Perception becoming reality; Gladiators power thru the Eagles

Image: Gladiator quarterback Jasenio Anderson wins wreck at goal line — Italy Gladiator quarterback Jasenio Anderson flies past Valley Mills defenders and then crashes thru an unlucky Eagle to put Italy up 1-0 during a scrimmage on Saturday in Valley Mills.

Gladiator quarterback Jasenio Anderson wins wreck at goal line — Italy Gladiator quarterback Jasenio Anderson flies past Valley Mills defenders and then crashes thru an unlucky Eagle to put Italy up 1-0 during a scrimmage on Saturday in Valley Mills. (Barry Byers)

Image: Aiming high — Jasenio Anderson adjust his sights to ensure precise aim before the scrimmage against Valley Mills.

Aiming high — Jasenio Anderson adjust his sights to ensure precise aim before the scrimmage against Valley Mills. (Barry Byers)

Image: Justin warms up

Justin warms up (Barry Byers)

Image: The opening snap

The opening snap (Barry Byers)

Image: A step ahead — Jasenio Anderson releases the pass before an Eagle defender can reach him.

A step ahead — Jasenio Anderson releases the pass before an Eagle defender can reach him. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle takes off — Kyle Wilkins takes the handoff from Jasenio Anderson.

Kyle takes off — Kyle Wilkins takes the handoff from Jasenio Anderson. (Barry Byers)

Image: Nice block — Lineman Omar Estrada pancakes an Eagle defender to create a running lane for Jasenio Anderson.

Nice block — Lineman Omar Estrada pancakes an Eagle defender to create a running lane for Jasenio Anderson. (Barry Byers)

Image: No escape — Corrin Frazier(33) and Larry Mayberry pursue as De’Andre Sephus drags down an Eagle runner.

No escape — Corrin Frazier(33) and Larry Mayberry pursue as De’Andre Sephus drags down an Eagle runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hanging on — Heath Clemons hangs on to the heel of an Eagle ground gainer as De’Andre Sephus(44) and Bobby Wilson(50) move in.

Hanging on — Heath Clemons hangs on to the heel of an Eagle ground gainer as De’Andre Sephus(44) and Bobby Wilson(50) move in. (Barry Byers)

Image: Larry fires off — Linebacker Ethan Saxon backs up Larry Mayberry(57) who charges into the Valley Mills backfield.

Larry fires off — Linebacker Ethan Saxon backs up Larry Mayberry(57) who charges into the Valley Mills backfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: High and low — Italy’s Justin Buchanan hangs on to this Eagle running back as De’Andre Sephus delivers a shot.

High and low — Italy’s Justin Buchanan hangs on to this Eagle running back as De’Andre Sephus delivers a shot. (Barry Byers)

Image: On the run — Italy’s Chase Hamilton(48), a sophomore, breaks away from the flock for a 49-yard gain.

On the run — Italy’s Chase Hamilton(48), a sophomore, breaks away from the flock for a 49-yard gain. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hide your eyes — The Valley Mills sideline struggles to watch as Italy’s explosive offense and running back Ethan Saxon continued to rumble down the field.

Hide your eyes — The Valley Mills sideline struggles to watch as Italy’s explosive offense and running back Ethan Saxon continued to rumble down the field. (Barry Byers)

Image: 2-0 Italy — Gladiators’ linemen Bobby Wilson(50) and Jacob Lopez push the Valley Mills defense back allowing Justin Buchanan to fight his way into the endzone for Italy’s second score of the scrimmage.

2-0 Italy — Gladiators’ linemen Bobby Wilson(50) and Jacob Lopez push the Valley Mills defense back allowing Justin Buchanan to fight his way into the endzone for Italy’s second score of the scrimmage. (Barry Byers)

Image: I got it! — Jacob Lopez recovers a fumble for coach Jeff Richters and the Gladiators defense.

I got it! — Jacob Lopez recovers a fumble for coach Jeff Richters and the Gladiators defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Closing the door — Kyle Jackson(33), Jacob Lopez(52) and Ethan Simon(60) converge on an Eagle running back.

Closing the door — Kyle Jackson(33), Jacob Lopez(52) and Ethan Simon(60) converge on an Eagle running back. (Barry Byers)

Image: Leading the way — Jasenio Anderson chops down an Eagle defender before Kyle Jackson(33) covered 65-yards for an apparent touchdown. Unfortunately, a clipping call on the Gladiators cancelled the effort.

Leading the way — Jasenio Anderson chops down an Eagle defender before Kyle Jackson(33) covered 65-yards for an apparent touchdown. Unfortunately, a clipping call on the Gladiators cancelled the effort. (Barry Byers)

Image: Out of bounds — Gladiators’ Heath Clemons and Ethan Saxon finish off an Eagle player forcing him out of bounds.

Out of bounds — Gladiators’ Heath Clemons and Ethan Saxon finish off an Eagle player forcing him out of bounds. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore connection — J.V. Quarterback Tony Wooldridge hands off to back Chase Hamilton(24) who cuts toward daylight.

Sophomore connection — J.V. Quarterback Tony Wooldridge hands off to back Chase Hamilton(24) who cuts toward daylight. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV packs a punch — Italy’s Justin Wood punches his way thru the Valley Mills defense. The Gladiator J.V. team also won 2-0 over the Eagles.

JV packs a punch — Italy’s Justin Wood punches his way thru the Valley Mills defense. The Gladiator J.V. team also won 2-0 over the Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Stuffed bird — Defensive end Bailey Walton stuffs the Eagles who tried to trick Italy’s JV team with a reverse.

Stuffed bird — Defensive end Bailey Walton stuffs the Eagles who tried to trick Italy’s JV team with a reverse. (Barry Byers)

Image: Like a hawk — Justin Wood tracks down an Eagle runner and tackles him by grabbing his wing.

Like a hawk — Justin Wood tracks down an Eagle runner and tackles him by grabbing his wing. (Barry Byers)

Image: Who is that? — The latest addition to the Gladiator roster is Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(17) who opened the JV game up with a 70-yard touchdown run. Above, Lewis avoids a tackle and trots in for Italy’s second score.

Who is that? — The latest addition to the Gladiator roster is Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(17) who opened the JV game up with a 70-yard touchdown run. Above, Lewis avoids a tackle and trots in for Italy’s second score. (Barry Byers)

Image: Exclamation point! — The Italy JV wraps up a strong outing as Paul Harris(88) makes a tackle in the Valley Mills backfield to end the scrimmage. Italy’s JV team outscored the Eagles 2-0 during the scrimmage.

Exclamation point! — The Italy JV wraps up a strong outing as Paul Harris(88) makes a tackle in the Valley Mills backfield to end the scrimmage. Italy’s JV team outscored the Eagles 2-0 during the scrimmage. (Barry Byers)

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