Italy — Everyone gathered at Willis Field on Tuesday of Homecoming Week to witness the lighting of an extremely large letter “I” while the band played a few notes to warmup fans before the lighting of the bonfire. The wood for the bonfire was piled up behind the Jimmy Davis Memorial Field House in preparation for the homecoming game between the Italy Gladiators and the Cross Roads Bobcats.

A legion of Gladiator fans made the walk from the field to the site of the bonfire where the Italy High School cheerleaders performed a rousing cheer as the mountain of wood and limbs was torched. Despite a slight breeze, the event continued with the Italy Fire Department nearby to keep everyone safe.

With the competition heating up as Italy moves further into district play, the bonfire heated up quickly, as well, keeping everyone warm along its fringe. The mood was just right to gather and visit while energizing the atmosphere with school spirit, a great and fun way to begin Homecoming 2012.

By games end on Friday, the Gladiators lit up the score board with a resounding 49-2 victory over the Bobcats. With the win, Italy outscored their last two opponents 100-2 during back-to-back home games. The only concern being that clock keeper Paul Cockerham might develop carpal tunnel syndrome or that game announcer Richard Dabney might get laryngitis.

Go Italy!