Italy’s JV Gladiators beat Axtell 16-8, Junior High teams tie 22-22

Image: Game on the line — Italy’s linebacker Cody Boyd(22) tries to keep Axtell’s Dillon McBride from crossing the goal line but the Longhorns get the 2-point conversion and tie the Junior High Gladiators 22-22 at Willis Field in Italy.

Game on the line — Italy’s linebacker Cody Boyd(22) tries to keep Axtell’s Dillon McBride from crossing the goal line but the Longhorns get the 2-point conversion and tie the Junior High Gladiators 22-22 at Willis Field in Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Give and go! — Quarterback Ryan Connor(17) hands off to John Escamilla(7) who tries to take the bull by the Longhorns.

Give and go! — Quarterback Ryan Connor(17) hands off to John Escamilla(7) who tries to take the bull by the Longhorns. (Barry Byers)

Image: JaRay is gone — John Escamilla(7) hands to JaRay Anderson(9) who runs left for several yards against the Axtell Longhorns.

JaRay is gone — John Escamilla(7) hands to JaRay Anderson(9) who runs left for several yards against the Axtell Longhorns. (Barry Byers)

Image: The fun part — JaRay Anderson(9) and John Escamilla(7) jump for joy after an Anderson touchdown.

The fun part — JaRay Anderson(9) and John Escamilla(7) jump for joy after an Anderson touchdown. (Barry Byers)

Image: In the pocket — Ryan Connor(17) passes down field while JaRay Anderson(9) provides the protection.

In the pocket — Ryan Connor(17) passes down field while JaRay Anderson(9) provides the protection. (Barry Byers)

Image: Catch and run — Italy’s Colton Petrey(6) makes the catch and then gets dragged down by an Axtell tackler.

Catch and run — Italy’s Colton Petrey(6) makes the catch and then gets dragged down by an Axtell tackler. (Barry Byers)

Image: Greetings — Ryan Connor(17) greets Axtell’s Dillon McBride(33) head-on at the line-of-scrimmage.

Greetings — Ryan Connor(17) greets Axtell’s Dillon McBride(33) head-on at the line-of-scrimmage. (Barry Byers)

Image: The ground game — Caden Petrey(35) makes a leg tackle on Axtell’s Dillon McBride(33).

The ground game — Caden Petrey(35) makes a leg tackle on Axtell’s Dillon McBride(33). (Barry Byers)

Image: Line play — Italy’s Kelton Bales(60) squeezes thru Axtell’s offensive line and knocks down the pass attempt by Longhorn quarterback Tanner Fields.

Line play — Italy’s Kelton Bales(60) squeezes thru Axtell’s offensive line and knocks down the pass attempt by Longhorn quarterback Tanner Fields. (Barry Byers)

Image: Quiet time — Italy Junior High Cheerleader Kelsey Nelson and Cheerleading Advisor Amanda Patrick relax at the base of the bleachers during halftime.

Quiet time — Italy Junior High Cheerleader Kelsey Nelson and Cheerleading Advisor Amanda Patrick relax at the base of the bleachers during halftime. (Barry Byers)

Image: Up in the air — Axtell defends a pass intended for Italy’s Trevon Robertson(9).

Up in the air — Axtell defends a pass intended for Italy’s Trevon Robertson(9). (Barry Byers)

Image: Hank’s on a mission — Gladiator noseguard Hank Seabolt(76) tries to tackle the entire Longhorn backfield.

Hank’s on a mission — Gladiator noseguard Hank Seabolt(76) tries to tackle the entire Longhorn backfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Wood cuts — After getting the handoff from Tony Wooldridge(6), Italy’s Justin Wood(44) cuts back and runs 45-yards thru the Longhorns’ defense.

Wood cuts — After getting the handoff from Tony Wooldridge(6), Italy’s Justin Wood(44) cuts back and runs 45-yards thru the Longhorns’ defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Justin’s everywhere! — Justin Wood(44) scoops up a Longhorn fumble and heads for the endzone.

Justin’s everywhere! — Justin Wood(44) scoops up a Longhorn fumble and heads for the endzone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Carson times hit — Italy’s Eric Carson(28) tries to dehorn a Longhorn receiver. No Longhorns were injured during the snapping of this picture….not seriously.

Carson times hit — Italy’s Eric Carson(28) tries to dehorn a Longhorn receiver. No Longhorns were injured during the snapping of this picture….not seriously. (Barry Byers)

Image: Defensive stand — With Axtell threatening to score, Italy’s Justin Wood(44) catches a pass deflection then follows teammate Cody Medrano(75) toward the opposite side of the field.

Defensive stand — With Axtell threatening to score, Italy’s Justin Wood(44) catches a pass deflection then follows teammate Cody Medrano(75) toward the opposite side of the field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chase is on — Italy’s Chase Hamilton(10) finds running room against the Longhorns.

Chase is on — Italy’s Chase Hamilton(10) finds running room against the Longhorns. (Barry Byers)

Image: Roldan rumbles — Gladiator defensive tackle Kevin Roldan(60) strips the ball from the Longhorns and sprints toward the goal line.

Roldan rumbles — Gladiator defensive tackle Kevin Roldan(60) strips the ball from the Longhorns and sprints toward the goal line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Group hug — Two defensive linemen qualifies as a group. Hank Seabolt(76) congratulates Kevin Roldan(60) after his strip and sprint that put the Gladiators in scoring position.

Group hug — Two defensive linemen qualifies as a group. Hank Seabolt(76) congratulates Kevin Roldan(60) after his strip and sprint that put the Gladiators in scoring position. (Barry Byers)

Image: Follow me — Quarterback Tony Wooldridge(6) gains extra yards thanks to the downfield blocking of teammate Trevon Robertson(9).

Follow me — Quarterback Tony Wooldridge(6) gains extra yards thanks to the downfield blocking of teammate Trevon Robertson(9). (Barry Byers)

Image: In the final moments, Italy’s [Name Withheld](30) intercepts a Longhorn pass and runs it in for the game winning touchdown. Teammate Zackery Boykin(55) makes sure he gets there safely.

In the final moments, Italy’s [Name Withheld](30) intercepts a Longhorn pass and runs it in for the game winning touchdown. Teammate Zackery Boykin(55) makes sure he gets there safely. (Barry Byers)

Image: Good times — Chase Hamilton(10), Zackery Boykin(55), Adrian Reed(64) and Eric Carson(28) are overjoyed after Italy’s exciting win over the Axtell Longhorns.

Good times — Chase Hamilton(10), Zackery Boykin(55), Adrian Reed(64) and Eric Carson(28) are overjoyed after Italy’s exciting win over the Axtell Longhorns. (Barry Byers)

Image: Punching cattle — Bailey Walton(52) is proud of the fight he and his teammates displayed as the Italy JV Gladiators knockout the Axtell Longhorns, 16-8, in an electrifying game at Willis Field Ranch.

Punching cattle — Bailey Walton(52) is proud of the fight he and his teammates displayed as the Italy JV Gladiators knockout the Axtell Longhorns, 16-8, in an electrifying game at Willis Field Ranch. (Barry Byers)

Return to story