Italy’s Junior High and JV Gladiators take on Hico at home

Image: 7th grade Gladiator Kendrick Norwood(20) runs hard against Hico.

7th grade Gladiator Kendrick Norwood(20) runs hard against Hico. (Barry Byers)

Image: Your Italy Junior High cheerleaders! (Back row L-R) Brooke Deborde, Annie Perry and Paige Little. (Front row L-R) Meagan Connor, Sierra Wilson and Caroline Pittman.

Your Italy Junior High cheerleaders! (Back row L-R) Brooke Deborde, Annie Perry and Paige Little. (Front row L-R) Meagan Connor, Sierra Wilson and Caroline Pittman. (Barry Byers)

Image: Let’s play some football!

Let’s play some football! (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kendrick Norwood(20) fights for yards against the Tigers.

Italy’s Kendrick Norwood(20) fights for yards against the Tigers. (Barry Byers)

Image: 7th grade Gladiator Ty Hamilton(17) tries to recover a Tiger fumble.

7th grade Gladiator Ty Hamilton(17) tries to recover a Tiger fumble. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s 7th grade defense gets pressure on Hico’s quarterback.

Italy’s 7th grade defense gets pressure on Hico’s quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: 7th grade quarterback Tylan Wallace(10) avoids a Tiger in pursuit.

7th grade quarterback Tylan Wallace(10) avoids a Tiger in pursuit. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Tylan Wallace(10) gets the edge and turns upfield for bonus yards.

Italy’s Tylan Wallace(10) gets the edge and turns upfield for bonus yards. (Barry Byers)

Image: On defense, Italy’s Dylan McCasland(32) scraps with a Tiger receiver over the ball.

On defense, Italy’s Dylan McCasland(32) scraps with a Tiger receiver over the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Junior High cheerleaders, Paige Little, Sierra Wilson and Annie Perry cheer it loud and proud along with their cheer mates.

Italy Junior High cheerleaders, Paige Little, Sierra Wilson and Annie Perry cheer it loud and proud along with their cheer mates. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Nate Skelton talks shop with Gabriel Guzman(62).

Coach Nate Skelton talks shop with Gabriel Guzman(62). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Clay Riddle(60) tries to catch a Tiger runner by his tail.

Italy’s Clay Riddle(60) tries to catch a Tiger runner by his tail. (Barry Byers)

Image: 8th grade quarterback Devonteh Williams(9) hands off to teammate Joe Celis(24).

8th grade quarterback Devonteh Williams(9) hands off to teammate Joe Celis(24). (Barry Byers)

Image: Devonteh Williams(9) tackles a Tiger for a loss in the backfield.

Devonteh Williams(9) tackles a Tiger for a loss in the backfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: 8th grade Gladiator Michael Wilson(85) makes a catch at the goal line for an Italy touchdown.

8th grade Gladiator Michael Wilson(85) makes a catch at the goal line for an Italy touchdown. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Italy Junior High cheerleaders elevate their game!

The Italy Junior High cheerleaders elevate their game! (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Tristann Cotten(78) is ready to knock some stripes off the Tigers from Hico.

Italy’s Tristann Cotten(78) is ready to knock some stripes off the Tigers from Hico. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Jarvis Harris(89) rumbles forward for extra yardage thru the Hico defense.

Italy’s Jarvis Harris(89) rumbles forward for extra yardage thru the Hico defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ready to get their sack swag on is John Escamilla(63), Tyvion Copeland(85) and Billy Moore(32).

Ready to get their sack swag on is John Escamilla(63), Tyvion Copeland(85) and Billy Moore(32). (Barry Byers)

Image: Hunter Merrimon(2) saw his first action in the backfield this season and then Hico saw him from behind as he ran for 2-touchdowns in four just carries. Brandon Connor(2) got his first start at center for Italy’s JV team and helped lead his teammates to their third win of the season.

Hunter Merrimon(2) saw his first action in the backfield this season and then Hico saw him from behind as he ran for 2-touchdowns in four just carries. Brandon Connor(2) got his first start at center for Italy’s JV team and helped lead his teammates to their third win of the season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s JV Captains are Ryan Connor(13), Justin Robbins(64) and Billy Moore(32).

Italy’s JV Captains are Ryan Connor(13), Justin Robbins(64) and Billy Moore(32). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ty Windham(12) blocks out the Hico cornerback to make room for fellow receiver Levi McBride(9) to run after the catch.

Italy’s Ty Windham(12) blocks out the Hico cornerback to make room for fellow receiver Levi McBride(9) to run after the catch. (Barry Byers)

Image: Defensive tackle Colin Newman(71) recovers a fumble for his mom who was in the stands to watch him play.

Defensive tackle Colin Newman(71) recovers a fumble for his mom who was in the stands to watch him play. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Hughes(73) and Billy Moore(32) practically dare Hico’s defense to cross the scrimmage line while protecting quarterback Ryan Connor(13).

John Hughes(73) and Billy Moore(32) practically dare Hico’s defense to cross the scrimmage line while protecting quarterback Ryan Connor(13). (Barry Byers)

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