Beat Stamford! Fans cheer on their Gladiators during a pep rally Thursday

Image: Italy High School cheerleader Taylor Turner helps decorate vehicles to inspire the Gladiators against Stamford, and to encourage car cleanliness, before Italy’s Thursday night pep rally inside the old George E. Scott Coliseum gymnasium.

Italy High School cheerleader Taylor Turner helps decorate vehicles to inspire the Gladiators against Stamford, and to encourage car cleanliness, before Italy’s Thursday night pep rally inside the old George E. Scott Coliseum gymnasium. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleader Taylor Britney Chambers adds some spirit to this windshield as Justin Robbins(54) feels he resembles that remark. Photo bomb courtesy of IHS cheerleader Ashlyn Jacinto.

Italy High School cheerleader Taylor Britney Chambers adds some spirit to this windshield as Justin Robbins(54) feels he resembles that remark. Photo bomb courtesy of IHS cheerleader Ashlyn Jacinto. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Justin Robbins(54) tries to show his decorating skills as well to help promote school spirit before Italty’s semifinal championship game against Stamford.

Gladiator Justin Robbins(54) tries to show his decorating skills as well to help promote school spirit before Italty’s semifinal championship game against Stamford. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Clayton Miller(40), Hunter Merimon(45) and Levi McBride(85) are ready to get their pep rally on.

Gladiators Clayton Miller(40), Hunter Merimon(45) and Levi McBride(85) are ready to get their pep rally on. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tatum Adams helps hold down the air tunnel with very enthusiastic Gladiators on the inside.

Tatum Adams helps hold down the air tunnel with very enthusiastic Gladiators on the inside. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(85) and his Gladiator teammates step into the tunnel and into history as only the 4th Italy Gladiator Football team to represent Italy High school in the semi-final round.

Levi McBride(85) and his Gladiator teammates step into the tunnel and into history as only the 4th Italy Gladiator Football team to represent Italy High school in the semi-final round. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Zackery Boykin(55), and his teammates prepare to emerge from the smoke filled tunnel.

Senior Gladiator Zackery Boykin(55), and his teammates prepare to emerge from the smoke filled tunnel. (Barry Byers)

Image: GRB members April Lusk and JoeMack Pitts help create the “Beat of Champions!”

GRB members April Lusk and JoeMack Pitts help create the “Beat of Champions!” (Barry Byers)

Image: GRB members Haylee Turner, Julissa Hernandez and Lizzie Garcia play it with pride!

GRB members Haylee Turner, Julissa Hernandez and Lizzie Garcia play it with pride! (Barry Byers)

Image: The cheerleaders prepare to mask senior Gladiator Hayden Woods(8) for his turn at the football piñata.

The cheerleaders prepare to mask senior Gladiator Hayden Woods(8) for his turn at the football piñata. (Barry Byers)

Image: Michael Martinez works the piñata as cheerleader Kelsey Nelson enjoys the comedic scene created by the festive idea.

Michael Martinez works the piñata as cheerleader Kelsey Nelson enjoys the comedic scene created by the festive idea. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Hayden Woods(8) takes a mighty swing at the football that represents the Stamford Bulldogs.

Gladiator Hayden Woods(8) takes a mighty swing at the football that represents the Stamford Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Marvin Cox(3) gets blindfold by cheerleader Taylor Turner and then handed a battering stick by mascot Reagan Adams in which to further damage the Stamford piñata.

Senior Gladiator Marvin Cox(3) gets blindfold by cheerleader Taylor Turner and then handed a battering stick by mascot Reagan Adams in which to further damage the Stamford piñata. (Barry Byers)

Image: I’m at one with the ball, I’m at one with the ball…. Michael Martinez tries to prod the confused instincts of Marvin Cox(3).

I’m at one with the ball, I’m at one with the ball…. Michael Martinez tries to prod the confused instincts of Marvin Cox(3). (Barry Byers)

Image: Jalarnce Lewis(21) and Ryheem Walker(10) retrieve candy with some of their youngest fans after teammate Zackery Boykin(55) gashed the piñata open.

Jalarnce Lewis(21) and Ryheem Walker(10) retrieve candy with some of their youngest fans after teammate Zackery Boykin(55) gashed the piñata open. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Brandon Connor(77) and cheerleader K’Breona Davis decide they want some of the candy from the piñata.

Gladiator Brandon Connor(77) and cheerleader K’Breona Davis decide they want some of the candy from the piñata. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiators gather around to watch a slideshow, courtesy of Italy Neotribune, displaying images from their most recent games.

The Gladiators gather around to watch a slideshow, courtesy of Italy Neotribune, displaying images from their most recent games. (Barry Byers)

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