Cougars pounce back, overtake Gladiators in final quarter

Image: Citizens National Bank of Texas makes Texas-sized contribution — Italy ISD receives a contribution, in the amount of $1,237.88, from Citizens National Bank of Texas (CNB of Italy). Presenting the check to IHS Board Member Cheryl Owens, IHS Principal Tanya Parker and Italy’s Stafford Elementary Principal Tammy Wallis are CNB representatives Diego Garcia, Amber Reeves, Sarah Romero, and Parker Reeves.

Citizens National Bank of Texas makes Texas-sized contribution — Italy ISD receives a contribution, in the amount of $1,237.88, from Citizens National Bank of Texas (CNB of Italy). Presenting the check to IHS Board Member Cheryl Owens, IHS Principal Tanya Parker and Italy’s Stafford Elementary Principal Tammy Wallis are CNB representatives Diego Garcia, Amber Reeves, Sarah Romero, and Parker Reeves. (Barry Byers)

Image: Table-o-fun! — The Gladiator Booster Club has plenty of Gladiator merchandise for fans including flags, programs, caps, vehicle decals and shirts.

Table-o-fun! — The Gladiator Booster Club has plenty of Gladiator merchandise for fans including flags, programs, caps, vehicle decals and shirts. (Barry Byers)

Image: Glad gals! — The Italy High School Cheerleaders. Top row: Taylor Turner, Mary Tate, Sierra Harris, Beverly Barnhart and Morgan Cockerham. Bottom row: Haylee Love, Meagan Hooker, Destani Anderson, Anna Viers and Kaitlyn Rossa.

Glad gals! — The Italy High School Cheerleaders. Top row: Taylor Turner, Mary Tate, Sierra Harris, Beverly Barnhart and Morgan Cockerham. Bottom row: Haylee Love, Meagan Hooker, Destani Anderson, Anna Viers and Kaitlyn Rossa. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheer tricks — Italy High School Cheerleaders, Sierra Harris, Beverly Barnhart and Mary Tate show off their new cheer trick.

Cheer tricks — Italy High School Cheerleaders, Sierra Harris, Beverly Barnhart and Mary Tate show off their new cheer trick. (Barry Byers)

Image: The big entrance — The Italy Gladiators are lead onto Willis Field by Jacob Lopez(52), De’Andre Sephus(20), De’Andre Rettig(60), Larry Mayberry(77) and Tony Wooldridge(36).

The big entrance — The Italy Gladiators are lead onto Willis Field by Jacob Lopez(52), De’Andre Sephus(20), De’Andre Rettig(60), Larry Mayberry(77) and Tony Wooldridge(36). (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators converge — Gladiators Heath Clemons(2), Kyle WIlkins(7), De’Andre Rettig(60), Kyle Jackson(28), Brandon Souder(63), Bobby Wilson(64), Jamal Jalarnce Lewis(30) hustle to the ball.

Gladiators converge — Gladiators Heath Clemons(2), Kyle WIlkins(7), De’Andre Rettig(60), Kyle Jackson(28), Brandon Souder(63), Bobby Wilson(64), Jamal Jalarnce Lewis(30) hustle to the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senio escapes — Gladiator quarterback Jasenio Anderson(11) escapes the clutches of a Leon Cougar tackler.

Senio escapes — Gladiator quarterback Jasenio Anderson(11) escapes the clutches of a Leon Cougar tackler. (Barry Byers)

Image: Near the goal — Italy’s Heath Clemons(2), De’Andre Sephus(20) and Ethan Simon(50) bring down Leon Cougar tailback Jay Hayes(6).

Near the goal — Italy’s Heath Clemons(2), De’Andre Sephus(20) and Ethan Simon(50) bring down Leon Cougar tailback Jay Hayes(6). (Barry Byers)

Image: Rossa cheers — IHS Cheerleader Kaitlyn Rossa keeps that spirit up!

Rossa cheers — IHS Cheerleader Kaitlyn Rossa keeps that spirit up! (Barry Byers)

Image: Punt blocked — The Leon Cougars block a Jasenio Anderson(11) punt and Leon’s Drake Jones(33) recovers at the Gladiator 30-yard line.

Punt blocked — The Leon Cougars block a Jasenio Anderson(11) punt and Leon’s Drake Jones(33) recovers at the Gladiator 30-yard line. (Barry Byers)

Image: I’m finally tall! — Julius Wilson is just excited he can finally see the game over the fence. “Last year, I had to watch thru the fence,” explained Julius.

I’m finally tall! — Julius Wilson is just excited he can finally see the game over the fence. “Last year, I had to watch thru the fence,” explained Julius. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tracking the ball — Italy’s Corrin Frazier(25), Brandon Souder(63) and Bobby Wilson(64) track the Cougars.

Tracking the ball — Italy’s Corrin Frazier(25), Brandon Souder(63) and Bobby Wilson(64) track the Cougars. (Barry Byers)

Image: Go Italy! — IHS Cheerleader Haylee Love keeps Gladiator fans excited!

Go Italy! — IHS Cheerleader Haylee Love keeps Gladiator fans excited! (Barry Byers)

Image: Leon has a chance — Cougar kicker Garrett Robertson(75), holder Kyle Bumpurs(5) and Juan Hernandez(14) watch Robertson’s 29-yard field goal attempt clear the bottom bar of the uprights to give the Cougars a 10-0 advantage to start the game.

Leon has a chance — Cougar kicker Garrett Robertson(75), holder Kyle Bumpurs(5) and Juan Hernandez(14) watch Robertson’s 29-yard field goal attempt clear the bottom bar of the uprights to give the Cougars a 10-0 advantage to start the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jasenio and Jamal — Jasenio Anderson(11) and Jamal Jalarnce Lewis(30) try to get the Gladiators into the endzone.

Jasenio and Jamal — Jasenio Anderson(11) and Jamal Jalarnce Lewis(30) try to get the Gladiators into the endzone. (Barry Byers)

Image: It’s good! — Jase Holden(6) holds while Jasenio Anderson(11) kicks thru the extra point to give Italy a 14-10 lead before halftime.

It’s good! — Jase Holden(6) holds while Jasenio Anderson(11) kicks thru the extra point to give Italy a 14-10 lead before halftime. (Barry Byers)

Image: Let’s go! — Eddie Garcia(8), Bobby Wilson(64), Kyle Wilkins(7) and their teammates run out of the Italy Gladiators’ tunnel to start the second half.

Let’s go! — Eddie Garcia(8), Bobby Wilson(64), Kyle Wilkins(7) and their teammates run out of the Italy Gladiators’ tunnel to start the second half. (Barry Byers)

Image: Plenty of time — Offensive linemen Brandon Souder(63) and Jacob Lopez(52) buy time for Jasenio Anderson(11) to locate a receiver downfield.

Plenty of time — Offensive linemen Brandon Souder(63) and Jacob Lopez(52) buy time for Jasenio Anderson(11) to locate a receiver downfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Meagan looks on — IHS Cheerleader Meagan Hooker checks out the action on the field before performing a cheer.

Meagan looks on — IHS Cheerleader Meagan Hooker checks out the action on the field before performing a cheer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Deserved breather — Jasenio Anderson(11) takes advantage off a rare break on the sideline.

Deserved breather — Jasenio Anderson(11) takes advantage off a rare break on the sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Water anyone? — Gary Escamilla is ready to run water into the game for the Gladiators.

Water anyone? — Gary Escamilla is ready to run water into the game for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: The chase is on — Leon Cougar Jay Hayes(6) is being chased by Italy Gladiator Ethan Simon(50).

The chase is on — Leon Cougar Jay Hayes(6) is being chased by Italy Gladiator Ethan Simon(50). (Barry Byers)

Image: Setting a trap — Bobby Wilson(64), Kyle Jackson(28), Ethan Simon(50), Brandon Souder(63) and Corrin Frazier(25) team up to trap a Cougar.

Setting a trap — Bobby Wilson(64), Kyle Jackson(28), Ethan Simon(50), Brandon Souder(63) and Corrin Frazier(25) team up to trap a Cougar. (Barry Byers)

Image: Anna Viers — IHS Cheerleader Anna Viers.

Anna Viers — IHS Cheerleader Anna Viers. (Barry Byers)

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