BUFFALO — The Italy Gladiators, who finished 4-1 in district and 7-4 overall, where the underdogs going into last Friday’s bi-district playoff game against the Franklin Lions. For the first three-quarters, however, it was anyone’s game as Italy stood cleat to paw with the Lions in a fast-paced high scoring contest.

Before the opening kickoff, Italy’s own Kaci Bales, an 8th grader and daughter of Gladiator head coach Craig Bales and his wife Jenny, sang a lovely rendition of the Star Spangled Banner to set the tone for the game.

Braulio Luna kicked off for the Gladiators and Franklin began from their own 40-yard line. The Lions blasted off the line of scrimmage and quickly drove inside Italy’s 30-yard line. Italy’s Kyle Jackson and Jalarnce Lewis combined for a stop to hold the Lions and bring up 4th and 6 at the Gladiator 26. Lion head coach, Mike Hedrick, relies on his main weapon, Darius Floyd, who picks the first down and more all the way to Italy’s 2-yard line. Jackson upending Floyd in the hopes of setting up a goal line stand for the Gladiators. Floyd wasted no time and scored on his next carry to give Franklin a 7-0 lead after the point after kick sailed thru, 8:22 on the clock.

Franklin kicks off and Chase Hamilton escapes to the 45-yard line of the Lions thanks to double-team block from Walker and Devonta Simmons. Gladiator quarterback, Jase Holden hands off to Ryheem Walker who needs just two carries to give Italy a 1st down at the 34-yard line. Carries by Walker and Jackson bring up 3rd and 6 when Holden keeps and cuts behind a Zain Byers block for a first down scamper to the Lion 15. Walker runs over a Lion defender and streaks into the endzone to make the score 7-6. Gladiator tight-end, Ethan Saxon, catches the conversion pass from Walker as Italy takes the lead 8-7 with 5:42 still to play in the first.

Luna kicks off and the Lions begin from their 37-yard line. The Gladiator defense stifles the Lion attack and Franklin attempts a punt on 4th down. The snap deflects off the upback’s helmet and Omar Estrada pounces on the bouncing ball for Italy at the Lion 40.

Wideout, Trevon Robertson, leads the way for Walker who reaches the Lion 18-yard line. Two carries by Walker and Jackson setup a scoring run by Walker who is tackled from behind as he falls into the endzone. Italy leads 14-7 after Walker’s conversion attempt is thwarted by the Lions, 2:01 left in the quarter.

A short kickoff by Luna gives Franklin the ball at the Lion 46. Hamilton holds the Lions to a 1-yard gain on the first play. Mitch Williams passes incomplete on the next play as the Lions attempted a big strike downfield. A Saxon tackle forces the Lions into another punting situation with Eric Carson fielding the kick. Unfortunately, an illegal substitution penalty charged to Italy provides the Lions a 1st down at the Gladiator 48-yard line. The Lions run to the 34 to end the quarter.

Floyd breaks away to start the second-quarter and Simmons brings the Lion speedster down at the Gladiator 12-yard line. Walker and Estrada stop the Lions for a gain of 2 but Franklin reaches the 1-yard line on their next play call with Hamilton and Hayden Woods making the tackle for Italy. With 10:34 to play in the second-quarter, Franklin scores their second touchdown and ties the game with a successful point after kick, 14-14.

Jackson returns the ensuing Lion kickoff to the Gladiator 48-yard line. False start on Italy makes it 1st and 15. A pass from Holden to Simmons is nearly intercepted to bring up 2nd and 15. Italy is unable to get a first down and opts to punt it away. Franklin blocks the kick by Jackson and covers the ball at Italy’s 33-yard line with 8:52 remaining before halftime.

The Lions get to Italy’s 4-yard line on their first carry with Simmons making the touchdown saving stop. Franklin fumbles the pitch in their backfield to bring up 2nd and goal from the 7-yard line. Floyd gets the call on the next play and once he’s locked on the endzone dives straight ahead for the go-ahead touchdown, 20-14, with 8:10 displayed on the first half clock. The point after kick is true to give Franklin a 21-14 advantage.

Jackson can only reach the Gladiator 31-yard line on the ensuing kickoff. Carries by Walker, Jackson and then Walker again leaves Italy facing a 4th and inches at their own 41 after the measurement. A no-guts-no-glory call by Coach Bales allows Walker to get the yard needed for the first down to the 42. Jackson takes the handoff from Holden and hits a huge hole between Byers and right guard Isaac Medrano. Estrada pulls thru and leads for Jackson as the senior fullback sprints 58-yards for a Gladiator touchdown. Walker hits Simmons with the 2-point conversion pass to regain the lead for Italy, 22-21, with 5:58 still to play in the half.

Luna kicks off for Italy. Shad Newman and Justin Wood make the tackle on the Lion return man at the Franklin 26-yard line. Two plays in, Franklin fumbles the ball but recovers it for a first down. On the next play, Floyd gets into the clear and travels 67-yards for the Lion touchdown. The point after kick slices between the uprights as Franklin reclaims the advantage, 28-22, with 4:13 on the clock.

Jackson receives the kickoff and is tackled at Italy’s 33-yard line. Walker gains a yard and then Holden connects with Simmons for a first down pass to the 43 with 2:30 showing. Walker carries and Jackson gets the handoff as Italy ventures into Lion territory to the Franklin 32-yard line, 1:37 to go.

Holden airs a pass to Simmons who beats the coverage but is unable to make the grab at the goal line. Next play, Holden uses a Brett Farve-like move to hit Walker with a pass. After the catch, Walker advances the ball to the Lion 14. Walker then carries up the middle to the Lion’s 7-yard line leaving 0:59 on the clock and ticking down. Italy is charged with illegal procedure before Byers can even get his hand on the ball to snap it and Italy is moved backward 5-yards, temporarily stopping the clock with 0:42 left. Walker runs to the 3-yard line with 0:32 remaining. Walker makes a catch but only reach the 1-yard line, which is good enough for a 1st down with 0:21 to go. Holden tries a keeper and Italy is flagged for illegal procedure, yet again. With 0:21 to play, the ball spotted at the 6 and no timeouts left, Coach Bales decides to pass for the possible lead-changing score.

Holden attempts three passes but none produce the desired result. On 4th down, Holden bails out of the pocket and heads for the far right pylon. Holden dives for the pylon and touches it with the ball in hand, seemingly, regaining the lead for the Gladiators. The sideline judge ruled Holden’s knee was down back at the 2 and Franklin takes over on downs and takes the momentum away from Italy as the first half comes to a close. Franklin continues to lead 28-22 at the break.

The Gladiator Regiment Band forms a half circle in front of Italy’s stands to perform their halftime routine. Drum Major Drenda Berk and Assistant Drum Major C.J. Enriquez take turns at the helm as the band’s director Jesus Perez and Assistant Director Erica Scott enjoy the performance along with the fans.

Italy receives the kickoff to start the second half. Hamilton returns the kick to the Gladiator 35-yard line. Walker breaks to the 42 of Franklin but tweaks his ankle and temporarily exits the game. A carry by Jackson and two runs by Jalarnce Lewis give Italy a first down at Franklin’s 31-yard line. Walker returns and gets the call. A second effort by Walker gives Italy a first down at the Lion 20. Walker uses two carries to reach the 15. On 3rd and 5, walker runs left behind Estrada and Larry Mayberry, Jr. for a 15-yard touchdown and the lead. The conversion pass failed but the Gladiators tie the game 28-28 with 7:53 to play in the third.

Franklin counters with a 2-yard touchdown dive at the 6:32 mark of the third quarter to take back control of the game. The point after counts, as well, and the Lions lead 35-28.

On Italy’s next possession, Lewis fills in for Walker who was injured on the kickoff return by Jackson. Lewis and Jackson receive multiple carries and push the ball down to Franklin’s 33-yard line. On 4th and 10, however, a no-call for pass interference after Holden tried to connect with Simmons across the middle allowed the Lions to take over on downs, 2:30 still to play in the third-quarter.

The Lions put together a drive and overcome a near interception by Walker to end the third with a 1st down at Italy’s 15-yard line.

On their third offensive play of the fourth-quarter, Franklin scores from 3-yards out. The point after kick counts and the Lions lead 42-28 with 10:42 left in the contest.

Italy’s offense tries to respond and relies on Walker to motor the Gladiators down the field. On 4th and 3 at Franklin’s 29, Walker gets the call and forces a measurement near the Lion 25. The ball is 1" short of the stick and Franklin takes over on downs with 6:55 to play. Moments later, Floyd explodes downfield for a 50-yard touchdown run to put the Lions in front 48-28 with 4:28 remaining. The point after kick failed.

Jackson returns the ensuing kickoff to Italy’s 39. Holden passes incomplete to Walker and then incomplete to Simmons. Italy fumbles the pitch on the next play and the Lions recover the ball at the Gladiator 32-yard line. Franklin adds one last touchdown and puts thru the point after kick to take the lead 55-28 which holds up until the final buzzer.

In a show of sportsmanship, the Gladiators shake hands with the Lions before lining up to receive parting words from the Gladiator coaching staff. “This is a the tough part but it helps the kids leave their emotions here on the field and hopefully feel better about things before heading to the locker room,” explained Coach Bales.

The Gladiator season ended earlier than hoped for but not before bringing a share of the district championship back to Italy and finish as 2A-2 Region III District II Bi-District Finalists. And for three-quarters hung in their with a Franklin squad that has entered the playoffs for the 5th consecutive time.

Congratulation to Coach Bales and his Gladiator coaching staff of Jeff Richters, Josh Ward, Randy Parks, Aidan Callahan and Larry Mayberry, Sr., along with the team, the cheerleaders and the Gladiator Regiment Marching Band for an unforgettable season.

Go Gladiators!

The 2011 Italy Gladiator roster: