Gladiators playoff bound after 36-26 win over Axtell

Image: Senior Gladiators Omar Estrada(56), Kyle Jackson(28), Isaac Medrano(70), Brandon Souder(63), Jase Holden(3), Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77), Ethan Saxon(44) and Devonta Simmons(9) pose after defeating the Axtell Longhorns 36-26 in what would be the final home game for these classmates.

Senior Gladiators Omar Estrada(56), Kyle Jackson(28), Isaac Medrano(70), Brandon Souder(63), Jase Holden(3), Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77), Ethan Saxon(44) and Devonta Simmons(9) pose after defeating the Axtell Longhorns 36-26 in what would be the final home game for these classmates. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Devonta Simmons(9), Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) and Omar Estrada(56) take a moment before the game to join their senior classmates for the pre-game “Senior Night” introductions.

Gladiators Devonta Simmons(9), Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) and Omar Estrada(56) take a moment before the game to join their senior classmates for the pre-game “Senior Night” introductions. (Barry Byers)

Image: IHS Cheerleader, Kaitlyn Rossa, supports her beau and Gladiator quarterback, Jase Holden(3).

IHS Cheerleader, Kaitlyn Rossa, supports her beau and Gladiator quarterback, Jase Holden(3). (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior lineman, Omar Estrada.

Senior lineman, Omar Estrada. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior quarterback, Jase Holden.

Senior quarterback, Jase Holden. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior lineman, Larry Mayberry, Jr.

Senior lineman, Larry Mayberry, Jr. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior lineman, Isaac Medrano.

Senior lineman, Isaac Medrano. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Linebacker/Tight End, Ethan Saxon.

Senior Linebacker/Tight End, Ethan Saxon. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Reveiver/Free Safety, Devonta Simmons.

Senior Reveiver/Free Safety, Devonta Simmons. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Center/Linebacker, Brandon Souder.

Senior Center/Linebacker, Brandon Souder. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator head coach, Craig Bales, stands with the team and their cheerleaders during the pre-game prayer.

Gladiator head coach, Craig Bales, stands with the team and their cheerleaders during the pre-game prayer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77), Tony Wooldridge(6) and several of their Gladiator teammates join their fans during pre-kickoff sword chop. 

Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77), Tony Wooldridge(6) and several of their Gladiator teammates join their fans during pre-kickoff sword chop.  (Barry Byers)

Image: Braulio Luna(74) gets set to kickoff as Kyle Jackson(28), Paul Harris(7), Ethan Saxon(44), Jase Holden(3), Chase Hamilton(2), Eric Carson(24) and Ryheem Walker(10) get ready to hit somebody!

Braulio Luna(74) gets set to kickoff as Kyle Jackson(28), Paul Harris(7), Ethan Saxon(44), Jase Holden(3), Chase Hamilton(2), Eric Carson(24) and Ryheem Walker(10) get ready to hit somebody! (Barry Byers)

Image: IHS Cheerleader Jameka Copeland and Gladiator mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood (Senior), clap for the home team.

IHS Cheerleader Jameka Copeland and Gladiator mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood (Senior), clap for the home team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator assistant coach, Larry Mayberry, Sr., tends to a jammed finger on junior lineman Adrian Reed(64).

Gladiator assistant coach, Larry Mayberry, Sr., tends to a jammed finger on junior lineman Adrian Reed(64). (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase Holden(3) call the play and then the Gladiators break the huddle to start their first offensive possession against the Longhorns.

Jase Holden(3) call the play and then the Gladiators break the huddle to start their first offensive possession against the Longhorns. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Chase Hamilton(2) cuts down a Longhorn defender to make room for tailback Ryheem Walker(10).

Gladiator Chase Hamilton(2) cuts down a Longhorn defender to make room for tailback Ryheem Walker(10). (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Brandon Souder(63) motivates junior Ryheem Walker during a break on the sideline. 

Senior Brandon Souder(63) motivates junior Ryheem Walker during a break on the sideline.  (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Jackson(28) and Chase Hamilton(2) are ready to receive a Longhorn kickoff.

Kyle Jackson(28) and Chase Hamilton(2) are ready to receive a Longhorn kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Image: Braulio Luna(74), Isaac Medrano(70) and Brandon Souder(63) discuss the game’s happenings from the Gladiator sideline.

Braulio Luna(74), Isaac Medrano(70) and Brandon Souder(63) discuss the game’s happenings from the Gladiator sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Devonta Simmons(9) makes a diving grab in the endzone for a 2-point conversion catch to put the game out of reach for the Longhorns. Simmons had two touchdown receptions as well, in his final home game as a Gladiator.

Devonta Simmons(9) makes a diving grab in the endzone for a 2-point conversion catch to put the game out of reach for the Longhorns. Simmons had two touchdown receptions as well, in his final home game as a Gladiator. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Kyle Jackson(28) stands proud with his parents after Italy’s 36-26 win over Axtell.

Senior Kyle Jackson(28) stands proud with his parents after Italy’s 36-26 win over Axtell. (Barry Byers)

Image: Here’s looking at you! Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77), Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(11) and Adrian Reed(64) look ahead to the Centerville game after defeating Axtell.

Here’s looking at you! Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77), Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(11) and Adrian Reed(64) look ahead to the Centerville game after defeating Axtell. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Walk. During what has become a tradition at the conclusion of each home game, senior Gladiators take one last walk across Willis Field and reflect on the battles they fought together and the memories they’ve shared.

Senior Walk. During what has become a tradition at the conclusion of each home game, senior Gladiators take one last walk across Willis Field and reflect on the battles they fought together and the memories they’ve shared. (Barry Byers)

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