Gladiators claim area championship with 35-14 win over the Valley View Eagles

Image: The Italy High School cheerleaders pump up the crowd as the team bus passes thru the school parking lot with fans giving the Gladiators a “good luck” sendoff while on their way to Pennington Field in Bedford to take on Valley View for the area championship.

The Italy High School cheerleaders pump up the crowd as the team bus passes thru the school parking lot with fans giving the Gladiators a “good luck” sendoff while on their way to Pennington Field in Bedford to take on Valley View for the area championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator fans show their support for the players and coaches as the team heads into their second round playoff battle against Valley View.

Gladiator fans show their support for the players and coaches as the team heads into their second round playoff battle against Valley View. (Barry Byers)

Image: IHS cheerleader Meagan Hooker breaks a nervous smile before the start of the game.

IHS cheerleader Meagan Hooker breaks a nervous smile before the start of the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Regiment Band member Sarah Levy gives a thumbs up for the Gladiators.

Gladiator Regiment Band member Sarah Levy gives a thumbs up for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator senior captains Chase Hamilton(2), Ryheem Walker(10), Zackery Boykin(55) and Cole Hopkins(9) prepare for the coin toss.

Gladiator senior captains Chase Hamilton(2), Ryheem Walker(10), Zackery Boykin(55) and Cole Hopkins(9) prepare for the coin toss. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(3) hands off to Ryheem Walker(10) as the talented pair combined for 257 yards against Valley View.

Marvin Cox(3) hands off to Ryheem Walker(10) as the talented pair combined for 257 yards against Valley View. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kelsey Nelson, Morgan Cockerham, Ashlyn Jacinto and their IHS cheer mates help provide excitement along the Gladiator sideline.

Kelsey Nelson, Morgan Cockerham, Ashlyn Jacinto and their IHS cheer mates help provide excitement along the Gladiator sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryheem Walker(10) fights for more yards as Cody Medrano(75) keeps blocking Eagle defenders.

Ryheem Walker(10) fights for more yards as Cody Medrano(75) keeps blocking Eagle defenders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zackery Boykin(55) and Ryheem Walker(10) help create a launching pad for the rocket arm of QB Marvin Cox(3). Cox completed 7-of-12 passes for 47 yards and 1 two-point conversion pass to teammate Eric Carson(12).

Zackery Boykin(55) and Ryheem Walker(10) help create a launching pad for the rocket arm of QB Marvin Cox(3). Cox completed 7-of-12 passes for 47 yards and 1 two-point conversion pass to teammate Eric Carson(12). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s offensive line had a tall order against the Eagle defensive line that boasted 300 pounders over 6 feet tall. Gladiator center Zain Byers and his fellow lineman Cody Medrano, Darol Mayberry, Kevin Roldan and Zackery Boykin proved their toughness in the trenches to help Italy get the win.

Italy’s offensive line had a tall order against the Eagle defensive line that boasted 300 pounders over 6 feet tall. Gladiator center Zain Byers and his fellow lineman Cody Medrano, Darol Mayberry, Kevin Roldan and Zackery Boykin proved their toughness in the trenches to help Italy get the win. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cornerback Eric Carson(12) upends Valley View’s top weapon as teammate Jalarnce Lewis(21) helps his teammate to his cleats. Carson finished the game with 13 tackles including 8 solos and 5 assists.

Cornerback Eric Carson(12) upends Valley View’s top weapon as teammate Jalarnce Lewis(21) helps his teammate to his cleats. Carson finished the game with 13 tackles including 8 solos and 5 assists. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jalarnce Lewis(21), Kyle Fortenberry (66) and Zain Byers(50) dig in on defense.

Jalarnce Lewis(21), Kyle Fortenberry (66) and Zain Byers(50) dig in on defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator defender Hunter Merimon(45) wraps the legs of Eagle runner Landon Boaz(23).

Gladiator defender Hunter Merimon(45) wraps the legs of Eagle runner Landon Boaz(23). (Barry Byers)

Image: Taylor Turner, Morgan Cockerham, Britney Chambers and Ashlyn Jacinto display golden rally rags provided by First State Bank of Italy. Rally rags were also given to the parents of Gladiator players.

Taylor Turner, Morgan Cockerham, Britney Chambers and Ashlyn Jacinto display golden rally rags provided by First State Bank of Italy. Rally rags were also given to the parents of Gladiator players. (Barry Byers)

Image: Drumline members Brett Kirton, Brenya Williams, Whitney Wolaver, Noah Ramirez and Gus Allen are on top of their game during the halftime performance.

Drumline members Brett Kirton, Brenya Williams, Whitney Wolaver, Noah Ramirez and Gus Allen are on top of their game during the halftime performance. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(50) brings down Eagle back Landon Boaz(23) as Italy’s Shad Newman(25) fends off blockers.

Zain Byers(50) brings down Eagle back Landon Boaz(23) as Italy’s Shad Newman(25) fends off blockers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Receiver Eric Carson(12) pulls in a conversion pass from Marvin Cox(3) to increase Italy’s lead 22-14 with 2:33 remaining in the the third-quarter.

Receiver Eric Carson(12) pulls in a conversion pass from Marvin Cox(3) to increase Italy’s lead 22-14 with 2:33 remaining in the the third-quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(3) lunges forward as Zain Byers(50), Darol Mayberry(58) and Kevin Roldan(60) create running lanes.

Marvin Cox(3) lunges forward as Zain Byers(50), Darol Mayberry(58) and Kevin Roldan(60) create running lanes. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(3) huddles with his offense near their own end zone.

Marvin Cox(3) huddles with his offense near their own end zone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chase Hamilton(2) prepares to cover Valley View’s Josh Bridges(22).

Chase Hamilton(2) prepares to cover Valley View’s Josh Bridges(22). (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hopkins(9), Chase Hamilton(2) and Levi McBride(85) lead the way for Ryheem Walker(10) who gains yards after a block by Kevin Roldan(60).

Cole Hopkins(9), Chase Hamilton(2) and Levi McBride(85) lead the way for Ryheem Walker(10) who gains yards after a block by Kevin Roldan(60). (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Chase Hamilton(2) breaks up a pass intended for Valley View’s Josh Bridges(22) as Ryheem Walker(10) and Eric Carson(12) hustle over to make sure.

Gladiator Chase Hamilton(2) breaks up a pass intended for Valley View’s Josh Bridges(22) as Ryheem Walker(10) and Eric Carson(12) hustle over to make sure. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator head coach Hank Hollywood stays active along the sideline late in the game.

Gladiator head coach Hank Hollywood stays active along the sideline late in the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eric Carson(12) pulls down Eagle receiver Cole Seese(7) with Valley View desperately trying to reach the end zone as Italy’s Jalarnce Lewis(21), Shad Newman(25), Kyle Fortneberry(66) and Marvin Cox(3) converge on the ball. The Gladiators secure a 35-14 win to claim the area championship.

Eric Carson(12) pulls down Eagle receiver Cole Seese(7) with Valley View desperately trying to reach the end zone as Italy’s Jalarnce Lewis(21), Shad Newman(25), Kyle Fortneberry(66) and Marvin Cox(3) converge on the ball. The Gladiators secure a 35-14 win to claim the area championship. (Barry Byers)

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