Additional photos from the Italy vs Franklin playoff game

Image: Andy Saxon and Lee Hamilton have the ceremonial flags ready for the players.

Andy Saxon and Lee Hamilton have the ceremonial flags ready for the players. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Medrano(32), Omar Estrada(56), Jalarnce Lewis(11) and Shad Newman(25) get set for the game.

Cody Medrano(32), Omar Estrada(56), Jalarnce Lewis(11) and Shad Newman(25) get set for the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s offense practices plays before the playoff game against Franklin.

Italy’s offense practices plays before the playoff game against Franklin. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator lineman Adrian Reed(64) is gunning for the Lions.

Gladiator lineman Adrian Reed(64) is gunning for the Lions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Paul Harris(7) runs his receiver route during pre-game warmups.

Gladiator Paul Harris(7) runs his receiver route during pre-game warmups. (Barry Byers)

Image: Offensively, Adrian Reed(64), Kyle Jackson(28), Ethan Saxon(44) and Zain Byers(50) try to push the ball forward for the Gladiators.

Offensively, Adrian Reed(64), Kyle Jackson(28), Ethan Saxon(44) and Zain Byers(50) try to push the ball forward for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Regiment Band drum major Drenda Burk leads her talented troops.

Gladiator Regiment Band drum major Drenda Burk leads her talented troops. (Barry Byers)

Image: The GRB makes some noise in Buffalo!

The GRB makes some noise in Buffalo! (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Bales sends in the next play with Eric Carson(24) and Jase Holden(3).

Coach Bales sends in the next play with Eric Carson(24) and Jase Holden(3). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s senior left tackle Omar Estrada(56) tries to drive a Franklin defender away from the ball.

Italy’s senior left tackle Omar Estrada(56) tries to drive a Franklin defender away from the ball. (Barry Byers)

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(Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(50), Ethan Saxon(44), Omar Estrada(56) and Adrian Reed(64) take Lion defenders to the ground.

Zain Byers(50), Ethan Saxon(44), Omar Estrada(56) and Adrian Reed(64) take Lion defenders to the ground. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chase Hamilton(2) is ready for the Franklin kickoff.

Chase Hamilton(2) is ready for the Franklin kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sportsmanship. Senior Gladiator lineman Isaac Medrano(70) takes a knee during a Franklin injury timeout.

Sportsmanship. Senior Gladiator lineman Isaac Medrano(70) takes a knee during a Franklin injury timeout. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Ethan Saxon(44) hopes his team can pull out a playoff win.

Gladiator Ethan Saxon(44) hopes his team can pull out a playoff win. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryheem Walker(10) collapses to one knee as the realization that the season has ended overtakes him.

Ryheem Walker(10) collapses to one knee as the realization that the season has ended overtakes him. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Jase Holden(3) and Tony Wooldridge(6) shake hands with Franklin and then walk away from Buffalo with their heads held high.

Gladiators Jase Holden(3) and Tony Wooldridge(6) shake hands with Franklin and then walk away from Buffalo with their heads held high. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator receiver/safety Devonta Simmons(9) takes a moment as the finality of it all sinks in.

Senior Gladiator receiver/safety Devonta Simmons(9) takes a moment as the finality of it all sinks in. (Barry Byers)

Image: The players lineup after the game and receive congratulatory embraces from the Gladiator coaching staff. Jeff Richters talks with Chase Hamilton(2) while Coach Bales consoles Eric Carson(24).

The players lineup after the game and receive congratulatory embraces from the Gladiator coaching staff. Jeff Richters talks with Chase Hamilton(2) while Coach Bales consoles Eric Carson(24). (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Bales takes a moment with his senior linebacker/fullback Kyle Jackson(28).

Coach Bales takes a moment with his senior linebacker/fullback Kyle Jackson(28). (Barry Byers)

Image: Mentor and rookie. Senior lineman Omar Estrada(56) began his career as a sophomore for the Gladiators and served as mentor this season to sophomore Zain Byers(50) who was thrust into action before Italy’s pre-season game against Mart. “Thank you, Omar.”

Mentor and rookie. Senior lineman Omar Estrada(56) began his career as a sophomore for the Gladiators and served as mentor this season to sophomore Zain Byers(50) who was thrust into action before Italy’s pre-season game against Mart. “Thank you, Omar.” (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Ethan Saxon(44) is greeted by his family as he exits the grid-iron for the final time.

Senior Ethan Saxon(44) is greeted by his family as he exits the grid-iron for the final time. (Barry Byers)

Image: Proud Papa. Gladiator assistant coach, Larry Mayberry, Sr. stands with his son, Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) after the playoff game against Franklin.

Proud Papa. Gladiator assistant coach, Larry Mayberry, Sr. stands with his son, Larry Mayberry, Jr.(77) after the playoff game against Franklin. (Barry Byers)

Image: Seniors manage a smile. Larry and Jase have tons to smile about despite their team’s loss to Franklin. After all, a co-district championship and finishing as a bi-district finalist is something to smile about.

Seniors manage a smile. Larry and Jase have tons to smile about despite their team’s loss to Franklin. After all, a co-district championship and finishing as a bi-district finalist is something to smile about. (Barry Byers)

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