Italy’s Kyle Jackson(28) tries to barrel thru Bison defenders — The Italy Gladiators stumbled in a 41-21 loss to Buffalo but will try to regroup in time for the Leon Cougars who will be coming to Italy this Friday night. (Barry Byers)
Caped crusaders — Gladiator Regiment Band drum majors Drenda Burk and Jessica Hernandez display their sleek new capes. (Barry Byers)
Megan practices — Italy Flag Corp member, Megan Buchanan, practices tricks with her flag during the pre-game. (Barry Byers)
Band aids spirit — The Gladiator Regiment Band plays loud and proud in Buffalo. (Barry Byers)
Proud family — Italy Gladiator assistant coach Erik Wilson visits with Clarence and Andre Heard before the game. Clarence, the father of Gladiator football star Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30), is currently a TASO referee and has been officiating high school sports for 28-years. Andre, Jalarnce’s brother, has been a coach for the Boys & Girls Club in Bryant, Texas since 1996. (Barry Byers)
The kick to tie — De’Andre Sephus(20) blocks, Jase Holden(6) holds and Jasenio Anderson(11) kicks thru the extra point to tie the game 7-7. (Barry Byers)
Hard hit — Gladiator Jacob Lopez(52) collides with Buffalo’s Aurelio Dominguez(34). (Barry Byers)
Group tackle — Several Gladiators bring down the Bison runner. (Barry Byers)
Helping a teammate — Corrin Frazier(25) helps stretch the throwing arm of Gladiator quarterback Jasenio Anderson(11) who injured his shoulder early in the contest. (Barry Byers)
Italy’s Jacob Lopez — Italy’s Jacob Lopez(52) tackles the Bison running back. (Barry Byers)
Justin and Gary — Manning the tunnel is IYAA President Gary Wood and his son Justin Wood. Justin plays on Italy’s Junior Varsity team as a freshman. (Barry Byers)
Kyle on the sax — Kyle Fortenberry let’s Buffalo fans know who’s #1. (Barry Byers)
Senio breaks thru — Jasenio Anderson(11) pulls away from a Bison tackler but it was Buffalo that pulled away from the Gladiators with a 41-21 win. (Barry Byers)
Finish strong — De’Andre Sephus(20), Heath Clemons(2), Jasenio Anderson(11) and Kyle Jackson(28) try to add point to Italy’s side of the scoreboard. (Barry Byers)
Looking for space — Jasenio Anderson(11) runs left around the Bison defense thanks to a block from Larry Mayberry(77). (Barry Byers)
Eleven for seven — Jasenio Anderson(11) scores a touchdown against Buffalo and then kicks thru the extra point. (Barry Byers)
Jamal makes tackle — Italy’s noseguard Jalarnce Jamal Jewis(30) wraps up Aurelio Dominguez(34) before the Bison runner can cause any more damage. (Barry Byers)
Ready for the snap — Italy’s Omar Estrada(56), Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30), Bobby Wilson(64) and Kyle Wilkins(7) zero in on the Bison offense. (Barry Byers)
Game planning — Gladiator head coach Craig Bales and quarterback Jasenio Anderson(11) try to formulate a plan. (Barry Byers)
Buffalo runs out clock — De’Andre Rettig(60) and Devonta Simmons(9) combo tackle Dominic Jackson(32) who was inserted into the Bison backfield late in the contest to run out the clock. (Barry Byers)
Ground game — Gladiators Jacob Lopez(52) and Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(30) try to hold back Buffalo’s offense. (Barry Byers)
Holden makes the catch — Italy’s Jase Holden(6) secures a touchdown pass from Jasenio Anderson before stepping out of bounds. (Barry Byers)