JV action:
Leon’s kickoff results in a touchback. Marvin Cox passes on Italy’s first possession and hits Shad Newman along the JV Gladiator sideline. The pass play setup a long run by Justin Wood to Leon’s 45-yard line. Italy’s drive stalls there and the Cougars begin from their forty-five, 6:32 to play in the first quarter.

Italy’s defense holds and forces a punt on fourth and eight that come to a rest at the JV Gladiator 24-yard line, 5:30 on the clock. Cox executes a quarterback keeper for 11-yards and a first down at the 34-yard line. Cox carries for a first down plus a 15-yard face mask penalty is tacked on to the Cougar thirty-nine. Cox dashes around the left side for a 39-yard touchdown scamper to put Italy’s JV up 6-0. Justin Wood adds the 2-point conversion and the home team leads 8-0 with 3:34 to play in the opening quarter.

Leon starts from their own 45-yard line after a Kyle Fortenberry onside kick attempt is pounced on by John Escamilla but ruled out-of-bounds along Italy’s sideline. The Cougars are forced to punt it away, yet again, and Cox returns the kick all the way for another Italy touchdown, almost. A clipping penalty keeps the points, at least temporarily, off the board as the ball is marked back to Italy’s 38-yard line, 2:13 left in the quarter.

Wood carries for ten and a first down to Leon’s 48-yard line. S. Newman runs for eight more yards. Cox follows a crushing block, delivered by Wood, for a first down to Leon’s 41-yard line as the quarter comes to an end with Italy in front 8-0.

A fumble in Italy’s backfield eventually stalls the drive early in the second quarter. Leon manages to advance the ball deep into Italy territory on their following possession but a Cougar fumble foils any plans for points. Moments later, Wood breaks away for a 25-yard run to Leon’s 15-yard line. Cox is held to no gain and on second down throws incomplete, intended for teammate Cody Boyd. Italy looses the ball in their backfield, once more, but Cox scoops it up and tries to find an opening. Wood takes out two Cougars with another bone-jarring block but the JV Gladiators suffer a 5-yard loss on the play. The ball is marked at the 20-yard line to bring up fourth down with 0:49 to play before halftime.

Cox passes for Wood incomplete in the endzone for a turnover on downs. an unsportsmanlike penalty called against Leon causes them to begin at their own 18-yard line with 0:45 to play. Colin Newman slams down a Cougar runner after a 3-yard gain to help bring the first half to a close.

Fortenberry’s kick to start the second half is downed by the Cougars at their own 20-yard line. JV Gladiator noseguard Hank Seabolt strings out a wide run attempt by Leon to highlight Italy’s defensive effort that stalls the Cougars offense at their own 32-yard line. Cox gets a solid return after the punt to setup up a lengthy drive by Italy deep into Cougar territory. Another long gain by Cox and a Cougar penalty gives Italy a first down at the enemies twenty with 3:34 to play in the third.

Two runs by Wood push the ball to the Cougar 6-yard line and and two more carries by the skillful sophomore place Italy at Leon’s one yard line to end the quarter.

Cox scores from 1-yard out early in the fourth and Italy extends their advantage 14-0 with 9:54 remaining in the game. The conversion failed.

As the score trailers began to move the ball after Fortenberry’s kickoff, Italy’s Cody Medrano pressured Leon’s quarterback to force an incomplete pass during the Cougars’ desperation drive. Two plays later, Leon turns it over on downs at Italy’s 29-yard line. Wood hits the off right tackle hole and breaks a tackle to find running room down Italy’s sideline. In a full sprint, Wood is taken out by a Cougar defender at the Leon 4-yard line. Wood pounds the Willis Field turf in disappointment but crosses the goal line three-plays later to make the JV Gladiator lead 20-0. Escamilla shoots in on a slant pattern and secures the pass from Cox for the 2-point conversion, 22-0 Italy leads with 2:45 on the game clock.

Leon eventually turns the ball over on downs to the stingy Italy defense helped immensely by Darol Mayberry, C. Newman, Kelton Bales, S. Newman, Bailey Walton, Chace McGinnis, Boyd, Fortenberry, Seabolt, Escamilla, Cox and Wood. Wait a second, isn’t that basically the offensive unit for Italy’s JV Gladiators? Love that ironman football, JV Gladiator style!

Cox takes a knee within the victory formation to end the game at the Leon 25-yard line as Italy’s JV Gladiators win 22-0 at home. 

Jr. High Action:
With cheerleaders Kaci Bales, Lizzie Garcia, Amber Hooker, Halee Turner, Jozie Perkins, Britney Chambers, Hannah Washington and Quintera Washington cheering them on, Italy’s Jr. High Gladiators, around twenty-seven of them, got first chance at the Leon Cougars on Thursday. Unfortunately, it was the Cougars that were the first to get on the scoreboard as Leon ran away with this one, 38-0. Italy has an exciting mixture of talent, however, and it’s just a matter of time before this squad begins to accumulate wins.

With powerful, larger than life lineman, such as twin armored tanks Aaron and Austin Pittmon, David De La Hoya, Justin Henderson, Kenneth Norwood and center Brandon Connor leading the way for skill backs Ryan Connor, Chasston King, Jaray Anderson, Cameron Carter and Joseph Celis, it is just a matter of time.

In fact, Italy’s Jr. High squad is loaded with quality linemen. Elliot Worsham, James Walton, Hunter Ballard, Michael Hughes and Aaron Latimer help round out a front line of blockers, that are not only aggressive, but are getting better with each snap.  

Receivers are in abundance, as well, with Levi McBride, Fabian Cortez, Darren Cisneros, Mason Womack, Ty Windham and Dylan McCassland each capable of making the big catch or the downfield block that results in a big play.

Now, imagine all that muscle available to reinforce a defensive regiment that can also plug in Devon Bowles, Eli Garcia, Jorge Galvan or the ever menacing Carl Jaynes, and well, it’s just a matter of time. As a fan of Italy High School sports, I sleep easy at night knowing more Gladiators are on their way!

Go Gladiators!