Gladiators shutout Panthers 30-0 at home to kickoff 2011 season

Image: Italy Gladiators Ethan Saxon(44), Adrian Reed(64), Omar Estrada(56) and Isaac Medrano(70) block while teammate Kyle Jackson(28) fights for another yard against the Maypearl Panthers

Italy Gladiators Ethan Saxon(44), Adrian Reed(64), Omar Estrada(56) and Isaac Medrano(70) block while teammate Kyle Jackson(28) fights for another yard against the Maypearl Panthers (Barry Byers)

Image: The Italy High School and JV/Junior High Cheerleaders sing the National Anthem before the game between Italy and Maypearl.

The Italy High School and JV/Junior High Cheerleaders sing the National Anthem before the game between Italy and Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomores Eric Carson(24) and Kevin Roldan(60) get ready to receive the kickoff.

Sophomores Eric Carson(24) and Kevin Roldan(60) get ready to receive the kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Image: Here come the Gladiators…

Here come the Gladiators… (Barry Byers)

Image: Caden Jacinto films for the Gladiators from within the press box.

Caden Jacinto films for the Gladiators from within the press box. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase Holden(3) peers over his offensive line as Ethan Saxon(44) and Adrian Reed(64) prepare to block.

Jase Holden(3) peers over his offensive line as Ethan Saxon(44) and Adrian Reed(64) prepare to block. (Barry Byers)

Image: Katelynn Smith and Meagan Buchanan are representing the Italy Gladiator Regiment Band’s flag corp.

Katelynn Smith and Meagan Buchanan are representing the Italy Gladiator Regiment Band’s flag corp. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Chase Hamilton(2) breaks down the sideline for a big gain during the game’s opening drive.

Gladiator Chase Hamilton(2) breaks down the sideline for a big gain during the game’s opening drive. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s 6’,5" Devonta Simmons(9) just misses a touchdown catch in the first quarter with Maypearl’s Tristan Spradling(24) covering. Spradling’s father was a Gladiator in the late 80s.

Italy’s 6’,5" Devonta Simmons(9) just misses a touchdown catch in the first quarter with Maypearl’s Tristan Spradling(24) covering. Spradling’s father was a Gladiator in the late 80s. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brandon Souder(63) gets set to snap the ball to quarterback Jase Holden(3) with Italy about to punch it in on the opening drive. Unfortunately, Souder, severely injured his left leg on the play and will be out for the remainder of his senior season.

Brandon Souder(63) gets set to snap the ball to quarterback Jase Holden(3) with Italy about to punch it in on the opening drive. Unfortunately, Souder, severely injured his left leg on the play and will be out for the remainder of his senior season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator sophomore Eric Carson(24) catches a sideline pass for the first touchdown of the game.

Gladiator sophomore Eric Carson(24) catches a sideline pass for the first touchdown of the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School Cheerleaders Kaitlyn Rossa, Ashley Harper, Felicia Little and Destani Anderson toss spirit T-Shirts into the stands.

Italy High School Cheerleaders Kaitlyn Rossa, Ashley Harper, Felicia Little and Destani Anderson toss spirit T-Shirts into the stands. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator linebacker Kyle Jackson(28) fills the hole and puts a lick on Panther quarterback Frank Morphis(14)

Gladiator linebacker Kyle Jackson(28) fills the hole and puts a lick on Panther quarterback Frank Morphis(14) (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Q.B. Jase Holden(3) rolls out looking for a target as Panther quarterback Frank Morphis(14) watches from the Maypearl sideline.

Gladiator Q.B. Jase Holden(3) rolls out looking for a target as Panther quarterback Frank Morphis(14) watches from the Maypearl sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleaders Kelsey Nelson and Madison Washington display their game jerseys.

Italy High School cheerleaders Kelsey Nelson and Madison Washington display their game jerseys. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase Holden(3) absorbs advice from last season’s quarterback Jasenio Anderson.

Jase Holden(3) absorbs advice from last season’s quarterback Jasenio Anderson. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleader Kendra Copeland flexes her Gladiator muscles.

Italy High School cheerleader Kendra Copeland flexes her Gladiator muscles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleader Beverly Barnhart shouts a cheer for all to hear.

Italy High School cheerleader Beverly Barnhart shouts a cheer for all to hear. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryheem Walker(10) and Jase Holden(3) take a well deserved break late in the game and begin soaking in their 30-0 shutout victory over Maypearl.

Ryheem Walker(10) and Jase Holden(3) take a well deserved break late in the game and begin soaking in their 30-0 shutout victory over Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: All the Gladiators needed was a “Little” luck provided by Italy High School cheerleader Felicia Little.

All the Gladiators needed was a “Little” luck provided by Italy High School cheerleader Felicia Little. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood and cheerleaders Kendra Copeland and Destani Anderson show out on the sideline.

Italy High School mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood and cheerleaders Kendra Copeland and Destani Anderson show out on the sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Larry Mayberry, Jr. stands tall with his father, Gladiator assistant coach Larry Mayberry, Sr., as the pair bask in the glow from the Friday night lights and a 30-0 win over Maypearl.

Larry Mayberry, Jr. stands tall with his father, Gladiator assistant coach Larry Mayberry, Sr., as the pair bask in the glow from the Friday night lights and a 30-0 win over Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

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