Axtell — The Italy Gladiator summer league football team put together three wins on Thursday in Axtell. With several regular players scattered all over during the sumer break, head coach Hank Hollywood called in reinforcements and more talented Gladiators stepped in to fill the gaps for some fun in the sun, Gladiator style!

“They called me explaining the team needed players so I’m just trying to help,” commented senior Hayden Wood who had two interceptions as a starting cornerback for the Gladiators in 2011.

Italy vs. Riesel:
Italy, confused slightly on defense, immediately gave up a score to Riesel, including the extra point, to trail 7-0. Italy’s offense responded, however, as quarterback Marvin Cox found Paul Harris in the far left corner of the end zone to make the score 7-6. Cox attempted to tie the game with a goal line pass to Jalarnce Jamal Lewis but Axtell’s ref/coach whistled Lewis’s catch short of the end zone.

Italy faired much better during their second defensive stand by keeping Riesel out of the end zone and taking over possession. Cox connected with John Escamilla for a long touchdown strike to propel the Gladiators into the lead. Escamilla’s fading catch out of the back of the end-zone sparked the squad who gave Escamilla props as the team broke for intermission under a shade tree while enjoying a 12-7 advantage.

Escamilla and Cox picked up where they left off after the brief break with Cox hitting Escamilla on a sideline route in which Escamilla altered his route to come back for the ball.

Ryheem Walker gives Team Italy a lift after a catch and run results in a first down. Cox then connects with Jalarnce Jamal Lewis at the back of the end zone but Cox was ruled across the line-of-scrimmage which voided the 6-points. Italy throws incomplete on fourth down and Riesel takes over, still 12-7 with Italy in front.

Two plays into Riesel’s first possession of the second half, Italy defenders forced back-to-back “to much time” infractions on Riesel who were unable to throw the ball to a receiver within 4 seconds. This is actually a rare defensive accomplishment in 7-on-7 competition but the Gladiators were up for the task to create the turnover.

Cox returns to quarterback for Italy with Woods snapping. Cox darts a slant pass into the bread basket of incoming freshman receiver Levi McBride to get the ball moving. Walker makes a reception and then fins running room down to the goal line. Escamilla eludes two defenders in the endzone to make the catch from Cox just beyond the right pylon for Escamilla’s second touchdown. Cox to Escamilla gives Italy an 18-7 cushion. A valiant dive by Escamilla landed short of the line for the point after attempt.

Riesel adds a touchdown and point after with under a minute remaining but it was too little too late with Italy holding on for an 18-13 win in round 1.

Italy vs. Wortham:
A skilled Wortham squad scored quickly against the Gladiators on their opening drive to take a 6-0 lead. The point after was incomplete. Cox drives Italy into scoring position where his pass to Reid Jacinto is secured on a leap in the back of the end zone for the game tying score, 6-6. Jacinto adds the point after, as well, to give Italy a 7-6 edge. Both sides make a stand on defense and the score holds into intermission.

Italy snaps the ball to start the second half. A pass from Cox to McBride sets up a touchdown pass from Cox to incoming freshman Ryan Connor which increases Italy’s advantage to 13-6. Receiver Paul Harris just misses a chance to add the extra point.

Italy’s defense holds with hustle plays by Jacinto and then Lewis but Wortham’s defense is just as stingy on Italy’s next possession. With time winding down, Worthham retakes control of the ball and puts together a game defining drive. Wortham scores to pull within 1-point of Italy, 13-12. Wortham goes for the win with a 2-point conversion try. In order to get 2-points, however, the ball is placed further away from the endzone than on a point after try.

With the Gladiators shielding receivers Wortham’s quarterback is force to hit an underneath crossing route inside the 5-yard line and not across the goal line. Lewis pounces on Wortham’s top receiving weapon for the defensive stop short of the goal line, preserving Italy’s second win of the day, 13-12 over Wortham.

Italy vs. Dawson:
Dawson holds strong against Italy’s superior firepower on the opening drive to force the Gladiators to turn the ball over on downs.

Woods thwarted Dawson’s first attempt at a touchdown with a high flying interception to give Italy back possession. Despite catches by Jacinto and Escamilla, Dawson keeps Italy from scoring on their second possession, as well.

Dawson tries to force the ball in for a score but Harris deflects the pass on a crossing pattern inside the five. Two plays later, Harris gets the pick and Italy restarts their offense at midfield. Cox then completes five passes in a row to Cody Boyd, Escamilla, Jacinto twice and then to Walker for the touchdown. Italy leads 7-0.

With seconds remaining before the break, Dawson heaves one for the endzone but the sure catch was most surely dropped leaving time for just one more snap. Dawson flings it for the zone again but Cox jumps to a higher level managing to deflect the pass. Italy’s 7-0 lead remains in tact at intermission.

Dawson opens the second half on offense but Italy’s defense keeps the Bulldogs on a tight leash to force a turnover on downs and take control of the ball…and ultimately the campaign.

Cox, refreshed, fires a bomb deep to Connor who never breaks stride to run under the ball for a touchdown catch, Connor’s second T.D. of the day. Cox squeezes a pass into Escamilla who was camped out along the goal line for the extra point, 14-0 Italy leads.

Italy holds the Bulldogs out of the end zone, yet again, but Dawson’s defense stumps Italy on the Gladiators’ next possession. Dawson regains control of the ball and, moments later, lofts one toward the endzone. Boyd drops back in coverage and jumps in front of a Dawson receiver to deny the Bulldogs any points.

Cox follows up Boyd’s effort with an Italy interception but is unable to return it all the way back untouched. Cox then takes a snap from Woods and sends an arching pass to Walker who stretches the Bulldog defenders for a wide-open over the shoulder catch for a touchdown. Italy takes a commanding 20-0 lead.
Jacinto tries to add one more point but Italy will have to settle for a 20-0 victory — Yay!

The Gladiators will return to Axtell on Thursday, June 28, with the action snapping off @ 6:00 p.m.

Go Italy