Gladiators struggle to slow down Mart’s highlight reel offense

Image: Jasenio Anderson leads Italy’s offense downfield against Mart — The Italy Gladiators had tough sledding against the Mart Panthers defense throughout Friday night’s game. However, Italy’s quarterback Jasenio Anderson tallied one rushing touchdown and passed for another.

Jasenio Anderson leads Italy’s offense downfield against Mart — The Italy Gladiators had tough sledding against the Mart Panthers defense throughout Friday night’s game. However, Italy’s quarterback Jasenio Anderson tallied one rushing touchdown and passed for another. (Barry Byers)

Image: That’s the spot — Corrin Frazier(25) stretches before the game against Mart at Willis Field in Italy.

That’s the spot — Corrin Frazier(25) stretches before the game against Mart at Willis Field in Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Game time — Italy’s offensive line consisting of Larry Mayberry, Bobby Wilson, Ethan Simon, Omar Estrada and Brandon Souder fire off the ball during warmups.

Game time — Italy’s offensive line consisting of Larry Mayberry, Bobby Wilson, Ethan Simon, Omar Estrada and Brandon Souder fire off the ball during warmups. (Barry Byers)

Image: Six for 6-points — Jase Holden(6) goes thru drills before the game and later hauled in a touchdown pass for 6-points in the second quarter.

Six for 6-points — Jase Holden(6) goes thru drills before the game and later hauled in a touchdown pass for 6-points in the second quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: The arsenal — Kyle Wilkins(7), Jasenio Anderson(11), Heath Clemons(2) and Devonta Simmons(9) will each play major roles in Italy’s success this season.

The arsenal — Kyle Wilkins(7), Jasenio Anderson(11), Heath Clemons(2) and Devonta Simmons(9) will each play major roles in Italy’s success this season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Breaking out — Italy’s offense breaks the huddle in anticipation of breaking thru Mart’s defense.

Breaking out — Italy’s offense breaks the huddle in anticipation of breaking thru Mart’s defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Taylor Turner — IHS Cheerleader Taylor Turner looks forward to taking on the Panthers.

Taylor Turner — IHS Cheerleader Taylor Turner looks forward to taking on the Panthers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rossa gets ready — IHS Cheerleader Kaitlyn Rossa performs a pre-game cheer.

Rossa gets ready — IHS Cheerleader Kaitlyn Rossa performs a pre-game cheer. (Barry Byers)

Image: View from the band’s stand — Members of the Gladiator Regiment Band, Kaytlyn Bales and Melissa Smithey, check out the Panthers band and cheerleaders.

View from the band’s stand — Members of the Gladiator Regiment Band, Kaytlyn Bales and Melissa Smithey, check out the Panthers band and cheerleaders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Pre-game show — Game announcer Richard Dabney, Paul “Mr. Personality” Cockerham and Greg Richards get settled inside the press box that overlooks Willis Field.

Pre-game show — Game announcer Richard Dabney, Paul “Mr. Personality” Cockerham and Greg Richards get settled inside the press box that overlooks Willis Field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Meagan is cheerful — IHS Cheerleader Meagan Hooker gets ready to root for the Gladiators and that special someone.

Meagan is cheerful — IHS Cheerleader Meagan Hooker gets ready to root for the Gladiators and that special someone. (Barry Byers)

Image: With oomph! — The Gladiator Regiment Band performs the Gladiator School Song before the game as prompted by Drum Major Jessica Hernandez.

With oomph! — The Gladiator Regiment Band performs the Gladiator School Song before the game as prompted by Drum Major Jessica Hernandez. (Barry Byers)

Image: Can you see? — IHS Cheerleaders Beverly Barnhart, Anna Viers, Mary Tate and Kaitlyn Rossa get in line for the National Anthem.

Can you see? — IHS Cheerleaders Beverly Barnhart, Anna Viers, Mary Tate and Kaitlyn Rossa get in line for the National Anthem. (Barry Byers)

Image: Larry attacks — Italy’s Larry Mayberry(77) brushes off a Panther block on his way to Mart’s quarterback.

Larry attacks — Italy’s Larry Mayberry(77) brushes off a Panther block on his way to Mart’s quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: The pursuit

The pursuit (Barry Byers)

Image: She’s a hoot! — IHS Cheerleader Morgan Cockerham puts on her happy face during the game.

She’s a hoot! — IHS Cheerleader Morgan Cockerham puts on her happy face during the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: We got him! — Gladiator defenders Ethan Saxon(44), Omar Estrada(56), Bobby Wilson(64), Corrin Frazier(25) and Ethan Simon(50) pile on a Panther runner.

We got him! — Gladiator defenders Ethan Saxon(44), Omar Estrada(56), Bobby Wilson(64), Corrin Frazier(25) and Ethan Simon(50) pile on a Panther runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: I got an idea! — Corrin Frazier(25), Heath Clemons(2) and Eddie Garcie(8) formulate a plan on the sideline.

I got an idea! — Corrin Frazier(25), Heath Clemons(2) and Eddie Garcie(8) formulate a plan on the sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: I see you — Defensive lineman Bobby Wilson(64) digs in as teammate Heath Clemons(2) keeps a close watch on the Panther’s backfield.

I see you — Defensive lineman Bobby Wilson(64) digs in as teammate Heath Clemons(2) keeps a close watch on the Panther’s backfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mary Tate — IHS Cheerleader Mary Tate keeps the spirit up on the Italy sideline.

Mary Tate — IHS Cheerleader Mary Tate keeps the spirit up on the Italy sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hanging on — Heath Clemons(2) tries to drag down a Panther from behind while Ethan Saxon(44) hurries in to assist.

Hanging on — Heath Clemons(2) tries to drag down a Panther from behind while Ethan Saxon(44) hurries in to assist. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sierra and Anna — IHS Cheerleaders Sierra Harris and Anna Viers show no signs of worry during the game.

Sierra and Anna — IHS Cheerleaders Sierra Harris and Anna Viers show no signs of worry during the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: The missing piece — Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) adds another weapon to the talented cast of Gladiators.

The missing piece — Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) adds another weapon to the talented cast of Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Be the ball — Receiver Devonta Simmons(9) will try to blend with ball against Palmer on Friday.

Be the ball — Receiver Devonta Simmons(9) will try to blend with ball against Palmer on Friday. (Barry Byers)

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