Italy’s Jr. High Gladiators play solid but Hubbard gets the win

Image: As quarterback for the Italy Jr. High Gladiators on Thursday, Ryan Connor(17) kept Italy moving the ball consistently and helped the offense put up two touchdowns. The Hubbard Jaguars were impressive, as well, and pulled away in the second half to win 28-14.   

As quarterback for the Italy Jr. High Gladiators on Thursday, Ryan Connor(17) kept Italy moving the ball consistently and helped the offense put up two touchdowns. The Hubbard Jaguars were impressive, as well, and pulled away in the second half to win 28-14.    (Barry Byers)

Image: Go, Italy, go! The Italy Jr. High/JV Cheerleaders urge their Gladiators forward before the kickoff. 

Go, Italy, go! The Italy Jr. High/JV Cheerleaders urge their Gladiators forward before the kickoff.  (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Joseh Celis(6) brings down Hubbard’s top player.

Italy’s Joseh Celis(6) brings down Hubbard’s top player. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cameron Carter(10) avoids tacklers and picks up a nice gain against Hubbard.

Italy’s Cameron Carter(10) avoids tacklers and picks up a nice gain against Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaray Anderson(32) escapes a couple of Jaguars in his backfield takes off downfield.

Jaray Anderson(32) escapes a couple of Jaguars in his backfield takes off downfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(17) throws behind a wall of protection proveided by Aaron Pittmon(50), Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(57) and cousin Brandon Connor(77) at center.

Ryan Connor(17) throws behind a wall of protection proveided by Aaron Pittmon(50), Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(57) and cousin Brandon Connor(77) at center. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cameron Carter(10) finds running room off the reverse for the Gladiators.

Cameron Carter(10) finds running room off the reverse for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(17) receives the snap from Brandon Connor(77) as Kenneth Norwod, Jr. looks to block the A-gap.

Ryan Connor(17) receives the snap from Brandon Connor(77) as Kenneth Norwod, Jr. looks to block the A-gap. (Barry Byers)

Image: All eyes and ears are on Ryan Connor(17) as he calls an offensive play during a critical part of the game.

All eyes and ears are on Ryan Connor(17) as he calls an offensive play during a critical part of the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Under pressure, Ryan Connor(17) launches a pass downfield intended for Mason Womack(88).

Under pressure, Ryan Connor(17) launches a pass downfield intended for Mason Womack(88). (Barry Byers)

Image: Making the tackle are Elliot Worsham(56), Ryan Connor(17), Fabian Cortez(22) and Darren Cisneros(8).

Making the tackle are Elliot Worsham(56), Ryan Connor(17), Fabian Cortez(22) and Darren Cisneros(8). (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheerleader Halee Turner tries to inspire the Jr. High Gladiators to reach another level.

Cheerleader Halee Turner tries to inspire the Jr. High Gladiators to reach another level. (Barry Byers)

Image: Playing angry are Jaray Anderson(32) and Joseph Celis(6) who combine to tackle a Jaguar runner.

Playing angry are Jaray Anderson(32) and Joseph Celis(6) who combine to tackle a Jaguar runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Aidan Callahan uses Cameron Carter(10) to send in a play.

Coach Aidan Callahan uses Cameron Carter(10) to send in a play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(17) hits full stride behind blockers Jaray Anderson(32), David De La Hoya(70), Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(57) and Aaron Pittmon(50).

Ryan Connor(17) hits full stride behind blockers Jaray Anderson(32), David De La Hoya(70), Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(57) and Aaron Pittmon(50). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kevin Johnson(18) makes a nice form tackle to bring down a Hubbard back, proving that the low man has the advantage.

Italy’s Kevin Johnson(18) makes a nice form tackle to bring down a Hubbard back, proving that the low man has the advantage. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Italy Jr. High/JV Cheerleaders keep the fans fired up!

The Italy Jr. High/JV Cheerleaders keep the fans fired up! (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaray Anderson(32), Joseph Celis(6) and Fabian Cortez(22) do whatever it takes to stop Hubbard.

Jaray Anderson(32), Joseph Celis(6) and Fabian Cortez(22) do whatever it takes to stop Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fabian Cortez(22) and Joseph Celis(6) cause Hubbard to fumble the ball away.

Fabian Cortez(22) and Joseph Celis(6) cause Hubbard to fumble the ball away. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shatrickery, Joseph Celis(6) fakes the run and pulls up to pass.

Shatrickery, Joseph Celis(6) fakes the run and pulls up to pass. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Callahan shows quarterback Ryan Connor the special secret formation.

Coach Callahan shows quarterback Ryan Connor the special secret formation. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheerleader Amber Hooker cheers loud and proud for the Italy Jr. High Gladiators.

Cheerleader Amber Hooker cheers loud and proud for the Italy Jr. High Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Family effort: Former Gladiator player Sean Connor, who recently joined Hubbard’s coaching staff, shared the field on Thursday with his nephews and niece, which were: Italy’s Ryan Connor(17), Brandon Connor(77) and Cheerleader Hannah Washington.

Family effort: Former Gladiator player Sean Connor, who recently joined Hubbard’s coaching staff, shared the field on Thursday with his nephews and niece, which were: Italy’s Ryan Connor(17), Brandon Connor(77) and Cheerleader Hannah Washington. (Barry Byers)

Image: 7th grader Cameron Carter is just one of many talented players rising within the Gladiator football system. Coach Bales and his coaching staff are rebuilding, adjusting and greasing Italy’s victory machine and Carter will play a key part over the next several seasons.

7th grader Cameron Carter is just one of many talented players rising within the Gladiator football system. Coach Bales and his coaching staff are rebuilding, adjusting and greasing Italy’s victory machine and Carter will play a key part over the next several seasons. (Barry Byers)

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