The Gladiators handle the Cougars 36-17 and improve to 3-0 in district play

Image: Devonta Simmons(9), Trevon Robertson(20), Paul Harris(7), Eric Carson(24), Jamal Lewis(11), Kevin Roldan(60), Hayden Woods(8) buckle their Gladiator helmets on tight as they prepare to step onto Cougar Field with some encouragement from Kelsey Nelson.

Devonta Simmons(9), Trevon Robertson(20), Paul Harris(7), Eric Carson(24), Jamal Lewis(11), Kevin Roldan(60), Hayden Woods(8) buckle their Gladiator helmets on tight as they prepare to step onto Cougar Field with some encouragement from Kelsey Nelson. (Barry Byers)

Image: IHS cheerleader Kelsey Nelson and mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood peek out from Italy Gladiator tunnel before the game against Leon.

IHS cheerleader Kelsey Nelson and mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood peek out from Italy Gladiator tunnel before the game against Leon. (Barry Byers)

Image: IHS cheerleaders Kelsey Nelson, Jameka Copeland, Ashley Harper, Beverly Barnhart, Kaitlyn Rossa, Destani Anderson, Bailey DeBorde and Madison Washington believe in the Gladiators!

IHS cheerleaders Kelsey Nelson, Jameka Copeland, Ashley Harper, Beverly Barnhart, Kaitlyn Rossa, Destani Anderson, Bailey DeBorde and Madison Washington believe in the Gladiators! (Barry Byers)

Image: The cheerleaders lineup for the school song during the pre-game.

The cheerleaders lineup for the school song during the pre-game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator Jaclynn Lewis is ready for the kickoff.

Lady Gladiator Jaclynn Lewis is ready for the kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Image: Devonta Simmons(9), Hayden Woods(8) and Eric Carson(24) have combined for several interceptions in the secondary this season and Simmons snagged another pick Friday night.

Devonta Simmons(9), Hayden Woods(8) and Eric Carson(24) have combined for several interceptions in the secondary this season and Simmons snagged another pick Friday night. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Regiment Marching Band higher-ups, Drenda Burk, Erica Scott and Jesus Perez mimic Kelsey Nelson as she practices her routine.

Gladiator Regiment Marching Band higher-ups, Drenda Burk, Erica Scott and Jesus Perez mimic Kelsey Nelson as she practices her routine. (Barry Byers)

Image: On defense, Jase Holden(3), who is also the Gladiator quarterback, glares across Leon’s offensive line into the eyes of Cougar senior quarterback Kirby Watson(10).

On defense, Jase Holden(3), who is also the Gladiator quarterback, glares across Leon’s offensive line into the eyes of Cougar senior quarterback Kirby Watson(10). (Barry Byers)

Image: Ethan Saxon(44) wraps up the legs of a Cougar runner as Ryheem Walker(10), Devonta Simmons(9) and Eric Carson(24) hit him high.

Ethan Saxon(44) wraps up the legs of a Cougar runner as Ryheem Walker(10), Devonta Simmons(9) and Eric Carson(24) hit him high. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase Holden(3) gives chase as Italy’s Chase Hamilton(2) latches onto a Cougar leg for the tackle behind the line of scrimmage.

Jase Holden(3) gives chase as Italy’s Chase Hamilton(2) latches onto a Cougar leg for the tackle behind the line of scrimmage. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator linebacker Ryheem Walker(10) greets Kirby Watson(10) as the Cougar QB passes to force an Italy interception by free safety Devonta Simmons. Hello!

Gladiator linebacker Ryheem Walker(10) greets Kirby Watson(10) as the Cougar QB passes to force an Italy interception by free safety Devonta Simmons. Hello! (Barry Byers)

Image: Backs Ryheem Walker(10) and Kyle Jackson(28) help build a barrier around Jase Holden(3) who steps into a pass.

Backs Ryheem Walker(10) and Kyle Jackson(28) help build a barrier around Jase Holden(3) who steps into a pass. (Barry Byers)

Image: Right offensive guard Isaac Medrano(70) helps Ryheem Walker(10) get extra yards against the Cougars as teammates Adrian Reed(64), Paul Harris(7) and Devonta Simmons(9) hustle over to assist.

Right offensive guard Isaac Medrano(70) helps Ryheem Walker(10) get extra yards against the Cougars as teammates Adrian Reed(64), Paul Harris(7) and Devonta Simmons(9) hustle over to assist. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cougar quarterback Kirby Watson(10) watches from the sideline as Gladiator quarterback Jase Holden(3) confidently approaches the line of scrimmage behind his wall of blockers, which includes: Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77), Isaac Medrano(70), Zain Byers(50), Adrian Reed(64), Omar Estrada(56) and tight end Ethan Saxon(44).

Cougar quarterback Kirby Watson(10) watches from the sideline as Gladiator quarterback Jase Holden(3) confidently approaches the line of scrimmage behind his wall of blockers, which includes: Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77), Isaac Medrano(70), Zain Byers(50), Adrian Reed(64), Omar Estrada(56) and tight end Ethan Saxon(44). (Barry Byers)

Image: Adam Michael joins his fellow Gladiator Regiment Marching Band members in wowing the Leon fans during the halftime show. Leon’s band had a great sound as well.

Adam Michael joins his fellow Gladiator Regiment Marching Band members in wowing the Leon fans during the halftime show. Leon’s band had a great sound as well. (Barry Byers)

Image: Band major, Drenda Burk, guides the band’s performance from her pedestal as Kevin Roldan, Alex Minton, Maddie Pittman and Kaytlyn Bales make some noise.

Band major, Drenda Burk, guides the band’s performance from her pedestal as Kevin Roldan, Alex Minton, Maddie Pittman and Kaytlyn Bales make some noise. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gus Allen has total focus during the halftime performance.

Gus Allen has total focus during the halftime performance. (Barry Byers)

Image: Whitney Wolaver, Brenya WIlliams and Brett Kirton help deliver, “The Beat of Champions.”

Whitney Wolaver, Brenya WIlliams and Brett Kirton help deliver, “The Beat of Champions.” (Barry Byers)

Image: JoeMack Pitts plays the sax while Reagan Adams gives the Leon faithful more cowbell. Gotta have more cowbell!

JoeMack Pitts plays the sax while Reagan Adams gives the Leon faithful more cowbell. Gotta have more cowbell! (Barry Byers)

Image: Ervin Green, the grandfather of Gladiator cornerback/receiver Eric Carson, enjoys the game from the sideline.

Ervin Green, the grandfather of Gladiator cornerback/receiver Eric Carson, enjoys the game from the sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) and Omar Estrada(56) bring down a Cougar.

Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) and Omar Estrada(56) bring down a Cougar. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s offensive line has led the way with Italy outscoring their opponents 230-61 in the Gladiators six wins this season.

Italy’s offensive line has led the way with Italy outscoring their opponents 230-61 in the Gladiators six wins this season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brandon Souder(63), Trevon Robertson(20) and Jamal Lewis(11) are feeling good after their 36-17 win over Leon.

Brandon Souder(63), Trevon Robertson(20) and Jamal Lewis(11) are feeling good after their 36-17 win over Leon. (Barry Byers)

Image: Big ol’ Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) gives Italy a big ol’ chance to claim the district championship in 2011.

Big ol’ Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) gives Italy a big ol’ chance to claim the district championship in 2011.

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