Cayuga — How ‘bout them Gladiators! Head Coach Hank Hollywood’s grid-iron heroes go the distance scoring an upset win over the Cayuga Wildcats.

With Italy having six different players scoring touchdowns in their previous outing against Cross Roads, Cayuga’s defense seemed determined to, at least, slow down Walker who entered the battle as the district’s leading rusher with over 1,000 yards to his credit. For the most part, Cayuga’s strategy proved effective forcing the Gladiators to grind it out.

Despite a chill in the air, Italy jumped out to 7-0 lead thanks to a stretch at the goal line by tailback Ryheem Walker who scored from 4-yards out on the second play of the second-quarter. Italy’s Shad Newman recovered the ensuing onside kick by Kevin Roldan, on the third play of the quarter, setting up a 33 yard touchdown completion from quarterback Marvin Cox to receiver Kelvin Joffrey, on the fourth play of the second-quarter. Joffre’s catch gave Italy a 14-0 advantage at halftime. Both of Kevin Roldan’s point-after kicks during the first half were successful with Cole Hopkins holding and Kyle Fortenberry snapping.

The Gladiators did have a chance to add another touchdown just before halftime but the pass from Cox, intended for Hopkins, was intercepted by Cayuga at a the Wildcat 1-yard line.

The third-quarter belonged to Cayuga, however, who charged back into the contest with a 38 yard touchdown run to setup a thrilling fourth-quarter. With the score 14-7, still in favor of Italy, Cayuga added a field goal early in the fourth to close in on the Gladiators, 14-10. Cayuga then scored their second touchdown midway thru the final period to go up 16-14. Cayuga’s point-after kick was blocked by Walker to keep Italy within a field goal of taking the lead. The Wildcats had a chance to score on the play when the botched attempt was picked up by a Cayuga blocker but Italy’s Reid Jacinto made the tackle to keep the Gladiator deficit to just 2-points, with 5:51 remaining.

Newman made a fair catch on the ensuing kickoff and Italy began from their own 28-yard line. Italy’s drive was off to rocky start when a second incomplete pass brought up 4th and 12. Coach Hollywood decided to forego another punt by Hopkins and rolled the dice. Looking to pass, Cox started right and then rolled left, tucked the ball and ran for first down yardage. Cox was hit out-of-bounds in the process tacking on 15 more yards to the end of the run.

After the penalty was marked off, Italy had a 1st down at Cayuga’s 36-yard line. Cox put the team on his shoulders and made a brilliant run, slipping thru the grasp of two Wildcat defenders before dancing his way to the 8-yard line. On 1st and goal, Cox kept the ball and dove to the 6 inch line to bring up 2nd and goal. Cox willed the Gladiators into the end zone on the next play to regain the lead for the Gladiators. The conversion try failed but not before Italy reestablished a lead, 20-16, with 2:58 remaining.

Roldan kicked it deep and Cody Medrano made the tackle to leave Cayuga with a daunting 67 yards to travel for the comeback win. It was now up to the Gladiator defense to stop the Wildcats who had scored on their previous possession. Italy’s defensive front consisting of Jalarnce Jamal Lewis, Adrian Reed, Zain Byers and Jacinto made several plays throughout the contest with Walker, Hayden Wood, Hunter Merimon, Newman, Cox, Carson and Chase Hamilton backing them up, but now the game and control of the district was on the line.

From their 34-yard line, Cayuga ran for a 1st down to their 44-yard on their first play. Their second run netted 8 yards to midfield. On 2nd and 2, Byers made the tackle at the line-of-scrimmage but Cayuga achieved a fresh set of downs. Cayuga passed long but Hamilton had tight coverage to foil the Wildcat attempt, 2nd and 10. Byers catches Cayuga’s quarterback from behind which brought up 3rd and 7 with 1:41 to play. The Wildcat QB escaped a near sack by Jacinto and then managed to find an open receiver downfield for a 1st down at Italy’s 32-yard line with 1:29 on the clock. Timeout Wildcats with 1:31 on the clock.

Out of the break, Cayuga is charged with a false start penalty and is backed up to Italy’s 37-yard line, 1st and 15 with 1:29 showing. Cayuga completed a short pass to the thirty-four for 2nd and 12. Two plays later, out of the shotgun formation on 3rd and long, Cayuga’s quarterback keeps and tries to run off right tackle. Byers took on Cayuga’s kick out blocker in the hole causing the play to bounce outside. Byers kept his outside arm free and pulled down the Wildcat signal caller for no gain. Byers then rolled over and slapped Scarborough Field in defiance to lift the Gladiator defense as Cayuga called a timeout to discuss their 4th and 13 situation.

Out of the timeout, Cayuga tried to pass for the first down but Merimon and Hamilton were on the coverage and the desperation pass landed incomplete. The Gladiator sideline erupted in celebration as Cox took a pair of victory snaps from Fortenberry to end the fray. Italy found a way, defeating Cayuga 20-16. The Gladiators improved their record to 4-4 overall and now stand alone at the top of the district with a 3-0 record.

The Gladiators will take on the Dallas Gateway Gators Friday, November 2, starting at 7:30 p.m. as Italy High School celebrates Senior Night at Willis Field.

Homecoming game photographs are available for purchase from last weeks matchup between Italy and Cross Roads thanks to McGrawClark Photography of Italy. Enter your email address on the main page, then enter “victory” for the password and then add items to your cart. The individual prints are: $3.00 for each 4×6, $5.00 for each 5×7, $10.00 for each 8×10 and $20.00 for each 11×14. Other sizes or items are available upon request. Contact Jessica Clark at: 972-483-6704 / [email protected]

Go Italy!