Italy, Texas — Everything Gladiator head coach Craig Bales and his staff have strategized since two-a-day practices began was in preparation for their team’s district competition and Friday night offered their first divisional challenge against the Blooming Grove Lions. If that wasn’t exciting enough, it was also Italy’s homecoming game which capped off a week long celebration as the students at Italy High School showed their support and prepared for the influx of returning alumni.

The Award-winning Gladiator Regiment Marching Band, under the direction of Jesus Perez and assistant director Erica Scott, began with an amazing pre-game on field performance with drum major Drenda Burk and assistant drum major C.J. Enriquez guiding the beat. Drumline captain Brett Kirton and his fellow band members helped set the tone for what was about to be an exciting night of Gladiator football.

There were some tense moments for the Gladiators in the first quarter, however, after Italy’s first possession ended on downs at the Lion 40-yard line and with Blooming Grove’s offense appearing unstoppable on their ensuing drive. Gladiator defensive coordinator Jeff Richters was active early and his defenders in gold responded, holding the Lions to a 25-yard field goal put in by Tyler Morris to give Blooming Grove a 3-0 advantage, 2:17 left in the first.

Italy began to move the ball on their next possession with the help of a roll out completion from Jase Holden, the arm of the armour, to Devonta Simmons picked up a first down. Italy fumbled on their next play and Lions recovered at Italy’s 34-yard line to end the quarter, as the tension mounted for Gladiator fans.

To start the second quarter, the Lions encroached into scoring position but a fumbled snap is recovered by defensive end, Paul Harris, and the Gladiators offense retakes the field. The very next play saw Italy’s Ryheem Walker avoided tacklers behind the line of scrimmage and then proceed to run for a 75-yard touchdown. Willis Field’s stands were rocking as Walker stretches over for the conversion to give Italy an 8-0 lead and the momentum.

Harris and Trevon Robertson make the tackle on the ensuing kickoff for the Gladiators and Blooming Grove starts its own 44-yard line. Zain Byers and Walker combine for a stop to bring up second and seven but the Lions run left for a first down on the next play to the forty-five of Italy. Ethan Saxon makes the tackle to move the Lions back one yard, and then on second down, a near pick by a diving Holden brings up third and eleven. Pressure up the middle by Byers from the noseguard position draws a holding penalty on the Lions as Walker forces Lion quarterback Jayd Kirby to throw the ball away.

With the penalty declined, Blooming Grove punts on fourth and eleven backing the Gladiators all the way to their 12-yard line with 6:04 left in the first half. Walker picks up 9-yards on the first carry then takes another handoff from Holden and wills his way to Italy’s 29-yard line. On the next play, Holden uses Walker as a decoy and breaks for a 71-yard touchdown scamper as he jukes a Lion tackler on his way to the endzone. Walker passes to Holden for the conversion and Italy leads 16-3.

An excited Holden modestly commented after the play, “I don’t see how Ryheem [Walker] does it? I’m tired!”

Braulio Luna, filling in for injured kicker Kevin Roldan, sails the following kickoff out-of-bounds and the Lions start from their own 40-yard line. Italy’s defense holds again and despite an 8-yard run by Carson, after Italy once again had possession, the Gladiator drive stalls as does one last Lion drive to end the first half of play with Italy leading 16-3.

Halftime:
Hafltime featured the crowning of Italy High School’s 2011 Homecoming Queen with Megan Richards, escorted by her father Allen Richards, receiving the honor. 2010 Homecoming Queen Shelbi Gilley presented Richards with her crown, Ross Stiles provided the sash and Kaytlyn Bales offered Richards a bouquet of flowers. Along with Richards, Homecoming nominees were Sa’Kendra Norwood, Bailey Bumpus, Destani Anderson and Jimesha Reed. Sierra Harris, Haylee Love and Kelsey Nelson were Homecoming Princesses. Omar Estrada was named Homecoming King earlier in the day during the pep rally held in downtown Italy.

Blooming Grove starts the second half at their 43-yard line. A sack by Jackson, a tackle by Walker and an incomplete screen pass attempt by the Lions results in a punt. Italy begins from their 29-yard line but the Gladiators are unable to overcome a sack on Holden setting up a Jackson punt from the twenty-one. The punt careens off a Blooming Grove blocker and Italy’s Carson snags the free ball before being knocked out of bounds at the Lion 45-yard line with 8:27 left in the third and receives a hug from a jubilant Coach Richters.

Holden connects with Simmons for a gain of four. Jalarnce Jamal Lewis carries for four more, third and two. On fourth and one, Jackson runs behind Byers, Adrian Reed and Isaac Medrano for a first down up the gut of the Lions defense with 6:10 on the clock at Blooming Grove’s 34-yard line. Holden shoots for the endzone but Simmons is unable to snare the pass in bounds. Lions linebacker Ty Chambers tackles Walker to bring up third and ten. Holden connects with Simmons on a quick pass and Simmons does the rest and strides in for a 33-yard touchdown with 5:02 left on the third quarter clock. Chambers stops Walker on the conversion try but Italy takes a commanding 22-3 lead.

The Lions start from their 41-yard line and consecutive pass completions from Kirby to Travis Whiteside and then Tyler Morris, followed by a personal foul charged to Italy on a Lion incomplete pass gives Blooming Grove a first down at the Gladiator 10-yard line. And then it happened. One of they greatest defensive plays ever turned in by a Gladiator defender on Willis Field.

Kirby drops back to pass and let’s it fly. Gladiator defensive tackle Larry Mayberry, Jr. leaps high in the air, rips down the attempt and escapes a lunging tackle from a Lion offensive lineman before turning the corner and rumbling past Italy’s home stands. Gladiator fans urged the senior tackle forward as teammates created a protective barrier around Mayberry while he headed for the endzone. Hayden Woods chipped a Lion lineman in pursuit as did Byers and Omar Estrada.

Blooming Grove’s Brandon Hayes had a chance to catch Mayberry from behind but a crushing block by Simmons took Hayes out of the play and out-of-bounds. Trevon Robertson peeled back for another block while Chase Hamilton plastered Morris at the goal line. Carson escorted Mayberry into the endzone while signaling #1 to the crowd to complete the 90-yard interception return for the touchdown by Mayberry to make the score 28-3. The play conjured up memories of a play by Gladiator senior noseguard Jimmy Shelby when he snagged a fumble out of the air and sprinted past the home stands for a 50-yard touchdown to give Italy a 6-0 win over Itasca back in 1984. “Mayberry’s Moment” certainly ranks up there as one of Italy’s all time best defensive plays and for it to occur on Homecoming night for the senior makes it extra special.

Italy’s conversion attempt was thwarted by the Lions, but when Mayberry made it to the sideline, he was hugged by his father, assistant coach Larry Mayberry, Sr., and congratulated by teammates.

Luna’s kickoff pens the Lions deep but a pass from Kirby to Whiteside, who survives a hard hit from Simmons and hangs on to the ball, gives Blooming Grove a first down in Gladiator territory with 2:29 still to play in the quarter. Kirby keeps and advances the ball to the Italy thirty-five and then keeps again tot he fifteen. After some back-and-forth and penalties on both teams, Walker sacks Whiteside back at the 34-yard line to bring up fourth and twenty. The Lions go for it and Kirby passes to Whiteside who breaks several tackles in route to Blooming Grove’s only touchdown of the contest. Morris boots in the extra point to make the score 28-10 with 9:55 remaining.

Italy sends out their hands team for the ensuing kickoff but Kirby grabs the trick kick before it lands out, securing another offensive possession for the Lions at Italy’s 47-yard line. Kirby’s first pass falls incomplete with Woods playing tight coverage for the Gladiators. Kirby throws incomplete again to bring up third and ten. Mayberry chases Kirby from the pocket allowing Estrada to bring the Lion quarterback down at the line of scrimmage. Kirby’s fourth down pass is caught but Carson makes the tackle short of the first down marker and Italy takes over on downs with 8:47 to play.

Italy is unable to pick up a first down after three run attempts and punts it away penning the Lions deep. Walker gets to Kirby as he passes out of his own endzone and Jackson intercepts and returns it to the 2-yard line of Blooming Grove. Coach Bales rewards Jackson who reaches across the goal line for another Gladiator touchdown. Jackson catches the 2-point conversion pass, as well, and Italy goes on to defeat the Lions 36-10 to go 1-0 in district play and 4-2 overall while riding a three-game win streak.

Immediately following the game was the closing ceremony presented by IHS students. Gladiator mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood defeated Italy’s “rivals” and triumphantly pulled the Gladiator sword from a stone to signify, “2011 is our year!” As the crowd cheered, a large constructed letter “I” was lit up at midfield as students and fans leaped and cheered even louder. Awesome!

Italy’s next district challenge will be against the Buffalo Bison who come off a 16-15 district win over Centerville. The game will be Friday night at Willis Field in Italy and starts at 7:30 p.m. Total fan support will be mandatory for this one!

Go Gladiators!