Gladiators share district title with Centerville after 14-12 upset by the Tigers

Image: Gladiator quarterback Jase Holden(3) huddles with his offensive unit during pre-game warmups. — Gladiator quarterback Jase Holden(3) huddles with his offensive unit during pre-game warmups. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator kicker Braulio Luna(74) gets ready for the game. — Gladiator kicker Braulio Luna(74) gets ready for the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: IHS cheerleaders Ashley Harper, Felicia Little, Beverly Barnhart, Destani Anderson and Jameka Copeland are all decked out in their Gladiator gear. — IHS cheerleaders Ashley Harper, Felicia Little, Beverly Barnhart, Destani Anderson and Jameka Copeland are all decked out in their Gladiator gear. (Barry Byers)

Image: Paul Harris(7) gets reps in at wide receiver before the game. — Paul Harris(7) gets reps in at wide receiver before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator tunnel crew are Gary Wood, Bryce DeBorde, Gary Escamilla and Bubba Jackson. — Gladiator tunnel crew are Gary Wood, Bryce DeBorde, Gary Escamilla and Bubba Jackson. (Barry Byers)

Image: IHS cheerleaders Madison Washington, Meagan Hooker and Kelsey Nelson are ready to cheer on the Gladiators! — IHS cheerleaders Madison Washington, Meagan Hooker and Kelsey Nelson are ready to cheer on the Gladiators! (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators huddle together as a team before the game against Centerville. — Gladiators huddle together as a team before the game against Centerville. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jody Pate Cooley, proud grandmother of Gladiator, Brandon Souder(63), wasn’t about to miss the game in Centerville. Go Italy! — Jody Pate Cooley, proud grandmother of Gladiator, Brandon Souder(63), wasn’t about to miss the game in Centerville. Go Italy! (Barry Byers)

Image: IHS cheerleaders Ashley Harper and Felicia Little have fun before the game. — IHS cheerleaders Ashley Harper and Felicia Little have fun before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator captains are Jase Holden(3), Omar Estrada(56), Kyle Jackson(28) and Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77). — Gladiator captains are Jase Holden(3), Omar Estrada(56), Kyle Jackson(28) and Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77). (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood carries the Gladiators on her shoulders. — Gladiator mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood carries the Gladiators on her shoulders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Omar Estrada(56), Ryheem Walker(10), Jalarnce Lewis(11) and Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) are set on defense. — Italy’s Omar Estrada(56), Ryheem Walker(10), Jalarnce Lewis(11) and Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) are set on defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiators try to punch it in down on Centerville’s goal line. Quarterback Jase Holden(3) score on a 1-yard plunge. — The Gladiators try to punch it in down on Centerville’s goal line. Quarterback Jase Holden(3) score on a 1-yard plunge. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator assistant coach Jeff Richters talks strategy with Italy’s offensive line, consisting of Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77), Isaac Medrano(70), Adrian Reed(64), Zain Byers(50) and Omar Estrada(56). — Gladiator assistant coach Jeff Richters talks strategy with Italy’s offensive line, consisting of Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77), Isaac Medrano(70), Adrian Reed(64), Zain Byers(50) and Omar Estrada(56). (Barry Byers)

Image: Centerville’s defensive end Jamal High(15) has his hands full with Gladiator right tackle Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) who drives High away from the play. — Centerville’s defensive end Jamal High(15) has his hands full with Gladiator right tackle Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) who drives High away from the play. (Barry Byers)

The remaining members of the 1954 Italy Gladiators were on hand to watch the game. And the stories they had to tell. They played in leather helmets their freshman season before wearing brand new plastic Riddell helmets their Sophomore season. No facemasks by the way. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Trevon Robertson(20) and the Gladiators try to knock out the Tigers. — Italy’s Trevon Robertson(20) and the Gladiators try to knock out the Tigers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Trevon Robertson(20) and Eric Carson(24) bring down a Tiger runner. — Italy’s Trevon Robertson(20) and Eric Carson(24) bring down a Tiger runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Defensive linemen Isaac Medrano(70) and Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) get set to attack the Tigers with linebacker Ryheem Walker(10) stalking the Centerville backfield. — Defensive linemen Isaac Medrano(70) and Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) get set to attack the Tigers with linebacker Ryheem Walker(10) stalking the Centerville backfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s cheer crew makes noise along the Gladiator sideline. — Italy’s cheer crew makes noise along the Gladiator sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Backed up on their side of the field, Jase Holden(3) and the Gladiators try to mount a game-winning drive. — Backed up on their side of the field, Jase Holden(3) and the Gladiators try to mount a game-winning drive. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator head coach Craig Bales uses his old linebacker stance to view the play. — Gladiator head coach Craig Bales uses his old linebacker stance to view the play. (Barry Byers)

Image: After the 14-12 loss to Centerville, Coach Bales reminds his team that a share of the district championship is still a district championship and that its time to go get a playoff win. — After the 14-12 loss to Centerville, Coach Bales reminds his team that a share of the district championship is still a district championship and that its time to go get a playoff win. (Barry Byers)

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