Gladiators open district with a shutout win, 51-0 over Itasca

Image: Starting tailback and backup quarterback Ryheem Walker passes to Shad Newman during warmups as starting quarterback Marvin Cox warms up his throwing arm as well.

Starting tailback and backup quarterback Ryheem Walker passes to Shad Newman during warmups as starting quarterback Marvin Cox warms up his throwing arm as well. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator mascot Reagan Adams and her little sister, Mia.

Gladiator mascot Reagan Adams and her little sister, Mia. (Barry Byers)

Image: Head coach Hank Hollywood spins the wheels as Zackery Boykin(55), Chase Hamilton(2), Reid Jacinto(11), Ryheem Walker(10) and Cole Hopkins(9) lead their teammates thru pre-game warmups.

Head coach Hank Hollywood spins the wheels as Zackery Boykin(55), Chase Hamilton(2), Reid Jacinto(11), Ryheem Walker(10) and Cole Hopkins(9) lead their teammates thru pre-game warmups. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eric Carson(12) and teammate Trevon Robertson(4) work on tackling drills before tackling the Wampus Cats.

Eric Carson(12) and teammate Trevon Robertson(4) work on tackling drills before tackling the Wampus Cats. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Brain Coffman breaks down Shad Newman(25), Zain Byers(50), Marvin Cox(3), Kyle Fortenberry(66) and Ryheem Walker(10).

Coach Brain Coffman breaks down Shad Newman(25), Zain Byers(50), Marvin Cox(3), Kyle Fortenberry(66) and Ryheem Walker(10). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s defense gets their first shutout of the season against Itasca as Darol Mayberry(58), Jamal Lewis(21), Zain Byers(50), Cole Hopkins(9) and Kyle Fortenberry(66) settle before the snap.

Italy’s defense gets their first shutout of the season against Itasca as Darol Mayberry(58), Jamal Lewis(21), Zain Byers(50), Cole Hopkins(9) and Kyle Fortenberry(66) settle before the snap. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(3) flourished during his second start at quarterback for the Gladiators scoring 4 offensive touchdowns, a two-point conversion and returned a defensive strip for a touchdown, totaling 32 of Italy’s 51-points. Cox also completed 7-of-14 passes for 85-yards and ran 16 times for 144-yards.

Marvin Cox(3) flourished during his second start at quarterback for the Gladiators scoring 4 offensive touchdowns, a two-point conversion and returned a defensive strip for a touchdown, totaling 32 of Italy’s 51-points. Cox also completed 7-of-14 passes for 85-yards and ran 16 times for 144-yards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Medrano(75), Darol Mayberry(58) and center Kyle Fortenberry(66) help Italy’s offense rack up 485 yards of total offense and 7 touchdowns.

Cody Medrano(75), Darol Mayberry(58) and center Kyle Fortenberry(66) help Italy’s offense rack up 485 yards of total offense and 7 touchdowns. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Colin Newman(71) is glad to see his varsity teammates come thru the gates with all guns firing.

JV Gladiator Colin Newman(71) is glad to see his varsity teammates come thru the gates with all guns firing. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator cheerleaders Kelsey Nelson and Britney Chambers help Italy reach a new level against Itasca.

Gladiator cheerleaders Kelsey Nelson and Britney Chambers help Italy reach a new level against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Zackery Boykin(55) is all smiles during an injury timeout.

Senior Zackery Boykin(55) is all smiles during an injury timeout. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gold Rush is on: Eric Carson(12), Marvin Cox(12), Ryheem Walker(10), along with Chase Hamilton and Shad Newman, combine for 400 rushing yards against Itasca on 36 attempts.

The Gold Rush is on: Eric Carson(12), Marvin Cox(12), Ryheem Walker(10), along with Chase Hamilton and Shad Newman, combine for 400 rushing yards against Itasca on 36 attempts. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Brian Coffman gives defensive tackle Adrian Reed(64) pointers during a break in the action.

Coach Brian Coffman gives defensive tackle Adrian Reed(64) pointers during a break in the action. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore Lady Gladiator Jaclynn Lewis keeps stats during the game.

Sophomore Lady Gladiator Jaclynn Lewis keeps stats during the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Three beautiful smiles: Andrea Hooker, who recently received a heart transplant, is enjoying life with Team Hooker members Tina Long and Alexis Coots while watching the Gladiators defeat Itasca.

Three beautiful smiles: Andrea Hooker, who recently received a heart transplant, is enjoying life with Team Hooker members Tina Long and Alexis Coots while watching the Gladiators defeat Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Shad Newman(25) had his best defensive outing with 7 solo tackles and 5 assists.

Gladiator Shad Newman(25) had his best defensive outing with 7 solo tackles and 5 assists. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheerleader Britney Chambers and the Gladiators were flying high against Itasca on Friday night. Fellow cheerleaders lending a hand are Kelsey Nelson, Morgan Cockerham and Taylor Turner.

Cheerleader Britney Chambers and the Gladiators were flying high against Itasca on Friday night. Fellow cheerleaders lending a hand are Kelsey Nelson, Morgan Cockerham and Taylor Turner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Trevon Robertson(4) takes a well-deserved breather. Robertson caught 2 passes for 21 yards and had 7 tackles and 3 assists on defense.

Gladiator Trevon Robertson(4) takes a well-deserved breather. Robertson caught 2 passes for 21 yards and had 7 tackles and 3 assists on defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Left tackle Cody Medrano(75) kept the blind side of quarterback Marvin Cox well protected against Itasca.

Left tackle Cody Medrano(75) kept the blind side of quarterback Marvin Cox well protected against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(3) celebrates his team’s win after the game. Italy punished the Itasca Wampus Cats 51-0.

Marvin Cox(3) celebrates his team’s win after the game. Italy punished the Itasca Wampus Cats 51-0. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Wayne Rowe and his daughter Hannah take a victory walk together on Willis Field.

Coach Wayne Rowe and his daughter Hannah take a victory walk together on Willis Field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Seniors Chase Hamilton(2) and Adrian Reed(64) help Italy get the job done against Itasca.

Seniors Chase Hamilton(2) and Adrian Reed(64) help Italy get the job done against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiators Jaclynn Lewis, Katie Byers, Alyssa Richards, Paige Westbrook, Paola Mata, Monserrat Figueroa and Jozie Perkins are proud of the guys in gold.

Lady Gladiators Jaclynn Lewis, Katie Byers, Alyssa Richards, Paige Westbrook, Paola Mata, Monserrat Figueroa and Jozie Perkins are proud of the guys in gold. (Barry Byers)

Image: Everything came together Friday night for the Gladiators as they conquer Itasca 51-0 to start district play 1-0.

Everything came together Friday night for the Gladiators as they conquer Itasca 51-0 to start district play 1-0. (Barry Byers)

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