Italy finds a way, upsets Cayuga 20-16

Image: The Italy Gladiators and their cheerleaders and band showed their toughness against the Cayuga Wildcats this past Friday night in Cayuga. Italy led 14-0 at halftime but fell behind 16-14 by the fourth-quarter. Gladiator Nation pulled together and scored with 2:58 remaining in the game to win 20-16. — *T*ough *P*eople *W*in

The Italy Gladiators and their cheerleaders and band showed their toughness against the Cayuga Wildcats this past Friday night in Cayuga. Italy led 14-0 at halftime but fell behind 16-14 by the fourth-quarter. Gladiator Nation pulled together and scored with 2:58 remaining in the game to win 20-16. — *T*ough *P*eople *W*in (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiators take the field against the Cayuga Wildcats

The Gladiators take the field against the Cayuga Wildcats (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator captains Cole Hopkins(9), Ryheem Walker(10), Chase Hamilton(2) and Marvin Cox(3) during the pre-game coin toss.

Gladiator captains Cole Hopkins(9), Ryheem Walker(10), Chase Hamilton(2) and Marvin Cox(3) during the pre-game coin toss. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator head coach Hank Hollywood and the Gladiators stand ready for the challenge against Cayuga with the winner taking control of the district heading into the final two games.

Gladiator head coach Hank Hollywood and the Gladiators stand ready for the challenge against Cayuga with the winner taking control of the district heading into the final two games. (Barry Byers)

Image: Offensive coordinator Nate Skelton photo bombs his Lady Gladiators stat squad of Bailey Eubank, Jaclynn Lewis and Alyssa Richards.

Offensive coordinator Nate Skelton photo bombs his Lady Gladiators stat squad of Bailey Eubank, Jaclynn Lewis and Alyssa Richards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator quarterback Marvin Cox(3) warms up the throwing arm before the kickoff. Cox completed 5-of-12 passes for 69 yards and 1 touchdown of 33 yards to fellow senior Kelvin Joffre. Cox also carried 21 times for 138 yards including the game winning touchdown late in the fourth-quarter.

Gladiator quarterback Marvin Cox(3) warms up the throwing arm before the kickoff. Cox completed 5-of-12 passes for 69 yards and 1 touchdown of 33 yards to fellow senior Kelvin Joffre. Cox also carried 21 times for 138 yards including the game winning touchdown late in the fourth-quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kelsy Nelson hops a ride on the back of Gladiator mascot Reagan Adams.

Kelsy Nelson hops a ride on the back of Gladiator mascot Reagan Adams. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy freshman Ty Windham gets suited up to take on Cayuga.

Italy freshman Ty Windham gets suited up to take on Cayuga. (Barry Byers)

Image: Your 2012 Italy Gladiator cheerleaders are mascot Reagan Adams, Kelsey Nelson, Ashlyn Jacinto, Britney Chambers, Morgan Cockerham and Meagan Hooker. Sitting down on the job are K’Breona Davis and Taylor Turner.

Your 2012 Italy Gladiator cheerleaders are mascot Reagan Adams, Kelsey Nelson, Ashlyn Jacinto, Britney Chambers, Morgan Cockerham and Meagan Hooker. Sitting down on the job are K’Breona Davis and Taylor Turner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eric Carson(12), one of Italy’s playmakers, made a crucial 1st down reception in the second half against Cayuga.

Eric Carson(12), one of Italy’s playmakers, made a crucial 1st down reception in the second half against Cayuga. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiator Regiment Marching Band performs for Cayuga’s fans during halftime.

The Gladiator Regiment Marching Band performs for Cayuga’s fans during halftime. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy defenders Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(21), Ryheem Walker(10), Shad Newman(25), Zain Byers(50), Hayden Wood(8), Marvin Cox(3) and the rest of their Gladiator defensive teammates hold Cayuga’s offense to its second lowest scoring effort this season.

Italy defenders Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(21), Ryheem Walker(10), Shad Newman(25), Zain Byers(50), Hayden Wood(8), Marvin Cox(3) and the rest of their Gladiator defensive teammates hold Cayuga’s offense to its second lowest scoring effort this season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ty Hamilton and Clay Riddle believe as they prepare to hand the flags over to the team while the IHS cheerleaders seek warmth inside the tunnel on a chilly night for Texas football.

Ty Hamilton and Clay Riddle believe as they prepare to hand the flags over to the team while the IHS cheerleaders seek warmth inside the tunnel on a chilly night for Texas football. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brooke Miller, Anna Rose and their fellow color guard members substitute pom-pons for flags without missing a beat during halftime.

Brooke Miller, Anna Rose and their fellow color guard members substitute pom-pons for flags without missing a beat during halftime. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Eric Carson(12) signals for a 1st down after his 10 yard catch is measured to prove he is exactly right, sustaining Italy’s game winning drive late in the fourth-quarter.

Gladiator Eric Carson(12) signals for a 1st down after his 10 yard catch is measured to prove he is exactly right, sustaining Italy’s game winning drive late in the fourth-quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiator Regiment Band hustles and bustles between notes but do a fabulous job each and every game. There’s a time to play and then there is a time to play and this talented group knows the difference.

The Gladiator Regiment Band hustles and bustles between notes but do a fabulous job each and every game. There’s a time to play and then there is a time to play and this talented group knows the difference. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Justin Robbins(54) and Kevin Roldan(60) are proud of their team’s winning accomplishment, 20-16 over Cayuga!

Gladiators Justin Robbins(54) and Kevin Roldan(60) are proud of their team’s winning accomplishment, 20-16 over Cayuga! (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Jalarnce Lewis(21) is congratulated by Chelsea Beets.

Gladiator Jalarnce Lewis(21) is congratulated by Chelsea Beets. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Chase Hamilton(2) gave a star studded performance against Cayuga, particularly in the games final moments when defending two pass attempts by the Wildcats that helped preserve Italy’s dramatic victory.

Senior Gladiator Chase Hamilton(2) gave a star studded performance against Cayuga, particularly in the games final moments when defending two pass attempts by the Wildcats that helped preserve Italy’s dramatic victory. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(3) gives his best Tim Tebow impersonation after defeating Cayuga.

Marvin Cox(3) gives his best Tim Tebow impersonation after defeating Cayuga. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore center Kyle Fortenberry(66) helps Italy win their first three district games.

Sophomore center Kyle Fortenberry(66) helps Italy win their first three district games. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Ryheem Walker and Lady Gladiator Monserrat Figueroa plan to celebrate Italy’s victory over Cayuga back at McDonalds’ in Italy…not disneyland.

Gladiator Ryheem Walker and Lady Gladiator Monserrat Figueroa plan to celebrate Italy’s victory over Cayuga back at McDonalds’ in Italy…not disneyland. (Barry Byers)

Image: We won! Lady Gladiators Jozie Perkins, Paige Westbrook, Paola Mata, Monserrat Figueroa and Alyssa Richards are proud of their Gladiators!

We won! Lady Gladiators Jozie Perkins, Paige Westbrook, Paola Mata, Monserrat Figueroa and Alyssa Richards are proud of their Gladiators! (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleader Morgan Cockerham reminds us to be proud Americans and Gladiators!

Italy High School cheerleader Morgan Cockerham reminds us to be proud Americans and Gladiators!

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