Gladiators enjoy pep rally and bonfire sendoff before playoff game
The Gladiator Regiment Band leads the way!
The Italy Gladiators are on their way to the top. With 4 district wins under their collective belt, Italy takes on the Franklin Lions in the bi-district championship playoff game with the help of head coach Craig Bales. The IHS overall record is 7-3 with the district record of 4-1. With the wind, fire and spirit in their souls, they could just pull this off.
The moon was full as the crowd gathered behind the Gladiator field house for a spirited pep-rally. The Lady Gladiator cheerleaders arrived on the back of an Italy fire truck and quickly rallied the fans. The Gladiator Regiment Band provided the beat of champions before Larry Mayberry and Jase Holden lit the fire. Burn, baby, burn! The Gladiators will travel to Buffalo on Friday to take on the Franklin Lions (8-2, 4-1).
The stats don’t lie and according to the maxpreps website, the top three players in rushing to watch are #10 Ryheem Walker, #11 Jalarnce Lewis and #28 Kyle Jackson.
In receiving, watch Simmons with 27, 420 yards and averaging 420 yards; #24 Eric Carson has received 6, gaining 52 yards and averaging 8.67 per game; Jackson has received 4, gaining 45 yards and averaging 11.25 per game.
Jackson has punted 18 times gaining 596 yards, averaging 33.11 per game.
Eric Carson has averaged 14.80 kickoff returns gaining 74 yards and caught 5. Tied with Carson is #2 Chase Hamilton gaining 55 yards and averaging 11.00 per game.
Scoring points for the season:
- #10 R. Walker-106
- #28 K. Jackson-42
- #9 D. Simmons-40
- #11 J. Lewis-36
- #3 J. Holden-18
- #44 E. Saxon-8
- #2 C. Hamilton-6
- #24 E. Carson-6
- #77 L. Mayberry-6
The team’s totals are great too. 79.1 passing yards per game, 223.9 rushing yards per game, passing completion is 46, completion percentage is .465, passing touchdowns are 9, with 29.8 points per game.
The battle between Italy and Franklin will begin at 7:30 p.m.