The Italy Gladiators punish the Palmer Bulldogs 27-7

Image: Italy’s Corrin Frazier intercepts a pass against the Palmer Bulldogs — Italy Gladiator Corrin Frazier(25) intercepts an arrant Palmer pass and advances the ball to the Bulldog 35-yard line as teammate Heath Clemons(2) looks for a Bulldog to block. Frazier also had a pass deflection, two tackles and recovered the second half kickoff after the Bulldogs fumbled to help lead Italy to a 27-7 win over Palmer.

Italy’s Corrin Frazier intercepts a pass against the Palmer Bulldogs — Italy Gladiator Corrin Frazier(25) intercepts an arrant Palmer pass and advances the ball to the Bulldog 35-yard line as teammate Heath Clemons(2) looks for a Bulldog to block. Frazier also had a pass deflection, two tackles and recovered the second half kickoff after the Bulldogs fumbled to help lead Italy to a 27-7 win over Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Image: 2 and a half cheers — Italy High School Cheerleaders Sierra Harris on the left and Beverly Barnhart on the right await the second half arrival of the Gladiators. Oh, that’s Anna Viers posing in the background

2 and a half cheers — Italy High School Cheerleaders Sierra Harris on the left and Beverly Barnhart on the right await the second half arrival of the Gladiators. Oh, that’s Anna Viers posing in the background (Barry Byers)

Image: IYAA Tunnel Crew — Representing the IYAA and entrusted with the tunnel inflation the Gladiators run under and out of before each half are Mark Buchanan and Darla & Gary Woods. The Gladiator Tunnel was graciously donated by Keith Davis.

IYAA Tunnel Crew — Representing the IYAA and entrusted with the tunnel inflation the Gladiators run under and out of before each half are Mark Buchanan and Darla & Gary Woods. The Gladiator Tunnel was graciously donated by Keith Davis. (Barry Byers)

Image: Crossing the line — Italy’s Larry Mayberry(77), Jacob Lopez(52) , Ethan Simon(50) and receiver Devonta Simmons(9) cross the line and get over a hurdle against the Palmer Bulldogs.

Crossing the line — Italy’s Larry Mayberry(77), Jacob Lopez(52) , Ethan Simon(50) and receiver Devonta Simmons(9) cross the line and get over a hurdle against the Palmer Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Larry protects Jasenio — Right offensive tackle Larry Mayberry(77) attempts to keep his quarterback safe.

Larry protects Jasenio — Right offensive tackle Larry Mayberry(77) attempts to keep his quarterback safe. (Barry Byers)

Image: Down the sideline — Gladiator quarterback Jasenio Anderson(11) picks up extra yards thanks to the downfield blocking heroics of De’Andre Sephus(20).

Down the sideline — Gladiator quarterback Jasenio Anderson(11) picks up extra yards thanks to the downfield blocking heroics of De’Andre Sephus(20). (Barry Byers)

Image: There goes Jamal! — Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) takes the handoff from Jasenio Aderson(11) and follows blockers Ethan Saxon(44) and Brandon Souder(63).

There goes Jamal! — Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) takes the handoff from Jasenio Aderson(11) and follows blockers Ethan Saxon(44) and Brandon Souder(63). (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle kicks it into gear — Kyle Wilkins(7) finds a running lane and turns Palmer’s football field into a track race.

Kyle kicks it into gear — Kyle Wilkins(7) finds a running lane and turns Palmer’s football field into a track race. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase gets yardage — Jase Holden(6) hauls in a pass, picks up a downfield block from De’Andre Sephus(20) and picks up 9-yards on first down.

Jase gets yardage — Jase Holden(6) hauls in a pass, picks up a downfield block from De’Andre Sephus(20) and picks up 9-yards on first down. (Barry Byers)

Image: Six short of sticks — Jase Holden(6) gets knocked out just short of the sticks for a 9-yard pass reception.

Six short of sticks — Jase Holden(6) gets knocked out just short of the sticks for a 9-yard pass reception. (Barry Byers)

Image: Nose dive — Jasenio Anderson(11) strectches for one more yard.

Nose dive — Jasenio Anderson(11) strectches for one more yard. (Barry Byers)

Image: Going for 6 — Jase Holden(6) collects another pass from Anderson and fights his way to the 1-yard line hoping to add 6-more points on the guest side of the scoreboard.

Going for 6 — Jase Holden(6) collects another pass from Anderson and fights his way to the 1-yard line hoping to add 6-more points on the guest side of the scoreboard. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lopez blocks — Offensive guard Jacob Lopez(52) leads the way for Jasenio Anderson(11).

Lopez blocks — Offensive guard Jacob Lopez(52) leads the way for Jasenio Anderson(11). (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator shields — The Italy defensive line anchored by Bobby Wilson(64), nose tackle Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) and right tackle Omar Estrada(56) get the job done against the Bulldogs.

Gladiator shields — The Italy defensive line anchored by Bobby Wilson(64), nose tackle Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) and right tackle Omar Estrada(56) get the job done against the Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Beat of Champions — Assistant Drum major Drenda Burk helps guide the Gladiator Regiment Band during the playing of Green Onions.

Beat of Champions — Assistant Drum major Drenda Burk helps guide the Gladiator Regiment Band during the playing of Green Onions. (Barry Byers)

Image: We salute you! — Assistant drum major Drenda Burke and drum major Jessica Hernandez salute during halftime of the rivalry battle between Italy and Palmer.

We salute you! — Assistant drum major Drenda Burke and drum major Jessica Hernandez salute during halftime of the rivalry battle between Italy and Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Trumpeters blare away — Marisela Perez, Reid Jacinto and his cousin Michael “Taz” Martinez show Palmer’s fans how to peel green onions.

Trumpeters blare away — Marisela Perez, Reid Jacinto and his cousin Michael “Taz” Martinez show Palmer’s fans how to peel green onions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Old gold is going green — Italy’s Flag Corp: L-R Bianca Evans, Nikki Brashear, Megan Buchanan and director Tina Richards.

Old gold is going green — Italy’s Flag Corp: L-R Bianca Evans, Nikki Brashear, Megan Buchanan and director Tina Richards. (Barry Byers)

Image: They’ll never expect it! — Jase Holden(6) gets the play call from head coach Craig Bales during Friday’s game against Palmer.

They’ll never expect it! — Jase Holden(6) gets the play call from head coach Craig Bales during Friday’s game against Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Image: In the Red Zone — Italy’s De’Andre Sephus(20) catches a 26-yard pass before being tackled by a Bulldog defender in the second half.

In the Red Zone — Italy’s De’Andre Sephus(20) catches a 26-yard pass before being tackled by a Bulldog defender in the second half. (Barry Byers)

Image: Looking to pass? — Italy’s Omar Estrada(56) throws a block and Kyle Jackson(28) heads downfield while quarterback Jasenio Anderson rolls out to pass…or is he?

Looking to pass? — Italy’s Omar Estrada(56) throws a block and Kyle Jackson(28) heads downfield while quarterback Jasenio Anderson rolls out to pass…or is he? (Barry Byers)

Image: Simon sacks — Gladiator linebacker Ethan Simon sacks Palmer’s quarterback.

Simon sacks — Gladiator linebacker Ethan Simon sacks Palmer’s quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: School spirit — Gladiators Corrin Frazier(25), Brandon Souder(63) and Paul Harris(88) support school spirit during the Gladiator Regiments Band playing of the school song after Italy pounded the Bulldogs 27-7.

School spirit — Gladiators Corrin Frazier(25), Brandon Souder(63) and Paul Harris(88) support school spirit during the Gladiator Regiments Band playing of the school song after Italy pounded the Bulldogs 27-7. (Barry Byers)

Image: Celebrating with family — Gladiator athletic director and head football coach Craig Bales visits with his wife Jenny Bales and his mother Mary Bales after the win over Palmer. Kix Bales was unavailable for comment.

Celebrating with family — Gladiator athletic director and head football coach Craig Bales visits with his wife Jenny Bales and his mother Mary Bales after the win over Palmer. Kix Bales was unavailable for comment. (Barry Byers)

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