Italy’s Jr. High and JV football teams clash with the Cougars from Leon

Image: Austin and Aaron Pittmon make a four-man front for the Jr. High Gladiators.

Austin and Aaron Pittmon make a four-man front for the Jr. High Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Joe Celis(6) takes the pitch out of the backfield.

Italy’s Joe Celis(6) takes the pitch out of the backfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Amber Hooker tries out her new pom-pom, Kaci Bales.

Amber Hooker tries out her new pom-pom, Kaci Bales. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mason Womack(88) brings down a Cougar to foil Leon’s sweep.

Mason Womack(88) brings down a Cougar to foil Leon’s sweep. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Carl Jaynes(99) fights off a Leon blocker.

Italy’s Carl Jaynes(99) fights off a Leon blocker. (Barry Byers)

Image: And down he goes! Several Gladiators bring down a Cougar runner.

And down he goes! Several Gladiators bring down a Cougar runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Aidan Callahan talks with the Jr. High Gladiators after the game.

Coach Aidan Callahan talks with the Jr. High Gladiators after the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Bailey Walton(52) gets ready for the Cougars.

JV Gladiator Bailey Walton(52) gets ready for the Cougars. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator captains Chace McGinnis(85) and Kyle Fortenberry(66) wish the Leon captain and his team good luck.

JV Gladiator captains Chace McGinnis(85) and Kyle Fortenberry(66) wish the Leon captain and his team good luck. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(10) comes out throwing and completes a pass to Shad Newman.

Marvin Cox(10) comes out throwing and completes a pass to Shad Newman. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox hands off to Justin Wood.

Marvin Cox hands off to Justin Wood. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(10) fakes the handoff to Woods(48) and keeps around the left side of the Cougar defense.

Marvin Cox(10) fakes the handoff to Woods(48) and keeps around the left side of the Cougar defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kelton Bales(75) and Bailey Walton(52) bring down a Leon runner.

Kelton Bales(75) and Bailey Walton(52) bring down a Leon runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Jr High/JV cheerleaders Kaci Bales, Lizzie Garcia, Amber Hooker, Halee Turner, Jozie Perkins, Britney Chambers, Hannah Washington and Quintera Washington carry Italy on their shoulders.

Italy Jr High/JV cheerleaders Kaci Bales, Lizzie Garcia, Amber Hooker, Halee Turner, Jozie Perkins, Britney Chambers, Hannah Washington and Quintera Washington carry Italy on their shoulders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Medrano(32), Kelton Bales(75), Shad Newman(25) and Colin Newman(72) help teammate Justin Wood(48) punch thru Leon’s defenses.

Cody Medrano(32), Kelton Bales(75), Shad Newman(25) and Colin Newman(72) help teammate Justin Wood(48) punch thru Leon’s defenses. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(10) breaks outside for an Italy touchdown.

Marvin Cox(10) breaks outside for an Italy touchdown. (Barry Byers)

Image: Justin Wood(48) runs in for the 2-point conversion.

Justin Wood(48) runs in for the 2-point conversion. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry(66) kicks off while Colin Newman(72), Cody Boyd(36), Chace McGinnis(85) and Justin Wood(48) give chase.

Kyle Fortenberry(66) kicks off while Colin Newman(72), Cody Boyd(36), Chace McGinnis(85) and Justin Wood(48) give chase. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Escamilla(88) just misses recovering Fortenberry’s kickoff before it goes out-of-bounds.

John Escamilla(88) just misses recovering Fortenberry’s kickoff before it goes out-of-bounds. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Boyd(36) tackles a loose Cougar with teammate Marvin Cox(10) rushing over to assist.

Cody Boyd(36) tackles a loose Cougar with teammate Marvin Cox(10) rushing over to assist. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shad Newman(25) follows the lead block of Justin Wood(48) who punished unsuspecting Cougar defenders throughout the game.

Shad Newman(25) follows the lead block of Justin Wood(48) who punished unsuspecting Cougar defenders throughout the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Follow Me! Colin Newman(72) taxis Marvin Cox(10) thru traffic.

Follow Me! Colin Newman(72) taxis Marvin Cox(10) thru traffic. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lizzie Garcia and Quintera Washington are proud Italy cheerleaders.

Lizzie Garcia and Quintera Washington are proud Italy cheerleaders. (Barry Byers)

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