Italy vs. Valley View Friday @ 7:30 p.m. at Bedford’s Pennington Field – Area

Barry Byers Posted November 20, 2012 10:00pm Italy Gladiator Football

Image: Gladiator assistant coach Larry Mayberry, Sr. and team dad Mark Jacinto prepare victory hamburgers for the 2012 district champion Italy Gladiators who also earned a first-round bye and the bi-distrcit championship as well after going 5-0 in district play. — Gladiator assistant coach Larry Mayberry, Sr. and team dad Mark Jacinto prepare victory hamburgers for the 2012 district champion Italy Gladiators who also earned a first-round bye and the bi-distrcit championship as well after going 5-0 in district play. (Barry Byers)

Area Championship – Italy vs. Valley View
Friday @ 7:30 p.m. at Pennington Field in Bedford

Assistant coach Larry Mayberry, Sr., IHS school board president Larry Eubank and Mark Jacinto, father of Gladiator defensive tackle Reid Jacinto and uncle to Gladiator receiver Caden Jacinto, provided players, coaches, cheerleaders and stat squad girls with a hamburger and fries celebration meal to congratulate the team on winning the 2012 District Championship and earning a first-round bye to claim the bi-district championship.

Noseguard Jalarnce Lewis and his teammates swallowed up burgers like divisional opponents while displaying plenty of teamwork to get the mission accomplished. Whether it was Zain Byers squeezing ketchup on lineman buddy Kevin Roldan’s plate, or assistant coach Josh Ward and Coach Hollywood planning their moves from one table to the next, the meal was the challenge and the burgers never had a chance in this one.

Team managers Jaclynn Lewis and Bailey Eubank also helped prepare the food line that seemed more like a goal line with all 32 Gladiators diving in for a good meal.

The hamburgers hit the spot, but the Gladiators are now hungry for an area championship victory, therefore, Coach Hollywood has submitted game and gate information below:

Italy vs Valley View Area Playoff Game Information:

Home Team:
Valley View (Green, Black, White)

Visiting Team:
Italy (Old Gold and White)

Location:
Pennington Field in Bedford, Texas
(1501 Central Drive, Bedford, TX 76022)

Kickoff Time:
7:30 p.m.

Ticket Price:
Adults: $6.00
Kids: $4.00

Passes Accepted:
THSCA
TGCA
District
Senior Citizen

Go Gladiators!

Here come some hungry Gladiators: Darol Mayberry and his teammates Kyle Fortenberry, Clayton Miller and Cody Boyd are ready to enjoy their congratulation cookout after a team practice. (Barry Byers)

Teamwork: Zain Byers squeezes ketchup for teammate Kevin Roldan as Shad Newman, Zackery Boykin, Ryheem Walker, Kyle Fortenberry and Tyvion Copeland try to make a play for the burgers. (Barry Byers)

Coach Mayberry hands off a patty to Shad Newman as Cole Hopkins gets ready to receive. (Barry Byers)

Jalarnce Lewis has his game face on as Coach Mayberry risks injury to serve the talented and hungry senior. (Barry Byers)

All in: The Gladiators line up for the cookout kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Cody Medrano takes the patty from Coach Mayberry and runs with it to the condiments table. (Barry Byers)

Defensive tackle Reid Jacinto contains his food from spilling over as Coach Mayberry makes a move. (Barry Byers)

Ryheem Walker, Eric Carson and Adrian Reed dig in on the chow line. (Barry Byers)

Kelvin Joffre, John Hughes and Kyle Fortenberry maneuver around Ryheem Walker who is trained to be an obstacle as linebacker. (Barry Byers)

Adrian Reed is a champ when it comes to football fields and hamburgers. (Barry Byers)

Levi McBride, Cody Boyd and Clayton Miller strategize at the condiments table. (Barry Byers)

Gladiator Brandon Connor and mascot Reagan Adams are enjoying the team’s victory celebration! (Barry Byers)

Coaches Josh Ward and Hank Hollywood plan the group’s next move. (Barry Byers)

Brandon Duncan and the Gladiators took a big ole’ bite out of their competition to claim the title. (Barry Byers)

“Nice buns, Coach Coffman!” (Barry Byers)

Gladiator Football Head Coach/AD Hank Hollywood presented senior Chase Hamilton with a ball autographed by the team and a team photo of the team after the win over Kerens. A deflection by Chase helped cause an interception by Marvin Cox late in the game to seal the win over the Bobcats and help Italy claim the district crown. Chase displayed heart and courage while making it through the week of practices leading up to the Keren’s game while his father, Lee Hamilton, was in the hospital. (Barry Byers)

Team manager and Chase Hamilton’s little brother Ty Hamilton receives a hug from Coach Hank Hollywood as the Gladiators honor their teammate and Mr. Hamilton. (Barry Byers)

The Gladiator team photo given to Lee Hamilton who is currently at home from the hospital recovering. “Get well soon, Lee!” (Barry Byers)

“Go get ’em, Gladiators!” (Barry Byers)