Italy’s Jr. High Gladiators try to rein in the Red Oak Life Mustangs

Image: The Italy Jr. High Gladiators take the field …

The Italy Jr. High Gladiators take the field … (Barry Byers)

Image: … Followed by even more Gladiators, 28 in total.

… Followed by even more Gladiators, 28 in total. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Jr. High Cheerleader Halee Turner Welcomes the Gladiators onto Willis Field.

Italy Jr. High Cheerleader Halee Turner Welcomes the Gladiators onto Willis Field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Darren Cisneros runs a few pass routes before the game.

Darren Cisneros runs a few pass routes before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Austin Pittmon(51), David De La Hoya(70), Justin Robbins(68) and wide receiver Fabian Cortez(22) are set before the snap.

Austin Pittmon(51), David De La Hoya(70), Justin Robbins(68) and wide receiver Fabian Cortez(22) are set before the snap. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chasston King(20) lead blocks for Jaray Anderson(32).

Chasston King(20) lead blocks for Jaray Anderson(32). (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(17) starts to pass out toward the sideline.

Ryan Connor(17) starts to pass out toward the sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mason Womack(22) tries to “whoa” down Red Oak Life Mustang fullback, Brandon Gibson. A 7th grader, Gibson is the son of Tisa Clemons who is an IHS alumni (’89).

Mason Womack(22) tries to “whoa” down Red Oak Life Mustang fullback, Brandon Gibson. A 7th grader, Gibson is the son of Tisa Clemons who is an IHS alumni (’89). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kevin Johnson(18) prepares to tackle a two-legged Mustang.

Italy’s Kevin Johnson(18) prepares to tackle a two-legged Mustang. (Barry Byers)

Image: Joe Celis keeps his eyes on the action.

Joe Celis keeps his eyes on the action. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s David De La Hoya(70) applies pressure on the quarterback forcing an interception.

Italy’s David De La Hoya(70) applies pressure on the quarterback forcing an interception. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Levi McBride(28) gets congratulations from his teammates after intercepting the Mustang’s. 

Italy’s Levi McBride(28) gets congratulations from his teammates after intercepting the Mustang’s.  (Barry Byers)

Image: Amber Hooker and Sarah Coleman cheer on the Gladiators.

Amber Hooker and Sarah Coleman cheer on the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaray Anderson(32) is unable to escape the Mustang defense.

Jaray Anderson(32) is unable to escape the Mustang defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Austin Pittmon(51) is on the move.

Austin Pittmon(51) is on the move. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaray Anderson(32) avoids a Mustang tackler.

Jaray Anderson(32) avoids a Mustang tackler. (Barry Byers)

Image: IJH Cheerleaders Elizabeth Garcia and Paige Little add beauty to the brawn. 

IJH Cheerleaders Elizabeth Garcia and Paige Little add beauty to the brawn.  (Barry Byers)

Image: Left defensive tackle Elliot Worsham(56) tries to get a jump on the Mustang snap.

Left defensive tackle Elliot Worsham(56) tries to get a jump on the Mustang snap. (Barry Byers)

Image: Dylan “Red Shoes” McCassland checks with the side judge for alignment.

Dylan “Red Shoes” McCassland checks with the side judge for alignment. (Barry Byers)

Image: Seeing the goal, Jaray Anderson(33) sprints in for the game tying touchdown.

Seeing the goal, Jaray Anderson(33) sprints in for the game tying touchdown. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fabian Cortez(22) and Joe Celis(6) disrupt a Mustang pass attempt allowing Cameron Carter(10) to make the interception.

Fabian Cortez(22) and Joe Celis(6) disrupt a Mustang pass attempt allowing Cameron Carter(10) to make the interception. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(28) forces a Mustang runner out-of-bounds the hard way.

Levi McBride(28) forces a Mustang runner out-of-bounds the hard way. (Barry Byers)

Image: IJH cheerleader Quintera Washington leaps high to help raise the spirit.

IJH cheerleader Quintera Washington leaps high to help raise the spirit. (Barry Byers)

Image: Amanda Coleman’s son, Damon, signals in a play call from the sidelines.

Amanda Coleman’s son, Damon, signals in a play call from the sidelines. (Barry Byers)

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