Gladiators finish playoff run with a 41-8 loss to Stamford

Image: In anticipation of the upcoming semifinal matchup against Stamford, Gladiator fans converge on downtown Italy to give the team a spirited sendoff as the speaker on the corner blasts the Gladiator fight song.

In anticipation of the upcoming semifinal matchup against Stamford, Gladiator fans converge on downtown Italy to give the team a spirited sendoff as the speaker on the corner blasts the Gladiator fight song. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheerleader Taylor Turner displays a TPW sign which stands for “Tough People Win” with the Gladiators showing plenty of toughness this season.

Cheerleader Taylor Turner displays a TPW sign which stands for “Tough People Win” with the Gladiators showing plenty of toughness this season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator fans line the streets as the team buses approach downtown Italy.

Gladiator fans line the streets as the team buses approach downtown Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Flags wave as the Gladiator faithful get into position along main street.

Flags wave as the Gladiator faithful get into position along main street. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fans can hear the sirens blaring as the Italy Police Department and the Italy Fire Department give the Gladiators a personal escort down the stretch of Highway 34 that runs thru downtown.

Fans can hear the sirens blaring as the Italy Police Department and the Italy Fire Department give the Gladiators a personal escort down the stretch of Highway 34 that runs thru downtown. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jozie Perkins, Paola Mata and Paige Westbrook are excited for the team and ready for the game!

Jozie Perkins, Paola Mata and Paige Westbrook are excited for the team and ready for the game! (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(10) and Ryheem Walker(3) are ready to lead Italy into battle against Stamford.

Marvin Cox(10) and Ryheem Walker(3) are ready to lead Italy into battle against Stamford. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(50) and his Gladiator teammates prepare for their biggest challenge of the season.

Zain Byers(50) and his Gladiator teammates prepare for their biggest challenge of the season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Kyle Fortenberry(66) and Hayden Woods(8) and their teammates match into battle.

Gladiators Kyle Fortenberry(66) and Hayden Woods(8) and their teammates match into battle. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Levi McBride(85), CLayton Miller(40), Ty Windham(36) and Justin Robbins(64) get ready to rumble in the state semifinal matchup against Stamford.

Gladiators Levi McBride(85), CLayton Miller(40), Ty Windham(36) and Justin Robbins(64) get ready to rumble in the state semifinal matchup against Stamford. (Barry Byers)

Image: Reid Jacinto(11), Eric Carson(12), Kelvin Joffre(80), Cody Boyd(15) and Trevon Robertson(4) get their game faces on.

Reid Jacinto(11), Eric Carson(12), Kelvin Joffre(80), Cody Boyd(15) and Trevon Robertson(4) get their game faces on. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Brandon Connor(77), Chase Hamilton(2), Zackery Boykin(55), Cody Medrano(75) and Cole Hopkins(9) receive cheers from fans as they attempt to march past Stamford and into the state championship round.

Gladiators Brandon Connor(77), Chase Hamilton(2), Zackery Boykin(55), Cody Medrano(75) and Cole Hopkins(9) receive cheers from fans as they attempt to march past Stamford and into the state championship round. (Barry Byers)

Image: Assistant coach Larry Mayberry, Sr. gears up as Cody Medrano(75), Cole Hopkins(9) and Caden Jacinto(6) make their way back to the locker room before taking on Stamford.

Assistant coach Larry Mayberry, Sr. gears up as Cody Medrano(75), Cole Hopkins(9) and Caden Jacinto(6) make their way back to the locker room before taking on Stamford. (Barry Byers)

Image: Color guard members Brooke Miller and Anna Riddle and IYAA Gladiator Dustyn Rose join in the pre-game spirit line.

Color guard members Brooke Miller and Anna Riddle and IYAA Gladiator Dustyn Rose join in the pre-game spirit line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator mascot Reagan Adams is grinning with school pride.

Gladiator mascot Reagan Adams is grinning with school pride. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jimesha Reed, Taleyia Wilson, Monserrat Figueroa, Alyssa Richards, Katie Byers and Breyanna Beets help form the spirit line.

Jimesha Reed, Taleyia Wilson, Monserrat Figueroa, Alyssa Richards, Katie Byers and Breyanna Beets help form the spirit line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator senior captains Adrian Reed(64), John Hughes(62), Kelvin Joffre(80) and Reid Jacinto(11) during the pre-game coin toss.

Gladiator senior captains Adrian Reed(64), John Hughes(62), Kelvin Joffre(80) and Reid Jacinto(11) during the pre-game coin toss. (Barry Byers)

Image: Showing respect to the flag before going into war.

Showing respect to the flag before going into war. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Marvin Cox(3) gets his throwing arm warmed up before the kickoff.

Senior Marvin Cox(3) gets his throwing arm warmed up before the kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Medrano(75), Kyle Fortenberry(75), Zackery Boykin(55), Hayden Woods(8) and Kelvin Joffre(80) prepare for the kickoff.

Cody Medrano(75), Kyle Fortenberry(75), Zackery Boykin(55), Hayden Woods(8) and Kelvin Joffre(80) prepare for the kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Image: Quarterback Marvin Cox(3) drops back to pass, Kelvin Joffre(80) and Chase Hamilton(2) release downfield and Ryheem Walker(10) readies to block.

Quarterback Marvin Cox(3) drops back to pass, Kelvin Joffre(80) and Chase Hamilton(2) release downfield and Ryheem Walker(10) readies to block. (Barry Byers)

Image: Stat keeper Bailey Eubank finds a way to relax and stay dry while Jasenio Anderson peers at the numbers.

Stat keeper Bailey Eubank finds a way to relax and stay dry while Jasenio Anderson peers at the numbers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior drum line captain Gus Allen leads his crew off the field after a rousing halftime display by the Gladiator Regiment Band.

Senior drum line captain Gus Allen leads his crew off the field after a rousing halftime display by the Gladiator Regiment Band. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Senior Chase Hamilton(2) gets comforted by senior tuba player Jonathan Davila after Italy’s state semifinal 41-8 loss to Stamford.

Gladiator Senior Chase Hamilton(2) gets comforted by senior tuba player Jonathan Davila after Italy’s state semifinal 41-8 loss to Stamford. (Barry Byers)

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