The JV Gladiators set the tone for Saturday’s scrimmages against Valley Mills

Image: The Italy JV Gladiators make a statement on the first play when left tackle John Byers(56) brings down a Valley Mills Eagle for a loss.

The Italy JV Gladiators make a statement on the first play when left tackle John Byers(56) brings down a Valley Mills Eagle for a loss. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hard-hitting newcomer Hunter Merriman(84) is ready for action.

Hard-hitting newcomer Hunter Merriman(84) is ready for action. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ryan Connor(15) simulates picking off the ball during pre game warmups.

Italy’s Ryan Connor(15) simulates picking off the ball during pre game warmups. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Jaray Anderson(40) is ready attack on defense.

JV Gladiator Jaray Anderson(40) is ready attack on defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Right tackle Colin Newman(72) and teammate Cody Boyd(30) bring down an Eagle runner at the line of scrimmage.

Right tackle Colin Newman(72) and teammate Cody Boyd(30) bring down an Eagle runner at the line of scrimmage. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s John Byers(56) must like the sound of leather popping in the morning as he cages another Eagle back.

Italy’s John Byers(56) must like the sound of leather popping in the morning as he cages another Eagle back. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Boyd(30) captures an Eagle runner for a big loss to end bringing the first ten offensive plays segment of Valley Mills to a screeching halt.

Cody Boyd(30) captures an Eagle runner for a big loss to end bringing the first ten offensive plays segment of Valley Mills to a screeching halt. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s John Byers(56) and Hunter Merriman(84) chase after a fumble in the Eagle backfield.

Italy’s John Byers(56) and Hunter Merriman(84) chase after a fumble in the Eagle backfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV quarterback Ryan Connor(15) gets protection from his fullback and offensive line and completes a pass downfield to receiver Levi McBride.

JV quarterback Ryan Connor(15) gets protection from his fullback and offensive line and completes a pass downfield to receiver Levi McBride. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(85) hauls in the pass from his quarterback Ryan Connor and heads upfield for the first big play of the JV scrimmage against Valley Mills.

Levi McBride(85) hauls in the pass from his quarterback Ryan Connor and heads upfield for the first big play of the JV scrimmage against Valley Mills. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s JV noseguard Justin Robinson(65) and tackle John “Squirt” Hughes(62) knocks a few feathers off an Eagle running back.

Italy’s JV noseguard Justin Robinson(65) and tackle John “Squirt” Hughes(62) knocks a few feathers off an Eagle running back. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s linebacker Kyle “Catfish” Fortenberry(66) reels in an Eagle back for breakfast during Saturday morning’s scrimmage.

Italy’s linebacker Kyle “Catfish” Fortenberry(66) reels in an Eagle back for breakfast during Saturday morning’s scrimmage. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s JV noseguard Justin Robinson(65) studies the offensive formation of Valley Mills.

Italy’s JV noseguard Justin Robinson(65) studies the offensive formation of Valley Mills. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colin Newman(72) is a mighty brick in the JV Gladiator defensive wall.

Colin Newman(72) is a mighty brick in the JV Gladiator defensive wall. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s linebacker John Escamilla(54) shoots the gap to bring down the Eagle’s quarterback.

Italy’s linebacker John Escamilla(54) shoots the gap to bring down the Eagle’s quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Bailey Walton(52) stretches the play and makes the tackle in open field.

Italy’s Bailey Walton(52) stretches the play and makes the tackle in open field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Jaray Anderson(40) hits the Eagle quarterback in the backfield to force a fluttering incomplete pass.

Italy’s Jaray Anderson(40) hits the Eagle quarterback in the backfield to force a fluttering incomplete pass. (Barry Byers)

Image: Quarterback Ryan Connor(15) hands off to Tre Jackson(32), Italy’s version of Jerome “The Bus” Bettis.

Quarterback Ryan Connor(15) hands off to Tre Jackson(32), Italy’s version of Jerome “The Bus” Bettis. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s tailback Jaray Anderson(40) tries to escape the clutches of an Eagle defender.

Italy’s tailback Jaray Anderson(40) tries to escape the clutches of an Eagle defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV quarterback Ryan Connor(15) gets solid protection from his offensive line and delivers a pass downfield to Cody Boyd who races to the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown.

JV quarterback Ryan Connor(15) gets solid protection from his offensive line and delivers a pass downfield to Cody Boyd who races to the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tre “The Bus” Jackson(32) sees a matchup he likes after taking the handoff from quarterback Ryan Connor(15).

Tre “The Bus” Jackson(32) sees a matchup he likes after taking the handoff from quarterback Ryan Connor(15). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cody Boyd(30) hauls in a pass then tries to escape the Eagle defense for more yards.

Italy’s Cody Boyd(30) hauls in a pass then tries to escape the Eagle defense for more yards. (Barry Byers)

Image: The wheels on “The Bus” go round and round! Tre Jackson(32) keeps going and going for long run deep into Eagle territory.

The wheels on “The Bus” go round and round! Tre Jackson(32) keeps going and going for long run deep into Eagle territory. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coaches bring Italy’s JV squad together at midfield to congratulate them on a job well done.

Coaches bring Italy’s JV squad together at midfield to congratulate them on a job well done. (Barry Byers)

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