Good Luck, Gladiators!

Image: The Gladiators receive good luck send-off from fellow students  — The Gladiators were surrounded by love as they boarded the bus and headed for Stephenville departing at 9:30 a.m. from the Italy High School campus.

The Gladiators receive good luck send-off from fellow students — The Gladiators were surrounded by love as they boarded the bus and headed for Stephenville departing at 9:30 a.m. from the Italy High School campus. (Barry Byers)

Image: Decorating — Delma Garcia, Sierra Harris and Anna Viers help decorate the bus windows.

Decorating — Delma Garcia, Sierra Harris and Anna Viers help decorate the bus windows.

Image: They’ve Awakened the “Beast” — Jasenio Anderson boards the bus with a morning orange juice in hand.

They’ve Awakened the “Beast” — Jasenio Anderson boards the bus with a morning orange juice in hand.

Image: Here we go — Devonta Simmons and Larry Mayberry exit the Italy Coliseum dome and then make their way onto the bus.

Here we go — Devonta Simmons and Larry Mayberry exit the Italy Coliseum dome and then make their way onto the bus.

Image: Experienced lane driver — Senior forward Heath Clemons is ready to drive his Gladiator teammates to Stephenville, if he can just find that cord that makes the horn sound.

Experienced lane driver — Senior forward Heath Clemons is ready to drive his Gladiator teammates to Stephenville, if he can just find that cord that makes the horn sound.

Image: Snoop’s driving? — Gladiators Brandon Souder and Ryan Ashcraft board the bus-like chariot with some apprehension.

Snoop’s driving? — Gladiators Brandon Souder and Ryan Ashcraft board the bus-like chariot with some apprehension.

Image: Showing support — Beverly Barnhart, Vincent Jacinto, Lisa Jacinto and Michael Chambers are on hand to see the Gladiators off. The Jacinto’s son, #2 Caden Jacinto, is a sophomore that was moved up to the varsity squad for the playoffs.

Showing support — Beverly Barnhart, Vincent Jacinto, Lisa Jacinto and Michael Chambers are on hand to see the Gladiators off. The Jacinto’s son, #2 Caden Jacinto, is a sophomore that was moved up to the varsity squad for the playoffs.

Image: One last check… — Tie, itinerary…wait…where’s the game plan? Don’t worry, head coach Aidan Callahan is all packed and ready for a win.

One last check… — Tie, itinerary…wait…where’s the game plan? Don’t worry, head coach Aidan Callahan is all packed and ready for a win.

Image: Thumbs-up! — Mark Souder, Sr. gives the thumbs-up sign to the Gladiators as the bus takes off. Mr. Souder is the father of #15 Brandon Souder.

Thumbs-up! — Mark Souder, Sr. gives the thumbs-up sign to the Gladiators as the bus takes off. Mr. Souder is the father of #15 Brandon Souder.

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