Italy’s JH & JV squads cast their shadows beyond the county line

Image: Ryan Connor(17) tries to break away from the Mustangs — Italy’s Junior High quarterback Ryan Connor(17) follows the lead block of Coby Bland(10) thru a herd of Red Oak Life Mustang defenders in Dallas.

Ryan Connor(17) tries to break away from the Mustangs — Italy’s Junior High quarterback Ryan Connor(17) follows the lead block of Coby Bland(10) thru a herd of Red Oak Life Mustang defenders in Dallas.

Image: Pumped up — 8th grader John Escamilla(7) plans on flexing his muscle against the Mustangs.

Pumped up — 8th grader John Escamilla(7) plans on flexing his muscle against the Mustangs.

Image: Ty’s confident — Ty Windham(36) has no worries during the game.

Ty’s confident — Ty Windham(36) has no worries during the game.

Image: Bring ’em on! — Carl Jaynes shows his blood, sweat and braces against the Mustangs.

Bring ’em on! — Carl Jaynes shows his blood, sweat and braces against the Mustangs.

Image: Tony Wilson — Tony Wilson plays in the secondary for Italy’s Junior High Gladiators.

Tony Wilson — Tony Wilson plays in the secondary for Italy’s Junior High Gladiators.

Image: John & Tyler — John Byers and Tyler Vincell tried to corral the Mustangs on Thursday.

John & Tyler — John Byers and Tyler Vincell tried to corral the Mustangs on Thursday.

Image: “Here, horsey.” — Kelton Bales(60), John Byers(56) and Colton Petrey(9) chase a Mustang running wild.

“Here, horsey.” — Kelton Bales(60), John Byers(56) and Colton Petrey(9) chase a Mustang running wild.

Image: K’Breona and Amber — K’Breona Davis and Amber Hooker have fun while cheering for the Gladiators.

K’Breona and Amber — K’Breona Davis and Amber Hooker have fun while cheering for the Gladiators.

Image: Father and son — Kelton Bales(60) is the son of Italy’s Athletic Director and Varsity Head Coach Craig Bales who offers some advice to his boy.

Father and son — Kelton Bales(60) is the son of Italy’s Athletic Director and Varsity Head Coach Craig Bales who offers some advice to his boy.

Image: Boxy ladies — Cheerleaders Brit Chambers and Sarah Coleman may need a bigger box.

Boxy ladies — Cheerleaders Brit Chambers and Sarah Coleman may need a bigger box.

Image: Game of inches — Italy’s Colton Petrey and Chace McGinnis try to drag down this Mustang runner before he can cross the goal line.

Game of inches — Italy’s Colton Petrey and Chace McGinnis try to drag down this Mustang runner before he can cross the goal line.

Image: Casting a shadow — The Gladiators and their cheerleaders cast their shadows beyond the Ellis County line.

Casting a shadow — The Gladiators and their cheerleaders cast their shadows beyond the Ellis County line.

Image: In the huddle — Ryan Connor and Chace McGinnis listen to every word spoken by Coach Josh Ward.

In the huddle — Ryan Connor and Chace McGinnis listen to every word spoken by Coach Josh Ward.

Image: Yell it proud! — Sarah Coleman cheers for the Gladiators loud and proud!

Yell it proud! — Sarah Coleman cheers for the Gladiators loud and proud!

Image: I am Gladiator — Italy’s Brandon Skaggs looks forward to the next game.

I am Gladiator — Italy’s Brandon Skaggs looks forward to the next game.

Image: Green loves the Gold — Gladiator fan Erwin Green enjoys watching Italy’s players play, particularly his grandson Eric Carson who is a freshman on the JV squad.

Green loves the Gold — Gladiator fan Erwin Green enjoys watching Italy’s players play, particularly his grandson Eric Carson who is a freshman on the JV squad.

Image: Attack mode — Italy’s Hank Seabolt(76), Kevin Roldan(60) and Jake Escamilla(66) put pressure on the Mustang quarterback during the JV game.

Attack mode — Italy’s Hank Seabolt(76), Kevin Roldan(60) and Jake Escamilla(66) put pressure on the Mustang quarterback during the JV game.

Image: Trevon scores — Trevon Robertson(9) catches his first of two touchdown catches against the Mustangs.

Trevon scores — Trevon Robertson(9) catches his first of two touchdown catches against the Mustangs.

Image: Together we can — Amber Hooker and Madison Washington cheer on the Gladiators.

Together we can — Amber Hooker and Madison Washington cheer on the Gladiators.

Image: Now that’s spirit — Halee Turner leaps for joy.

Now that’s spirit — Halee Turner leaps for joy.

Image: Got your back — Linebackers Tony Wooldridge(6) and Cody Medrano(75) backup Italy’s defensive line.

Got your back — Linebackers Tony Wooldridge(6) and Cody Medrano(75) backup Italy’s defensive line.

Image: So innocent — K’Breona Davis tries to hide the fact she’s ecstatic that Italy’s JV team beat the Mustangs.

So innocent — K’Breona Davis tries to hide the fact she’s ecstatic that Italy’s JV team beat the Mustangs.

Image: Darol Mayberry — Darol is a Gladiator and he has the helmet scars to prove it.

Darol Mayberry — Darol is a Gladiator and he has the helmet scars to prove it.

Image: Cowboy up! — You only need one Texas Ranger to stop a riot while Italy’s Hank Seabolt is all we needed to get a riot started in the Mustangs backfield.

Cowboy up! — You only need one Texas Ranger to stop a riot while Italy’s Hank Seabolt is all we needed to get a riot started in the Mustangs backfield.

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