The Gladiators’ first day in full pads a smashing success

Image: Chaos and carnage: The Gladiators go full armor — Gladiator Kyle Wilkins tries to bust thru the line during a 3-on-3 drill.

Chaos and carnage: The Gladiators go full armor — Gladiator Kyle Wilkins tries to bust thru the line during a 3-on-3 drill. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clack! — Linebackers Kyle Wilkins and Ethan Simon collide during a form tackling drill.

Clack! — Linebackers Kyle Wilkins and Ethan Simon collide during a form tackling drill. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ethan’s turn — Ethan Simon wraps up Kyle Wilkins.

Ethan’s turn — Ethan Simon wraps up Kyle Wilkins. (Barry Byers)

Image: Earhole — #20 earholes a teammate during a 3-on-3 full contact drill.

Earhole — #20 earholes a teammate during a 3-on-3 full contact drill. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ground game — Jasenio Anderson tries to lean over a pile created by Larry Mayberry and Zain Byers(62).

Ground game — Jasenio Anderson tries to lean over a pile created by Larry Mayberry and Zain Byers(62). (Barry Byers)

Image: Nice tackle — Jasenio Anderson takes a teammate down outside the boundaries.

Nice tackle — Jasenio Anderson takes a teammate down outside the boundaries. (Barry Byers)

Image: Squeezing thru — Kevin Roldan makes room for Chase Hamilton.

Squeezing thru — Kevin Roldan makes room for Chase Hamilton. (Barry Byers)

Image: Total effort — Cody Medrano makes a leaping effort to snag Eric Carson.

Total effort — Cody Medrano makes a leaping effort to snag Eric Carson. (Barry Byers)

Image: The look of champions — They team had a much different glare in their eyes after the 3-on-3 drill.

The look of champions — They team had a much different glare in their eyes after the 3-on-3 drill. (Barry Byers)

Image: Visualize and attack — Larry Mayberry is ready for the snap.

Visualize and attack — Larry Mayberry is ready for the snap. (Barry Byers)

Image: Making sure — Wreckless abandonment. Kyle Jackson dives on to ensure the tackle has been made.

Making sure — Wreckless abandonment. Kyle Jackson dives on to ensure the tackle has been made. (Barry Byers)

Image: Searching for daylight — Eric Carson(11) tries to wiggle his way thru the defense.

Searching for daylight — Eric Carson(11) tries to wiggle his way thru the defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Big Dawg — Bobby Wilson brings skill and toughness to the Gladiator line.

Big Dawg — Bobby Wilson brings skill and toughness to the Gladiator line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ironman — Jasenio Anderson swoops in on defense.

Ironman — Jasenio Anderson swoops in on defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan — Freshman Kevin Roldan studies the play.

Kevin Roldan — Freshman Kevin Roldan studies the play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach calls play — Coach Erik Wilson shows a running play to the JV huddle.

Coach calls play — Coach Erik Wilson shows a running play to the JV huddle. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tony is tough — J.V. sophomore quarterback Tony Wooldrige(4) gets mowed over by Italy’s Varsity.

Tony is tough — J.V. sophomore quarterback Tony Wooldrige(4) gets mowed over by Italy’s Varsity.

Image: “Big” Boykin — Zack Boykin hustles into the huddle.

“Big” Boykin — Zack Boykin hustles into the huddle. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mr. Quarterback — Jasenio Anderson plans to lead the Gladiators to a district title.

Mr. Quarterback — Jasenio Anderson plans to lead the Gladiators to a district title. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hank Seabolt — Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Hank Seabolt — Be afraid. Be very afraid. (Barry Byers)

Image: Beast and Mini Beast — Jasenio Anderson and Eric Carson listen to defensive coordinator Jeff Richters’ thoughts of wisdom.

Beast and Mini Beast — Jasenio Anderson and Eric Carson listen to defensive coordinator Jeff Richters’ thoughts of wisdom. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sneak attack — Justin Buchanan catches coach Josh Ward from behind with a water balloon.

Sneak attack — Justin Buchanan catches coach Josh Ward from behind with a water balloon. (Barry Byers)

Image: Duck! — Line coach Stephen Coleman tries to avoid the onslaught of water balloons thrown by Jase Holden and his teammates.

Duck! — Line coach Stephen Coleman tries to avoid the onslaught of water balloons thrown by Jase Holden and his teammates. (Barry Byers)

Image: With honors… — Clash of the Gladiators. The first day of full pads was electrifying.

With honors… — Clash of the Gladiators. The first day of full pads was electrifying. (Barry Byers)

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