Gladiators win fourth straight to start 1-0 in district

Image: Heath Clemons keeps the Gladiators on track against Lions — Italy’s Heath Clemons(2) steps in at quarterback for the Gladiators after Jasenio Anderson and a fellow teammate took an early exit from the game after an on-field altercation with the Blooming Grove Lions. Clemons received help from his comrades in holding off the Lions 48-34. Above, Clemons hands to Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) who follows Kyle Jackson(28), Jacob Lopez(52), Brandon Souder(63) and Devonta Simmons(9) downfield.

Heath Clemons keeps the Gladiators on track against Lions — Italy’s Heath Clemons(2) steps in at quarterback for the Gladiators after Jasenio Anderson and a fellow teammate took an early exit from the game after an on-field altercation with the Blooming Grove Lions. Clemons received help from his comrades in holding off the Lions 48-34. Above, Clemons hands to Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) who follows Kyle Jackson(28), Jacob Lopez(52), Brandon Souder(63) and Devonta Simmons(9) downfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jasenio gets ready — Jasenio Anderson(11) put in a solid effort with 82-yards rushing and 165-yards passing in a quarter and a half.

Jasenio gets ready — Jasenio Anderson(11) put in a solid effort with 82-yards rushing and 165-yards passing in a quarter and a half. (Barry Byers)

Image: Injured reserve — Justin Buchanan(10), Ethan Simon(44) and Colton Campbell(3) keep their spirits up while taking time to heal.

Injured reserve — Justin Buchanan(10), Ethan Simon(44) and Colton Campbell(3) keep their spirits up while taking time to heal. (Barry Byers)

Image: Morgan Cockerham — IHS Cheerleader Morgan show’s her winning smile.

Morgan Cockerham — IHS Cheerleader Morgan show’s her winning smile. (Barry Byers)

Image: 11 strong — Jasenio Anderson credited all eleven Gladiators on the field for getting the win.

11 strong — Jasenio Anderson credited all eleven Gladiators on the field for getting the win. (Barry Byers)

Image: Overly excited — IHS Cheerleaders Anna Viers and Kaitlyn Rossa do their part to encourage the team.

Overly excited — IHS Cheerleaders Anna Viers and Kaitlyn Rossa do their part to encourage the team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Anderson passes — Italy’s Jasenio Anderson(11) rolls right and releases the ball downfield over the Lions’ defense.

Anderson passes — Italy’s Jasenio Anderson(11) rolls right and releases the ball downfield over the Lions’ defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Getting the play — Gladiator head coach Craig Bales gives Jasenio Anderson(11) the play call.

Getting the play — Gladiator head coach Craig Bales gives Jasenio Anderson(11) the play call. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fab four — IHS Cheerleaders Morgan Cockerham, Beverly Barnhart, Meagan Hooker and Sierra Harris carry the team on their shoulders.

Fab four — IHS Cheerleaders Morgan Cockerham, Beverly Barnhart, Meagan Hooker and Sierra Harris carry the team on their shoulders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Wilkins tackles — Gladiator Kyle Wilkins(7) tackles Blooming Grove running back Stewart Chambers(30).

Wilkins tackles — Gladiator Kyle Wilkins(7) tackles Blooming Grove running back Stewart Chambers(30). (Barry Byers)

Image: The point after — Jase Holden(6) holds for kicker Jasenio Anderson(11) during the point after kick.

The point after — Jase Holden(6) holds for kicker Jasenio Anderson(11) during the point after kick. (Barry Byers)

Image: Two for one — Corrin Frazier(25) and Jase Holden(6) duo tackle Lions’ receiver Jacob Conger(8).

Two for one — Corrin Frazier(25) and Jase Holden(6) duo tackle Lions’ receiver Jacob Conger(8). (Barry Byers)

Image: Early exit — Senio gets sidelined but encourages his his teammates the rest of the way.

Early exit — Senio gets sidelined but encourages his his teammates the rest of the way. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle leads for Heath — Kyle Jackson(28) leads the way for Heath Clemons(2) who finished with 122-yards rushing.

Kyle leads for Heath — Kyle Jackson(28) leads the way for Heath Clemons(2) who finished with 122-yards rushing. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rettig is real deal — De’Andre “Rig” Rettig(60) is the real deal and established himself as one of the districts best Friday night in Blooming Grove.

Rettig is real deal — De’Andre “Rig” Rettig(60) is the real deal and established himself as one of the districts best Friday night in Blooming Grove. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tate’s a trooper — Kaitlyn Rossa treats fellow IHS Cheerleader Mary Tate who bruised and scraped both her knees during a cheer. Tate rallied late executing consecutive two-handed back springs down the sideline to thrill Gladiator fans.

Tate’s a trooper — Kaitlyn Rossa treats fellow IHS Cheerleader Mary Tate who bruised and scraped both her knees during a cheer. Tate rallied late executing consecutive two-handed back springs down the sideline to thrill Gladiator fans. (Barry Byers)

Image: Living the dream — Gladiator offensive lineman Brandon Souder(63) takes an offensive pitch from quarterback Heath Clemons and did his best to get in the endzone. Clemons mentioned later, “I thought I was pitching to Kyle Jackson but when I realized Souder caught it, I just yelled, ‘Run!’”

Living the dream — Gladiator offensive lineman Brandon Souder(63) takes an offensive pitch from quarterback Heath Clemons and did his best to get in the endzone. Clemons mentioned later, “I thought I was pitching to Kyle Jackson but when I realized Souder caught it, I just yelled, ‘Run!’” (Barry Byers)

Image: Band urges team forward — The Gladiator Regiment Band and Flag Corp were never worried.

Band urges team forward — The Gladiator Regiment Band and Flag Corp were never worried. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lewis is elusive — Italy’s Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) gets a block from Ethan Simon(50) and heads upfield against the Lions.

Lewis is elusive — Italy’s Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) gets a block from Ethan Simon(50) and heads upfield against the Lions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clemons gains yards — Italy sure-handed receiver and backup quarterback Heath Clemons(2) used his legs to help the Gladiators outlast the Blooming Grove Lions in a wild finish.

Clemons gains yards — Italy sure-handed receiver and backup quarterback Heath Clemons(2) used his legs to help the Gladiators outlast the Blooming Grove Lions in a wild finish. (Barry Byers)

Image: Talking technique — Defensive Coach Jeff Richters talks technique with Kyle Jackson(28) as Jasenio Anderson(11) listens in.

Talking technique — Defensive Coach Jeff Richters talks technique with Kyle Jackson(28) as Jasenio Anderson(11) listens in. (Barry Byers)

Image: Heath bleeds gold — Heath Clemons(2) bleeds Gladiator gold and helps Italy start 1-0 in district.

Heath bleeds gold — Heath Clemons(2) bleeds Gladiator gold and helps Italy start 1-0 in district. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bobby is loved — Gladiator Bobby “B-Wil” Wilson recieves much love from family and fans.

Bobby is loved — Gladiator Bobby “B-Wil” Wilson recieves much love from family and fans. (Barry Byers)

Image: Victory is ours! — Italy celebrates their 48-34 win over Blooming Grove with head coach Craig Bales after overcoming a bit of adversity to get the victory. Unfortunately, for the rest of the district, the Gladiators will be even stronger now.

Victory is ours! — Italy celebrates their 48-34 win over Blooming Grove with head coach Craig Bales after overcoming a bit of adversity to get the victory. Unfortunately, for the rest of the district, the Gladiators will be even stronger now. (Barry Byers)

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