Italy defeats Maypearl! Additional photos from Friday night’s game

Anne Sutherland Posted August 30, 2011 9:15pm Italy Gladiator Football

Image: The Gladiators sing their school song as they honor senior #63 Brandon Souder. — The Gladiators sing their school song as they honor senior #63 Brandon Souder. (Anne Sutherland)

Enjoy additional photos from Friday night’s Gladiator win over Maypearl as they kickoff the 2011 season in grand fashion. Italy’s varsity will play the Mart Panthers in an away game this Friday night starting at 7:30 p.m.

Go Gladiators!

The Lady Gladiators’ varsity volleyball team will battle the Lady Panthers in Mart on Friday night as well. Game time is set for 4:30.

Go Lady Gladiators!

Flossie Gowin, member of the Italy Lions Club, helped with the food drive benefiting the Italy Food Pantry. (Anne Sutherland)

Italy Jr. High cheerleaders Halee Turner and Jozie Perkins get ready for the game. (Anne Sutherland)

Italy varsity, JV and junior high cheerleaders come together in song and honor the American flag during the pregame festivities. (Anne Sutherland)

Expecting a packed stadium, the Italy Volunteer Fire Department helped to park cars but kept their fire engines close in case they had to leave for an emergency. (Anne Sutherland)

Alyssa Richards, Katie Byers and Marcus Sorels raise the flag and represent Italy FFA. (Anne Sutherland)

Brandon Souder(63), Paul Harris(7) and Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) lead the Gladiators onto Willis field to take on Maypearl. (Anne Sutherland)

Gladiators Jase Holden(3), Omar Estrada, Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) and Ethan Saxon(44) represent Italy as captains. (Anne Sutherland)

Kendra Copeland and Destani Anderson are ready to get their cheer on! (Anne Sutherland)

Head coach Craig Bales gives his Gladiators a last minute pep talk before the game begins. (Anne Sutherland)

Italy’s Ryheem Walker(10) dives for more yards. (Anne Sutherland)

Chase Hamilton(2) breaks away from a pack of Panthers for a gain of 34-yards. (Anne Sutherland)

Senior Brandon Souder was led off the field flanked by his teammates and friends. (Anne Sutherland)

IHS cheerleaders Ashley Harper, Destani Anderson and Kendra Copeland are proud of their Gladiators! (Anne Sutherland)

Tight end Ethan Saxon(44) and the rest of the Gladiator line help Ryheem Walker find daylight. (Anne Sutherland)

Meagan Hooker gets the crowd ready to cheer the third quarter. (Anne Sutherland)

IHS varsity squad in full form. (Anne Sutherland)

Larry Mayberry, Jr. needs a little help from Coach Randy Parks. (Anne Sutherland)

Sa’Kendra Norwood does her best ‘Jase Holden’ impersonation. (Anne Sutherland)

Christian Gray, Pastor Todd’s son, is excited to be at the game. Christian commented after Italy’s big win over Maypearl by saying, “Ball.” (Anne Sutherland)

Italy’s Chase Hamilton(2) hauls in a pass for two points. (Anne Sutherland)

The cheerleaders send their love and the final score to Brandon Souder. (Anne Sutherland)