Kerens — The 2012 Italy Gladiators (5-0, 6-4), head coached by Hank Hollywood, defeated the Kerens Bobcats 40-27 to sweep their league competition 5-0 to claim the District 6-1A District Championship outright. With the effort against the Bobcats, who were hoping to force a three-team tie for 1st place, Italy receives an automatic bye in the first round of the playoffs and are also Bi-District Champions.

Gladiator quarterback, Marvin Cox, stated on Saturday, while taking in the sights and sounds of the inaugural NEH Pee-Wee Superbowl hosted in Italy on Saturday, “We need the bye. We’re sore and banged up so the break will be good for us.”

Against Kerens, after falling behind 14-0 by the midway point of the first-quarter, Cox and backfield mates Ryheem Walker and Chase Hamilton began to benefit from a ground attack that has been difficult to slow down, much less stop, throughout their district campaign. Offensive center Kyle Fortenberry and fellow shielders Kevin Roldan, Darol Mayberry, Cody Medrano, Zackery Boykin, Adrian Reed and Zain Byers have aided Gladiator ball carriers in slicing there way thru the district’s defenses. Faced with a two touchdown deficit, however, Italy’s offensive line would have to lead their team out of a hole in Kerens that measured 14-points deep before the Gladiators could lay claim to the district’s top spot.

Starting their second possession of the first-quarter from their own 32-yard line, Cox hands off to Walker who gains 19 yards to the Bobcat 49-yard line. Kerens jumps offsides before the next snap by Fortenberry. The ball is spotted at the forty-four by the officials. Play resumes, and Cox looks downfield and then tucks the ball way while crossing the line-of-scrimmage. Cox was slung down by his face mask on the play resulting in another Bobcat penalty. On 1st and ten from the 29-yard line of Kerens, with 6:18 still to play in the opening quarter, Cox keeps for six more to the twenty-three.

Walker gets the handoff and runs relentlessly to the Bobcat 7-yard line. Coach Hollywood, liking what he sees, calls Walker’s number again and the senior picks up a determined 4 yards more. With the Bobcats struggling to contain Walker, Hollywood doesn’t try to fix what ain’t broke and sends Walker into the end zone from 3-yards out, 14-6. Junior kicker Kevin Roldan boots thru the point-after to make the score 14-7 with 5:09 left in the first, Kerens is still leading.

Roldan kicks off and the Bobcats make a fair catch at their own thirty-five. Defensive right tackle, Reid Jacinto makes the tackle to hold Kerens to a 1 yard gain. A short pass by Kerens generates little to bring up 3rd and 9. An incomplete pass on the next play forces the Bobcats to punt the ball back to the Gladiators.

Cox fields the punt at his twenty and an energy surge from Italy’s crowd helps propel the senior to the 40-yard line of Kerens on the return. A pancake block by Mayberry helps Walker gain 2 yards but Cox trips and loses 4 yards on the next play. Cox tries to connect with Eric Carson downfield but the pass lands incomplete. Going for it on fourth down, Cox passes to Kelvin Joffre who appears to make a bobbling catch for the first down but the catch is ruled incomplete and Kerens takes over on downs, 2:53 to play in the first.

Byers, from his left defensive tackle position, drops a Bobcat runner for a loss of three. On the next play, Byers dives to catch Bobcat quarterback Nate Betts from behind to bring up 3rd and 15. Linebacker Shad Newman helps Byers contain the Bobcats to leave them with 4th and 11. Kerens punts with :49 seconds still showing. Cox fields the punt but is held in check by Kerens at Italy’s 32-yard line. Cox opens the drive with a handoff to Walker who breaks a long run but a spot foul holding penalty spots the ball back at Italy’s 29-yard line, 1st and 13. Cox benefits from a driving block by Cody Medrano that slingshots Cox to Italy’s 44-yard line to end the up and down first-quarter.

Walker steps out at midfield but a miscue on the next play leaves Italy with 3rd and 6. Cox keeps and carries to the Bobcat 38-yard line for the first down. Cox, not afraid to test the Bobcat secondary, passes incomplete to Carson at the 10:42 mark. Cox scrambles to the 20-yard line of Kerens for another Gladiator first down. Walker burrows his way to the eleven, 2nd and 1. Walker picks up enough to bring up 1st and goal for Italy from the ten. After passing incomplete intended for Carson, Cox rushes to the 2-yard line, 3rd and goal. Walker lunges his way across the goal line to make the score 14-13. Roldan’s kick catches the right upright and bounces back for a miss. The score remains 14-13 in favor of Kerens with 8:45 to play in the first half.

Kerens threatens to break a long run on the ensuing kickoff but Italy’s Cole Hopkins makes the hard-hitting tackle to force the Bobcat returner out at their 17-yard line. Freshman talent Hunter Merimon tackles Kerens for a 4 yard loss. Kerens completes a pass but Joffre makes the tackle short of the 1st down marker to bring up 3rd and 2. Chase Hamilton stops the Bobcats short of the sticks on the next play and Kerens ultimately decides to punt. The kick goes out-of-bounds at Italy’s 45-yard line with 6:44 remaining in the half.

A pair of runs by Walker quickly moves Italy into scoring position at the Bobcat 23-yard line. Hamilton gets the carry but holding backs Italy’s offense to the twenty-eight, 1st and 15 with 5:47 on the clock. Cox steps back and throws a beautiful pass to Hopkins who makes the grab for an apparent touchdown despite tight coverage. The play is erased, however, after offsetting pass interference penalties replay the down. Walker gains four to bring up 2nd and 11. Carson blocks downfield to pave way for Walker who reaches the fourteen, 3rd and 1. Cox hands off to Walker again which results in a 14-yard touchdown run by Walker who would not be denied. Roldan’s kick, with Fortenberry snapping and Hopkins holding, zips thru the uprights to give Italy a 20-14 advantage with 4:03 still to go.

Roldan’s kickoff goes thru the returner’s hands and into the end zone where the ball is downed for a touchback. On the first play, Jalarnce Jamal Lewis and Carson combine for the tackle, Kerens has 2nd and 8. The Bobcats complete a pass but a holding call leaves the home team with 2nd and 16 at their own 18-yard line. A pass interference call on the next play helps Kerens to a first down at their own 41-yard line. Betts carries Kerens to the Italy forty-nine for a first down. The Bobcats run to the Gladiator 31-yard line where Merimon makes the stop. Kerens has a first down with 1:56 to play in the first half.

Kerens tries a pass but it goes incomplete with Carson covering the on the play. The Bobcats run for a first down to Italy’s twelve. A face mask call during the run advances the ball half the distance to the goal, giving the Bobcats 1st and goal at Italy’s 4-yard line with 1:32 on the clock. Kerens pushes thru for a game tying touchdown and then takes the lead after the point-after kick is good. Kerens goes back in front 21-20 with 1:17 to play in the half.

Perhaps one of the games biggest plays was during the ensuing kickoff when Jacinto made a cleat-first sliding catch to down the ball at the Italy’s 35-yard line. Jacinto’s clutch play ensured possession for Italy and kept the Bobcats from adding to their newfound momentum.

A late hit on Cox moves the ball to midfield where Cox completes two passes to both Carson and Hopkins resulting in a Gladiator first down at the Bobcat 33-yard line. Cox scrambles on the following play but a blocking in the back penalty charged to Italy ends the first half with Kerens clinging to their 1-point lead, 21-20.

Halftime:
The Gladiator Regiment Marching Band and Color Guard performed for Kerens’ fans at halftime. Band director Jesus Perez watched proudly as drum major Emily Stiles and assistant drum major Madison Washington guided their soldiers thru their performance. Senior drumline captain Gus Allen and his percussion section rocked Bobcat Stadium while the Color Guard, including Brooke Miller, Anna Riddle, Alexis Burchett, Ashlyn Jacinto and Maria Patino unveiled a new routine where, at one point, they laid their flags on the field and began to bust a move.

Second Half:
The Gladiators score on their opening drive of the third-quarter. Alternating carries by Cox and Walker, combined with a pair of penalties charged to Kerens, place Italy across midfield to the Bobcat 41-yard line. Determined running by Walker on 4 straight carries gives a Italy a 2nd and 5 at the Bobcat 25-yard line, 7:36 remaining in the quarter.

Walker gets the ball to the nine and then Hamilton gains 1-yard to the Bobcat 8-yard line. Cox keeps to the four and then reaches the end zone on the next play to put the Gladiators up 26-21. The point-after attempt is foiled by the Bobcats to keep the game close.

Roldan kicks off and Kerens starts at their own 32-yard line. Kerens keeps their drive moving and earns a first down at Italy’s 43-yard line. Lewis tackles Betts forcing a fumble but the Bobcats pounce on it to preserve their possession, 2nd and 10 with 2:15 on the clock.

Three plays later, after catching a 4th down pass short of the sticks, the Kerens’ drive stalls and Italy takes over at their own 35-yard line. Unfortunately for the Gladiators, it was three and out to end the third-quarter.

To start the fourth-quarter, Hopkins punts the ball back to Kerens who start at their 31-yard line. Despite tackles by Merimon, Newman, Byers, Adrian Reed and Cox, the Bobcats drive to Italy’s 35-yard line and achieve a 1st down and 10 with 8:26 remaining in the contest. Kerens takes a timeout and then tries a reverse but Byers strings out the play and makes the tackle for a loss of one. Moments later, Kerens runs in from 32-yards out for the go ahead touchdown, changing the score 27-26 in favor of the Bobcats. The conversion try fails but Italy still trails by one with 7:15 remaining to decide the fate of the district.

Jacinto makes another important catch on the ensuing kickoff and Italy begins from their own 39-yard line. Cox keeps and hits the Bobcat sideline all the way to the end zone for a 71 yard touchdown run. The conversion try is off the mark but Italy fans are fired up as the Gladiators jump back in front of the Bobcats, 32-27, with 6:53 to play.

Kerens starts their next drive from their own 23-yard line after the Roldan kickoff. Jacinto, continues his outstanding outing by batting down a Betts pass to bring up 2nd and 10. Kerens gains two but no more with Hamilton making the tackle. On 3rd down and 8 yards to go, with 6:16 remaining, Betts throws a pass downfield. The high lob gives Italy’s defense a chance to react and Hamilton rises for the pick. Hamilton is hit while in the air causing the ball to deflect into the hands of Cox who is immediately tackled but not before Italy creates the turnover. Cox’s 5th interception of the season gives Italy a first down at their own 44-yard line.

Runs by Cox, Walker and Hamilton advance the ball to the Bobcat 23-yard line. A false start call backs Italy to the twenty-eight. With a chance to put the game away, Cox carries to the Bobcat 8-yard line with 2:00 remaining. Cox hands off to Walker who finishes the drive from 8-yards out for his 4th touchdown of the game. Italy leads 38-27 and then 40-27 when Cox connects with Carson for the two-point conversion with 1:28 left in the game.

The Gladiator band and the IHS cheerleaders get the stands rocking as everyone joins in on the celebration. Roldan kicks off and pens Kerens deep. Byers sacks Betts with :33 seconds remaining to seal the Gladiator victory. The crowd erupts and the Gladiators join in the celebration as players climb into the stands to jam with the band. Coach Hollywood panics when assistant coach Larry Mayberry, Sr., attempts to pour the water cooler over Hollywood’s head. The cooler was empty and everyone chuckled at the trick while Hollywood breathed a sigh of relief.

As a team, the Gladiators have showed plenty of character coming from behind in the fourth-quarter to defeat both Cayuga and Kerens during Italy’s quest to become District 6-1A District Champions! The Gladiators also earn a first-round bye in the playoffs and are automatically named bi-district champions, and therefore, do not play this Friday night. Coach Hollywood says Italy will play the winner out of Valley View and Simms Bowie for Thanksgiving. The game time and location for Italy’s area championship challenge is TBA.

Congratulations to the Italy Gladiators, their coaching staff, their cheerleaders, the Gladiator band and Italy High School on their achievements. Italy was a co-district champion last season in 2A and has made the most of their return to 1A by taking back what has been theirs so often in the past, an undisputed district championship.

A personal congratulations goes out to senior Gladiator Chase Hamilton who attended classes and continued workouts this week with his father, Lee Hamilton, in the hospital. Thankfully, Lee was back at home resting during the game while his wife DeeDee was in Kerens to cheer Chase on during the game, and then give him a good job hug after the game. Little brother, Ty Hamilton, who plays for Italy’s JH squad and is a water boy for the Gladiators, was able to share the moment with his big brother as well. We all wish you a speedy recovery, Lee! And hope to see you at the practices soon!!

“How ’bout them Gladiators!”

See more images from the Italy – Kerens battle