Gladiators meet the challenge from Waco Reicher during final scrimmage

Image: Italy Gladiator seniors Paul Harrsi(21) and Marvin Cox(6) charge the field to take on the Waco Reicher Cougars.

Italy Gladiator seniors Paul Harrsi(21) and Marvin Cox(6) charge the field to take on the Waco Reicher Cougars. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Caden Jacinto(5) is another weapon in Italy’s receiving corp.

Senior Caden Jacinto(5) is another weapon in Italy’s receiving corp. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eric Carson(7), a junior, handled the quarterbacking duties for Italy against an aggressive Cougar defense.

Eric Carson(7), a junior, handled the quarterbacking duties for Italy against an aggressive Cougar defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eric Carson(7) rolls out behind his blockers.

Eric Carson(7) rolls out behind his blockers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Room to run: Italy’s Eric Carson(7) sees a runway and hits the afterburners thru Waco’s defense.

Room to run: Italy’s Eric Carson(7) sees a runway and hits the afterburners thru Waco’s defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Eric Carson(7) pitches out to Ryheem Walker(22).

Italy’s Eric Carson(7) pitches out to Ryheem Walker(22). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s offensive linemen Kevin Roldan(75) and Zain Byers(55) maintain their blocks.

Italy’s offensive linemen Kevin Roldan(75) and Zain Byers(55) maintain their blocks. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eric Carson(7) drops back behind Ryheem Walker(22), Kevin Roldan(75) and Zain Byers(55).

Eric Carson(7) drops back behind Ryheem Walker(22), Kevin Roldan(75) and Zain Byers(55). (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Trevon Robertson(3) makes a sideline catch to give Italy some early confidence.

Gladiator Trevon Robertson(3) makes a sideline catch to give Italy some early confidence. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eric Carson(7) stays in the pocket while Ryheem Walker(22), Cody Medrano(58), Darol Mayberry(56), Zackery Boykin(55), Kevin Roldan(60) and Zain Byers(55) protect.

Eric Carson(7) stays in the pocket while Ryheem Walker(22), Cody Medrano(58), Darol Mayberry(56), Zackery Boykin(55), Kevin Roldan(60) and Zain Byers(55) protect. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy defenders Ryheem Walker(22), Reid Jacinto(2) and Trevon Robertson(3) close in on a Cougar.

Italy defenders Ryheem Walker(22), Reid Jacinto(2) and Trevon Robertson(3) close in on a Cougar. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s defensive tackle Zain Byers(55) beats the block to reach the quarterback and forces a short gain on the play thanks to tight coverage by Trevon Robertson(3), Marvin Cox(6) and Chase Hamilton(9).

Italy’s defensive tackle Zain Byers(55) beats the block to reach the quarterback and forces a short gain on the play thanks to tight coverage by Trevon Robertson(3), Marvin Cox(6) and Chase Hamilton(9). (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator linebacker Ryheem Walker(22) drags down a Cougar running back.

Gladiator linebacker Ryheem Walker(22) drags down a Cougar running back. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(6) takes a few reps at quarterback and busts a couple of long runs for Italy.

Marvin Cox(6) takes a few reps at quarterback and busts a couple of long runs for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Offensive tackle Zain Byers(55) hooks the Cougar end to make way for Caden Jacinto(5) who gains positive yards.

Offensive tackle Zain Byers(55) hooks the Cougar end to make way for Caden Jacinto(5) who gains positive yards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Caden Jacinto(5) hauls in a touchdown pass for Italy that would have tied the scrimmage 1-1 but the play is negated by a penalty.

Caden Jacinto(5) hauls in a touchdown pass for Italy that would have tied the scrimmage 1-1 but the play is negated by a penalty. (Barry Byers)

Image: Quarterback Marvin Cox(6) tucks and runs thru the Cougar defense.

Quarterback Marvin Cox(6) tucks and runs thru the Cougar defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Trevon Robertson(3) prepares to run faster than a Cougar.

Italy’s Trevon Robertson(3) prepares to run faster than a Cougar. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shad Newman gets congratulated after bowling over a Cougar defender for a touchdown after snagging a nifty pass from teammate Marvin Cox.

Shad Newman gets congratulated after bowling over a Cougar defender for a touchdown after snagging a nifty pass from teammate Marvin Cox. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s defensive tackle Zackery Boykin(50) sacks the Cougar quarterback and forces a fumble that could have been scooped by Chase Hamilton(9) and taken into the end zone if the play had not been blown dead as a precaution.

Italy’s defensive tackle Zackery Boykin(50) sacks the Cougar quarterback and forces a fumble that could have been scooped by Chase Hamilton(9) and taken into the end zone if the play had not been blown dead as a precaution. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s defense swarms to ball carrier.

Italy’s defense swarms to ball carrier. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ryheem Walker(22) rumbles forward for more yards.

Italy’s Ryheem Walker(22) rumbles forward for more yards. (Barry Byers)

Image: During the game simulated 12-minute quarter, outside linebacker Jalarnce Lewis(21) strips the ball away from the Cougars and sprints some 50-yards for a Gladiator touchdown.

During the game simulated 12-minute quarter, outside linebacker Jalarnce Lewis(21) strips the ball away from the Cougars and sprints some 50-yards for a Gladiator touchdown. (Barry Byers)

Image: Head Coach Hank Hollywood brings his Gladiator guys together after the scrimmage against Waco before heading back to Italy to prepare for their season opener against Maypearl.

Head Coach Hank Hollywood brings his Gladiator guys together after the scrimmage against Waco before heading back to Italy to prepare for their season opener against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

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