Scurry-Rosser — Fans got their first look at Italy’s 7-on-7 Gladiator squad in action against a non-district opponent, the Scurry-Rosser Wildcats, on Thursday. After going thru their daily workouts on Willis Field before leaving for the game, the Gladiators showed tremendous effort in two 10 minute segments and a 20 minute overtime period on their way to an overall trouncing of the Wildcats.

With quarterback, Marvin Cox, running the offense while retrieving snaps from center, Zain Byers, Italy sprinted past the Wildcats — time and time again — to haul in three touchdown passes and three 1-point conversions to win the first segment 21-0.

With receivers Trevon Robertson, Eric Carson, Jamal Lewis, Shad Newman, Chase Hamilton, Ryheem Walker and Cody Boyd making the catches, both short and deep, Cox orchestrated another impressive dismantling of the Wildcats’ defense in the second segment.

Just as impressive, was Italy’s pass coverage on the afternoon. Cox, Robertson and Justin Wood combined for multiple interceptions to shut the Wildcat offense down in the first two battles. Carson and Robertson broke up the deep passes while Hamilton, Walker, Newman and Lewis disrupted the short routes to help the Gladiators win again, 20-0.

Italy’s players are obviously benefitting from the offseason workout program under newly installed athletic director and head football coach, Hank Hollywood. The Wildcats seemed more like breathless Mildcats struggling to keep pace with the enthusiastic Gladiators who hoofed it from the huddle, over to the water cooler and then back to the field. At one point, during a timeout, a member of the Wildcat coaching staff yelled over to Italy’s players, “You guys are doing everything right, you’re doing a great job!”

Hamilton pulled in a bomb pass from Cox to start the overtime period and then Cox found Carson crossing the middle of the endzone for an Italy touchdown. Cox to Carson added the conversion to give the Gladiators a 7-0 advantage. However, the fast-paced, high intensity action, caught up with Italy and the guys in gold showed their first signs of fatigue with muscle cramps. The Wildcats took advantage of the lull and quickly scored their first points of the day, tying the contest 7-7.

Both defenses made enough plays to keep the other side from crossing the goal line during the remaining time and the overtime period ended in a tie. Overall, Italy’s Varsity squad outscored Scurry-Rosser 48-7.

JV/8th Grade 7-on-7 Gladiators:
Italy’s JV team put together a squad consisting on sophomores, freshmen and 8th graders just two days prior to the matchup with Scurry’s JV.

Despite a short time to prepare, Italy hung in during their first segment but ultimately lost to the younger Wildcats, 12-6. For the second game, Carson stepped in at quarterback to take snaps from Colin Newman, to lead Italy’s JV to a 12-0 win. In game three, despite a 50-yard interception returned for a touchdown by freshman, John Escamilla, Italy’s JV group fell short of the win, 25-12.

Coach Hollywood, however, was encouraged by the results feeling Italy’s lack of practice time was the only factor separating the two JV teams.

Tenative 2012 Italy Gladiator Football Schedule:

Dale Hansen Football Classic*

Homecoming**

Senior Night***

—2012-2014 UIL Football District 6 1A Division 1—

• Italy
• Itasca
• Cross Roads
• Cayuga
• Dallas Gateway
• Kerens