Gladiators’ Ross Enriquez(55), Jonathan Nash(65), Ethan Simon(50) and John Isaac(10) did their best to stop him.

Can’t cage the Lions — Lovelady’s #8 Jordy Denson gets into the endzone on another quarterback keeper while Gladiators’ Ross Enriquez(55), Jonathan Nash(65), Ethan Simon(50) and John Isaac(10) did their best to stop him.

Image: Anderson to pass — Italy’s #60 Ivan Roldan tries to keep the Lion’s aggressive defensive line off of #11 Jasenio Anderson’s back.

Anderson to pass — Italy’s #60 Ivan Roldan tries to keep the Lion’s aggressive defensive line off of #11 Jasenio Anderson’s back.

Image: Let’s go Italy! — The IHS Cheerleaders and Mascots cheer on the team.

Let’s go Italy! — The IHS Cheerleaders and Mascots cheer on the team. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Pass the syrup — #11 Jasenio Anderson keeps up the middle while his offensive line registers three pancake blocks on the play.

Pass the syrup — #11 Jasenio Anderson keeps up the middle while his offensive line registers three pancake blocks on the play.

Image: Go Senio! — #11 Jasenio Anderson tries to turn the corner against the Lions defense.

Go Senio! — #11 Jasenio Anderson tries to turn the corner against the Lions defense.

Image: Follow me… — #8 Desmond Anderson tries to pick his way down the sideline behind big #77 Larry Mayberry.

Follow me… — #8 Desmond Anderson tries to pick his way down the sideline behind big #77 Larry Mayberry.

Image: #70’s spirit — In honor of Bobby Itson, each Gladiator wore #70 on their helmets.

#70’s spirit — In honor of Bobby Itson, each Gladiator wore #70 on their helmets. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Playoff T-shirt — Kelton Bales takes a moment to show off his Playoff shirt.

Playoff T-shirt — Kelton Bales takes a moment to show off his Playoff shirt. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Pump up the volume — #25 Corrin Frazier had the crowd shouting for the Gladiators.

Pump up the volume — #25 Corrin Frazier had the crowd shouting for the Gladiators. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Zach flattens a Lion — Italy’s Zach Hernandez(63) tries to block the Lion’s field goal attempt.

Zach flattens a Lion — Italy’s Zach Hernandez(63) tries to block the Lion’s field goal attempt.

Image: Isaac is elusive — The Lions struggle to get a handle on #10 John Isaac.

Isaac is elusive — The Lions struggle to get a handle on #10 John Isaac.

Image: Anderson waves bye — #63 Zach Hernandez and #2 Heath Clemons try to spring #11 Jasenio Anderson into the open field.

Anderson waves bye — #63 Zach Hernandez and #2 Heath Clemons try to spring #11 Jasenio Anderson into the open field.

Image: Senio roars past Lions — The Lion’s defense had Italy quarterback #11 Jasenio Anderson marked as their prey.

Senio roars past Lions — The Lion’s defense had Italy quarterback #11 Jasenio Anderson marked as their prey.

Image: Out to Desmond — #11 Jasenio Anderson swings a pass out to his cousin #8 Desmond Anderson while #63 Zach Hernandez rumbles downfield to throw a block.

Out to Desmond — #11 Jasenio Anderson swings a pass out to his cousin #8 Desmond Anderson while #63 Zach Hernandez rumbles downfield to throw a block.

Image: John gets open — Italy’s #10 John Isaac gets yards after the catch.

John gets open — Italy’s #10 John Isaac gets yards after the catch.

Image: It’s been a great season — Coach Bales and his assistant coaches take a moment at the end of the game to thank each Gladiator for a job well done. Here Coach Bales is thanking Zach Hernandez.

It’s been a great season — Coach Bales and his assistant coaches take a moment at the end of the game to thank each Gladiator for a job well done. Here Coach Bales is thanking Zach Hernandez. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Wait until next year — The coaches let the underclassmen know they are excited about the years to come.

Wait until next year — The coaches let the underclassmen know they are excited about the years to come. (Anne Sutherland)

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