Palmer avoids the wrath of Italy’s Junior High football team

Image: Heavy rains spare Palmer from Italy’s talented Junior High team — John Escamilla(1) hands off to Coby Bland(66) during Thursday’s practice. The Italy Junior High made the most of the day despite having their scrimmage against Palmer cancelled after heavy rains earlier in the week soaked Willis Field.

Heavy rains spare Palmer from Italy’s talented Junior High team — John Escamilla(1) hands off to Coby Bland(66) during Thursday’s practice. The Italy Junior High made the most of the day despite having their scrimmage against Palmer cancelled after heavy rains earlier in the week soaked Willis Field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Step one — Line coach Stephen Coleman directs the “bigs” on proper blocking assignments.

Step one — Line coach Stephen Coleman directs the “bigs” on proper blocking assignments. (Barry Byers)

Image: The tough catch — The receivers are making the tough catches during practice.

The tough catch — The receivers are making the tough catches during practice. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brandon on defense — Brandon Connor works out on the defensive side of the ball.

Brandon on defense — Brandon Connor works out on the defensive side of the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: The veteran — Kelton Bales brings experience and leadership to the 8th grade line.

The veteran — Kelton Bales brings experience and leadership to the 8th grade line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Crunch time — J.T. Escamilla tests the defense.

Crunch time — J.T. Escamilla tests the defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Making room — The offensive line tries to make running room for the backfield.

Making room — The offensive line tries to make running room for the backfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Snarling — Cody Boyd had his game face ready but the scrimmage against Palmer was cancelled after a hard rain.

Snarling — Cody Boyd had his game face ready but the scrimmage against Palmer was cancelled after a hard rain. (Barry Byers)

Image: On the charge — Ty Windham looks like a linebacker.

On the charge — Ty Windham looks like a linebacker. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cousins collide — Brandon Connor gives his quarterbacking cousin Ryan Connor a love tap.

Cousins collide — Brandon Connor gives his quarterbacking cousin Ryan Connor a love tap. (Barry Byers)

Image: Thru the air — Ryan Connor throws the deep ball.

Thru the air — Ryan Connor throws the deep ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Going deep — John Escamilla steps into the pass.

Going deep — John Escamilla steps into the pass. (Barry Byers)

Image: Speed and toughness — Chace McGinnis is a deep pass threat for the 8th grade squad.

Speed and toughness — Chace McGinnis is a deep pass threat for the 8th grade squad. (Barry Byers)

Image: Huddle on me! — Coach Josh Ward talks with the team after practice.

Huddle on me! — Coach Josh Ward talks with the team after practice. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fierce face — Cody Boyd embodies the spirit of Italy’s Junior High Football team.

Fierce face — Cody Boyd embodies the spirit of Italy’s Junior High Football team. (Barry Byers)

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