Italy’s JV Gladiators impress fans during hard-hitting scrimmage against Cougars

Image: JV Gladiator defender Hunter Merimon(84) lowers the boom on Waco’s quarterback during another successfully hard-hitting scrimmage for Italy.

JV Gladiator defender Hunter Merimon(84) lowers the boom on Waco’s quarterback during another successfully hard-hitting scrimmage for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Larry’s Angels are Bailey Eubank, Jaclynn Lewis and Alyssa Richards who help with the stats, water, training duties and providing dry footballs to the players and referees.

Larry’s Angels are Bailey Eubank, Jaclynn Lewis and Alyssa Richards who help with the stats, water, training duties and providing dry footballs to the players and referees. (Barry Byers)

Image: Quarterback Ryan Connor(15) spots a receiver.

Quarterback Ryan Connor(15) spots a receiver. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(85) catches a pass during warmups.

Levi McBride(85) catches a pass during warmups. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clayton Miller pulls in a pass from his quarterback Ryan Connor during warmups.

Clayton Miller pulls in a pass from his quarterback Ryan Connor during warmups. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Forteberry(66), Justin Robinson(65) and John Byers(56) open a running lane for the Billy “The Bus” Moore(32).

Kyle Forteberry(66), Justin Robinson(65) and John Byers(56) open a running lane for the Billy “The Bus” Moore(32). (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaray Anderson(40) stiff arms his way downfield for more yardage.

Jaray Anderson(40) stiff arms his way downfield for more yardage. (Barry Byers)

Image: Billy Moore(32) takes the handoff from Ryan Connor(15) and plows ahead for the tough yards.

Billy Moore(32) takes the handoff from Ryan Connor(15) and plows ahead for the tough yards. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Colin Newman(72) protects his quarterback Ryan Connor(15) while he spots a receiver downfield.

JV Gladiator Colin Newman(72) protects his quarterback Ryan Connor(15) while he spots a receiver downfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Billy “The Bus” Moore(32) rolls over a few Cougar bowling pins.

Billy “The Bus” Moore(32) rolls over a few Cougar bowling pins. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Billy Moore(32) continues to power forward behind his hard working offensive line.

Italy’s Billy Moore(32) continues to power forward behind his hard working offensive line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Offensive guard Justin Robinson(65) proves to the 3A Cougars that 1A Italy is no push over.

Offensive guard Justin Robinson(65) proves to the 3A Cougars that 1A Italy is no push over. (Barry Byers)

Image: The elusive Ty Windham(36) clutches a pass thrown by teammate Ryan Connor.

The elusive Ty Windham(36) clutches a pass thrown by teammate Ryan Connor. (Barry Byers)

Image: There are times when I wish a still photo came with sound. This picture really doesn’t do justice to the loud pop that Kyle Forternberry(66) and Justin Robinson(65) put on this Cougar running back.

There are times when I wish a still photo came with sound. This picture really doesn’t do justice to the loud pop that Kyle Forternberry(66) and Justin Robinson(65) put on this Cougar running back. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(56) closing in on a Cougar back that seems to be screaming, "Blow the whistle! Blow the Whistle!

John Byers(56) closing in on a Cougar back that seems to be screaming, "Blow the whistle! Blow the Whistle! (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cody Boyd scuffs up that powder blue helmet.

Italy’s Cody Boyd scuffs up that powder blue helmet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Linebacker Kyle Fortenberry(66) fills the hole with authority to stop a Cougar in his tracks!

Linebacker Kyle Fortenberry(66) fills the hole with authority to stop a Cougar in his tracks! (Barry Byers)

Image: Right defensive tackle John Byers(56) leaps and batts down a Cougar pass attempt to turn the ball back over to the JV Gladiators.

Right defensive tackle John Byers(56) leaps and batts down a Cougar pass attempt to turn the ball back over to the JV Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Jack Hernandez(34) pulls off a big time catch early in the scrimmage for a first down.

Italy’s Jack Hernandez(34) pulls off a big time catch early in the scrimmage for a first down. (Barry Byers)

Image: Another hard tackle applied by linebacker John Escamilla(54) keeps the Cougars from reaching the endzone.

Another hard tackle applied by linebacker John Escamilla(54) keeps the Cougars from reaching the endzone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaray Anderson(40) hangs on to bring down a Cougar.

Jaray Anderson(40) hangs on to bring down a Cougar. (Barry Byers)

Image: “It’s not a plane, it’s Super Squirt!” Italy’s John “Squirt” Hughes(62) flies in to pressure the Cougar quarterback.

“It’s not a plane, it’s Super Squirt!” Italy’s John “Squirt” Hughes(62) flies in to pressure the Cougar quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Jack Hernandez(34), John Hughes(62) and Hunter Merimon(84) crunch a Cougar for a short gain.

Italy’s Jack Hernandez(34), John Hughes(62) and Hunter Merimon(84) crunch a Cougar for a short gain. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cornerback Cody Boyd(30) loudly scuffs up the powder blue helmet on this unsuspecting Cougar running back for one of the game’s biggest hits.

Cornerback Cody Boyd(30) loudly scuffs up the powder blue helmet on this unsuspecting Cougar running back for one of the game’s biggest hits. (Barry Byers)

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