Maypearl wins season opener by a foot over Italy, 23-19

Image: Breaking tackles — Jasenio Anderson(11) sneaks thru the Panther line for valuable yardage.

Breaking tackles — Jasenio Anderson(11) sneaks thru the Panther line for valuable yardage. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) — Italy Gladiator newcomer Jalarnce Jamal Lewis #30 rushes 70-yards through the Maypearl Panther defense for a touchdown on Friday night.

Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) — Italy Gladiator newcomer Jalarnce Jamal Lewis #30 rushes 70-yards through the Maypearl Panther defense for a touchdown on Friday night. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Are you ready? — We’re ready for some football! Gladiators’ center Ethan Simon(50) leads Italy’s offense up to the line.

Are you ready? — We’re ready for some football! Gladiators’ center Ethan Simon(50) leads Italy’s offense up to the line. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Let’s do this! — The Gladiators break from their offensive huddle.

Let’s do this! — The Gladiators break from their offensive huddle.

Image: Defense! Defense! — Kyle Jackson(28), Ethan Saxon(44), Colton Campbell(3), Kyle Wilkins(7) and Justin Buchanan(10) try to read Maypearl’s backfield.

Defense! Defense! — Kyle Jackson(28), Ethan Saxon(44), Colton Campbell(3), Kyle Wilkins(7) and Justin Buchanan(10) try to read Maypearl’s backfield. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: On the hunt — Ethan Simon(50), Eddie Garcia(9), Tavarus Griffin(85), Jacob Lopez(52) and Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) are ready for the Panthers.

On the hunt — Ethan Simon(50), Eddie Garcia(9), Tavarus Griffin(85), Jacob Lopez(52) and Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) are ready for the Panthers. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: A Panther is loose — Maypearl’s quarterback Conner Vaughan(14) finds running room down the middle of the field.

A Panther is loose — Maypearl’s quarterback Conner Vaughan(14) finds running room down the middle of the field. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Help from friends — Italy’s Kyle Wilkins(7), Heath Clemons(2), Bobby Wilson(64) and Larry Mayberry(77) bring down Maypearl’s quarterback Conner Vaughan(14).

Help from friends — Italy’s Kyle Wilkins(7), Heath Clemons(2), Bobby Wilson(64) and Larry Mayberry(77) bring down Maypearl’s quarterback Conner Vaughan(14). (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Up and away — The Gladiators try to block a field goal kick by Maypearl’s Cody Aydelott.

Up and away — The Gladiators try to block a field goal kick by Maypearl’s Cody Aydelott. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: On the edge — Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) tries to round the corner against the Panthers.

On the edge — Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) tries to round the corner against the Panthers. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Gladiator mascot rules — Gladiator mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood helps keep that spirit up on the sidelines.

Gladiator mascot rules — Gladiator mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood helps keep that spirit up on the sidelines. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Pocket protection — Italy’s Brandon Souder(63), Omar Estrada(56), Ethan Simon(50), Jacob Lopez(52) and Kyle Jackson(28) create a pocket for their quarterback, Jasenio Anderson.

Pocket protection — Italy’s Brandon Souder(63), Omar Estrada(56), Ethan Simon(50), Jacob Lopez(52) and Kyle Jackson(28) create a pocket for their quarterback, Jasenio Anderson. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Ready for the kickoff — Place kicker Jasenio Anderson(11) signals the referees that the Gladiators are ready to boot the ball.

Ready for the kickoff — Place kicker Jasenio Anderson(11) signals the referees that the Gladiators are ready to boot the ball. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: IHS Cheerleaders — The 2010-11 IHS Cheerleaders are (L-R) Back row: Sa’Kendra Norwood, Morgan Cockerham, Beverly Barnhart, Mary Tate, Cassi Jeffords, Destani Anderson and Anna Viers (L-R) Front row: Sierra Harris, Taylor Turner and Haylee Love. Not pictured: Meagan Hooker and Kaitlin Rossa

IHS Cheerleaders — The 2010-11 IHS Cheerleaders are (L-R) Back row: Sa’Kendra Norwood, Morgan Cockerham, Beverly Barnhart, Mary Tate, Cassi Jeffords, Destani Anderson and Anna Viers
(L-R) Front row: Sierra Harris, Taylor Turner and Haylee Love. Not pictured: Meagan Hooker and Kaitlin Rossa (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Karen holds new flag — Nice and clean-the old gold never looked better. Karen Mathiowetz brings the flag for each game.

Karen holds new flag — Nice and clean-the old gold never looked better. Karen Mathiowetz brings the flag for each game. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Gladiator open! — Jasenio Anderson(11) prepares to throw a pass to Colton Campbell(3) as Maypearl Panthers stalk the play.

Gladiator open! — Jasenio Anderson(11) prepares to throw a pass to Colton Campbell(3) as Maypearl Panthers stalk the play. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Heath Clemons — Taking a quick break from the game, Clemons #2 rests and works out the cramps.

Heath Clemons — Taking a quick break from the game, Clemons #2 rests and works out the cramps. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Simon says — Gladiator Ethan Simon(50) cheers on his teammates.

Simon says — Gladiator Ethan Simon(50) cheers on his teammates. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eager Panther — Gladiator receiver Devonta Simmons(9) draws an interference call on the Panthers to give Italy a first down.

Eager Panther — Gladiator receiver Devonta Simmons(9) draws an interference call on the Panthers to give Italy a first down. (Barry Byers)

Image: Getting the first — Gladiator quarterback Jasenio Anderson(11) checks the first down marker.

Getting the first — Gladiator quarterback Jasenio Anderson(11) checks the first down marker. (Barry Byers)

Image: Let’s go Italy! — Beverly Barnhart and Meagan Hooker cheer on the Gladiators!

Let’s go Italy! — Beverly Barnhart and Meagan Hooker cheer on the Gladiators! (Barry Byers)

Image: 4th Quarter! — A long time tradition, everyone including the Gladiator Regiment Band holds up “4”, as the game moves into the final quarter.

4th Quarter! — A long time tradition, everyone including the Gladiator Regiment Band holds up “4”, as the game moves into the final quarter. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Old Gold and White — Still standing. The Italy Gladiators are ready to stand up to their next opponent.

Old Gold and White — Still standing. The Italy Gladiators are ready to stand up to their next opponent. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Be strong, men — Head Coach Craig Bales gives the players a little positive reinforcement after their tough season opening loss to Maypearl, 23-19.

Be strong, men — Head Coach Craig Bales gives the players a little positive reinforcement after their tough season opening loss to Maypearl, 23-19. (Anne Sutherland)

Return to story