Gladiators kickoff season with a 41-14 shellacking over Maypearl

Image: Gladiator offensive coordinator Nate Skelton talks with his players before the game.

Gladiator offensive coordinator Nate Skelton talks with his players before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Color Guard members are ready to help Italy get their first win of the season.

Italy’s Color Guard members are ready to help Italy get their first win of the season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sarah Levi gets ready to help with Italy’s musical score.

Sarah Levi gets ready to help with Italy’s musical score. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ana Luna, a sophomore member of the Gladiator Regiment Marching Band, plays loud and proud for the Italy Gladiators!

Ana Luna, a sophomore member of the Gladiator Regiment Marching Band, plays loud and proud for the Italy Gladiators! (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Regiment Marching Band member Timothy Fleming is playing the tuba!

Senior Gladiator Regiment Marching Band member Timothy Fleming is playing the tuba! (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator quarterback Eric Carson(12), a junior, had a golden arm against the Panthers.

Gladiator quarterback Eric Carson(12), a junior, had a golden arm against the Panthers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Eric Carson(12), Shad Newman(25), John Hughes(62), Cody Medrano(75) and Darol Mayberry(58) practice plays during warmups. The Panthers’ stayed in Italy’s rearview mirror all game long.

Italy’s Eric Carson(12), Shad Newman(25), John Hughes(62), Cody Medrano(75) and Darol Mayberry(58) practice plays during warmups. The Panthers’ stayed in Italy’s rearview mirror all game long. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore Gladiator Cody Boyd(15) pulls in a pass before making his varsity debut.

Sophomore Gladiator Cody Boyd(15) pulls in a pass before making his varsity debut. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator Cheerleader Britney Chambers was able to keep smiling throughout the contest.

Lady Gladiator Cheerleader Britney Chambers was able to keep smiling throughout the contest. (Barry Byers)

Image: Adrian Reed(64), Zackery Boykin(55) and Cole Hopkins(9) get ready to go against Maypearl.

Adrian Reed(64), Zackery Boykin(55) and Cole Hopkins(9) get ready to go against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kevin Roldan(60) kicks off as teammate Kelvin Joffre(80) heads upfield.

Italy’s Kevin Roldan(60) kicks off as teammate Kelvin Joffre(80) heads upfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Defensive tackle Zain Byers(50) brings down Maypearl’s top weapon Tristan Spradling(24). The fathers of both players, Barry Byers and Steven Spradling, were teammates for Italy in the late 80s.

Defensive tackle Zain Byers(50) brings down Maypearl’s top weapon Tristan Spradling(24). The fathers of both players, Barry Byers and Steven Spradling, were teammates for Italy in the late 80s. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Zain Byers, a junior, goes after Maypearl’s quarterback Nick Gonzalez(11) and forces an incomplete pass out-of-bounds.

Italy’s Zain Byers, a junior, goes after Maypearl’s quarterback Nick Gonzalez(11) and forces an incomplete pass out-of-bounds. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cole Hopkins(9) and Ryheem Walker(10) bring down Maypearl’s Tristan Spradling(24).

Italy’s Cole Hopkins(9) and Ryheem Walker(10) bring down Maypearl’s Tristan Spradling(24). (Barry Byers)

Image: Playmaker, Chase Hamilton(2), gets the scoring started for Italy with a 54-yard touchdown catch and run.

Playmaker, Chase Hamilton(2), gets the scoring started for Italy with a 54-yard touchdown catch and run. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator receiver Reid Jacinto(11), a senior, awaits the snap.

Gladiator receiver Reid Jacinto(11), a senior, awaits the snap. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cody Medrano(75), Ryheem Walker(10), Cole Hopkins(9), Paul Harris(7) and Reid Jacinto(11) get ready on defense.

Italy’s Cody Medrano(75), Ryheem Walker(10), Cole Hopkins(9), Paul Harris(7) and Reid Jacinto(11) get ready on defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cody Boyd(15) is ready to cover a Panther.

Italy’s Cody Boyd(15) is ready to cover a Panther. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator defender Ryheem Walker(10) hangs on to a Maypearl runner before Kevin Roldan(60) cleans up with a big hit.

Gladiator defender Ryheem Walker(10) hangs on to a Maypearl runner before Kevin Roldan(60) cleans up with a big hit. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s nose guard Hank Seabolt(76) makes the tackle. During the game, Seabolt had multiple tackles, recovered a fumble and separated a Panther runner from his bonnet.

Italy’s nose guard Hank Seabolt(76) makes the tackle. During the game, Seabolt had multiple tackles, recovered a fumble and separated a Panther runner from his bonnet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy senior Zackery Boykin(55) and his fellow offensive lineman took care of business against Maypearl.

Italy senior Zackery Boykin(55) and his fellow offensive lineman took care of business against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Cheerleaders K’Breona Davis, Ashlyn Jacinto, Britney Chambers and Bailey DeBorde signal for the fourth quarter.

Italy Cheerleaders K’Breona Davis, Ashlyn Jacinto, Britney Chambers and Bailey DeBorde signal for the fourth quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Eric Carson(12), Justin Wood(44) and Lady Gladiator cheerleader Kelsey Nelson lock pinkies during the school song. That’s IHS Principal Lee Joffrey in the background joining the celebration.

Italy’s Eric Carson(12), Justin Wood(44) and Lady Gladiator cheerleader Kelsey Nelson lock pinkies during the school song. That’s IHS Principal Lee Joffrey in the background joining the celebration. (Barry Byers)

Image: “Old gold and white, we love you so!” Italy wins 41-14 over Maypearl.

“Old gold and white, we love you so!” Italy wins 41-14 over Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Return to story