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)
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)