Italy Athletics strives for excellence during spring practices

Image: Italy High School’s new athletic director and head football coach, Hank Hollywood, takes his players through the plays during spring practices.

Italy High School’s new athletic director and head football coach, Hank Hollywood, takes his players through the plays during spring practices. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryheem Walker(10) and Eric Carson(6) take reps at the quarterback position.

Ryheem Walker(10) and Eric Carson(6) take reps at the quarterback position. (Barry Byers)

Image: Trevon Robertson(20) pulls in a pass and then tucks it and runs.

Trevon Robertson(20) pulls in a pass and then tucks it and runs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jalarnace Jamal Lewis makes an acrobatic catch during workouts.

Jalarnace Jamal Lewis makes an acrobatic catch during workouts. (Barry Byers)

Image: New offensive line coach, Brandon Duncan, takes Italy’s protectors thru their paces.

New offensive line coach, Brandon Duncan, takes Italy’s protectors thru their paces. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior lineman, Zackery Boykin(55), plans to lead the Gladiators to state next season.

Senior lineman, Zackery Boykin(55), plans to lead the Gladiators to state next season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Skill backs start the chariot races.

Skill backs start the chariot races. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s athletic program could turn a corner in 2012-2013.

Italy’s athletic program could turn a corner in 2012-2013. (Barry Byers)

Image: This is like chariots of fire as Cody Medrano(32), Hayden Wood(39) and Cole Hopkins(56) try to turn the tide in Italy’s favor.

This is like chariots of fire as Cody Medrano(32), Hayden Wood(39) and Cole Hopkins(56) try to turn the tide in Italy’s favor.

Image: And their off! Can anybody catch, Cody Boyd?

And their off! Can anybody catch, Cody Boyd? (Barry Byers)

Image: Liking the effort by the Gladiators!

Liking the effort by the Gladiators! (Barry Byers)

Image: Bernice Hailey and Jameka Copeland help set the pace for the Lady Gladiators.

Bernice Hailey and Jameka Copeland help set the pace for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Paola Mata, Ashley Harper and Laura Luna make a push for Lady Gladiator glory.

Paola Mata, Ashley Harper and Laura Luna make a push for Lady Gladiator glory. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(50) and Zackery Boykin(55) work on snaps.

Zain Byers(50) and Zackery Boykin(55) work on snaps. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zackery Boykin(55) makes a spectacular grab in the endzone! Assistant coach, Josh Ward, was amazed with the effort!!

Zackery Boykin(55) makes a spectacular grab in the endzone! Assistant coach, Josh Ward, was amazed with the effort!! (Barry Byers)

Image: Chase Hamilton(2) settles in the zone and makes the catch.

Chase Hamilton(2) settles in the zone and makes the catch. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Hughes takes a few turns at center.

John Hughes takes a few turns at center. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hokins and Marvin Cox glance at the play sheet.

Cole Hokins and Marvin Cox glance at the play sheet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colin Newman looks good at center, as well.

Colin Newman looks good at center, as well. (Barry Byers)

Image: Directing the receiving corp and making the play call is Marvin Cox. Even Gladiator Regiment Marching Band director, Jesus Perez, would be impressed with this production.

Directing the receiving corp and making the play call is Marvin Cox. Even Gladiator Regiment Marching Band director, Jesus Perez, would be impressed with this production. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Escamilla is being heralded as the next Marvin Cox. Heralded by Cox, of course.

John Escamilla is being heralded as the next Marvin Cox. Heralded by Cox, of course. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eric Carson has a look of determination.

Eric Carson has a look of determination. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jalarnce Jamal lewis represents the muscle, speed, power and pain that Italy’s backfield will be bringing to their 1A competition.

Jalarnce Jamal lewis represents the muscle, speed, power and pain that Italy’s backfield will be bringing to their 1A competition. (Barry Byers)

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