Italy’s Junior High Gladiators battle with the Leon Cougars

Image: The Italy JH defense scopes out the Leon Cougars’ offense — The Italy Junior High Gladiators dare the Leon Cougars to snap the ball. The young Gladiators turned in several big plays but the Cougars refused to be out played on their home turf.

The Italy JH defense scopes out the Leon Cougars’ offense — The Italy Junior High Gladiators dare the Leon Cougars to snap the ball. The young Gladiators turned in several big plays but the Cougars refused to be out played on their home turf. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Escamilla — Italy’s John Escamilla does some stretching before the game.

John Escamilla — Italy’s John Escamilla does some stretching before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor — Quarterback Ryan Connor gets set to lead the Italy Junior High Gladiators into battle against the Leon Cougars.

Ryan Connor — Quarterback Ryan Connor gets set to lead the Italy Junior High Gladiators into battle against the Leon Cougars. (Barry Byers)

Image: You know it! — Kyle Fortenberry(50) starts at center for the Italy Junior High squad.

You know it! — Kyle Fortenberry(50) starts at center for the Italy Junior High squad. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colton Petrey — Colton has speed, is a sure tackler and can catch the long ball.

Colton Petrey — Colton has speed, is a sure tackler and can catch the long ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: All eyes on coach — John Byers listens intently to the coach’s instructions.

All eyes on coach — John Byers listens intently to the coach’s instructions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Follow us — Ryan Connor(17) tries to break away from a pile of Cougars while Cody Boyd, John Escamilla(7) and Kelton Bales(60) try clearing the way.

Follow us — Ryan Connor(17) tries to break away from a pile of Cougars while Cody Boyd, John Escamilla(7) and Kelton Bales(60) try clearing the way. (Barry Byers)

Image: Here, kitty, kitty! — Noseguard Kelton Bales(60) sets a trap for the Cougars.

Here, kitty, kitty! — Noseguard Kelton Bales(60) sets a trap for the Cougars. (Barry Byers)

Image: Pass! — Levi McBride(28), Cody Boyd(22) and Colton Petrey(6) jump out into pass coverage.

Pass! — Levi McBride(28), Cody Boyd(22) and Colton Petrey(6) jump out into pass coverage. (Barry Byers)

Image: Be the ball — Coach Jeff Richters talks with quarterback Ryan Connor.

Be the ball — Coach Jeff Richters talks with quarterback Ryan Connor. (Barry Byers)

Image: Just in time — Ryan Connor(17) sets to pass over a Leon defender.

Just in time — Ryan Connor(17) sets to pass over a Leon defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: Big play — Ryan Connor completes a pass to Cody Boyd while John Escamilla(7) tries to rescue his quarterback.

Big play — Ryan Connor completes a pass to Cody Boyd while John Escamilla(7) tries to rescue his quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: Not this time — The Cougars reach Italy’s quarterback Ryan Connor(17) before he can deliver the pass.

Not this time — The Cougars reach Italy’s quarterback Ryan Connor(17) before he can deliver the pass. (Barry Byers)

Image: I got him! — Ryan Connor(17) latches on to a Leon Runner.

I got him! — Ryan Connor(17) latches on to a Leon Runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Water please — Jordan Lemire(66), Colton Petrey(6) and John Byers(56) have a synchronized water break.

Water please — Jordan Lemire(66), Colton Petrey(6) and John Byers(56) have a synchronized water break. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tackle for a loss — John Byers(56) captures a Cougar runner in the backfield for a 10-yard loss.

Tackle for a loss — John Byers(56) captures a Cougar runner in the backfield for a 10-yard loss. (Barry Byers)

Image: JaRay Anderson — JaRay Anderson steps out of the locker room and into the game.

JaRay Anderson — JaRay Anderson steps out of the locker room and into the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Carl Jaynes — Gladiator cornerback Carl Jaynes is ready to chase down the Cougars.

Carl Jaynes — Gladiator cornerback Carl Jaynes is ready to chase down the Cougars. (Barry Byers)

Image: Armored and ready — John Escamilla is a Gladiator with a shield.

Armored and ready — John Escamilla is a Gladiator with a shield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bales and barbwire — On one side of the fence, Gladiators. On the other side of the fence, Cougars. Italy’s Kelton Bales asks for some wire cutters.

Bales and barbwire — On one side of the fence, Gladiators. On the other side of the fence, Cougars. Italy’s Kelton Bales asks for some wire cutters. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lemire at ’em — Jordan Lemire says, “Let me at ’em!”

Lemire at ’em — Jordan Lemire says, “Let me at ’em!” (Barry Byers)

Image: Mason Womack — Mason Womack(88) is ready to take on the Cougars in Leon.

Mason Womack — Mason Womack(88) is ready to take on the Cougars in Leon. (Barry Byers)

Image: Justin Robinson — Justin Robinson(64) has been a solid addition to the Italy Gladiator line this season.

Justin Robinson — Justin Robinson(64) has been a solid addition to the Italy Gladiator line this season. (Barry Byers)

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