Additional scrimmage action from Italy’s 6 TD outing against Valley Mills

Image: Italy’s quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(8) prepares to test his new team against Valley Mills during Italy’s 1st scrimmage of 2013.

Italy’s quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(8) prepares to test his new team against Valley Mills during Italy’s 1st scrimmage of 2013. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Shad Newman(4) catches a pass and then splits two Eagle tacklers for extra yards.

Senior Gladiator Shad Newman(4) catches a pass and then splits two Eagle tacklers for extra yards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shad Newman(4) leads thru the hole for Coby Bland(44) who takes the handoff from quarterback Tamarcus Sheppard(8).

Shad Newman(4) leads thru the hole for Coby Bland(44) who takes the handoff from quarterback Tamarcus Sheppard(8). (Barry Byers)

Image: TaMarcus Sheppard(8) slips into the second level of the Eagle defense and then eludes tacklers for more yardage.

TaMarcus Sheppard(8) slips into the second level of the Eagle defense and then eludes tacklers for more yardage. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s defensive tackle John Byers(72) and his Gladiator teammates walk off victorious after the offense put up 6 touchdowns on Valley Mills while the defense held the Eagles scoreless.

Italy’s defensive tackle John Byers(72) and his Gladiator teammates walk off victorious after the offense put up 6 touchdowns on Valley Mills while the defense held the Eagles scoreless. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shad Newman(4), Zain Byers(50), Coby Bland(44) and TaMarcus Sheppard(8) settle in on defense against Valley Mills.

Shad Newman(4), Zain Byers(50), Coby Bland(44) and TaMarcus Sheppard(8) settle in on defense against Valley Mills. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(60) and Kevin Roldan(50) combine to halt the progress of the Eagle’s offense as Roldan brings the runner down.

Zain Byers(60) and Kevin Roldan(50) combine to halt the progress of the Eagle’s offense as Roldan brings the runner down. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Walton(99) grabs a foot while Levi McBride(3) and Coby Bland(44) tag an Eagle runner.

Bailey Walton(99) grabs a foot while Levi McBride(3) and Coby Bland(44) tag an Eagle runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy cornerback Cody Boyd(11) comes up to keep Valley Mills from turning in a big play.

Italy cornerback Cody Boyd(11) comes up to keep Valley Mills from turning in a big play. (Barry Byers)

Image: All alone is Trevon Robertson(1) who was left wide open to receive a touchdown pass from teammate TaMarcus Sheppard. Robertson had 2 touchdown receptions on the day.

All alone is Trevon Robertson(1) who was left wide open to receive a touchdown pass from teammate TaMarcus Sheppard. Robertson had 2 touchdown receptions on the day. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Hunter Merimon(25) sees the pylon and does his best to reach the end zone.

Italy’s Hunter Merimon(25) sees the pylon and does his best to reach the end zone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Ray Salas(6) pitches in on defense for the varsity.

Senior Gladiator Ray Salas(6) pitches in on defense for the varsity. (Barry Byers)

Image: TaMarcus Sheppard(8) thrives behind the blocking of Cody Medrano(66), Kyle Fortenberry(75), Bailey Walton(99) and Kevin Roldan(50).

TaMarcus Sheppard(8) thrives behind the blocking of Cody Medrano(66), Kyle Fortenberry(75), Bailey Walton(99) and Kevin Roldan(50). (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator assistant coach Wayne Rowe coaches up John Escamilla(10).

Gladiator assistant coach Wayne Rowe coaches up John Escamilla(10). (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Darol Mayberry(65) is rewarded with a drink after sacking the Valley Mills quarterback.

Senior Gladiator Darol Mayberry(65) is rewarded with a drink after sacking the Valley Mills quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Coby Bland(44) peers over the Eagle offensive line.

Italy’s Coby Bland(44) peers over the Eagle offensive line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Inside linebacker Coby Bland(44) finds the ball carrier.

Italy’s Inside linebacker Coby Bland(44) finds the ball carrier. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cody Medrano(66) reaches the Valley Mills quarterback.

Italy’s Cody Medrano(66) reaches the Valley Mills quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: Defensive tackle Kevin Roldan(60) closes in on the Valley Mills QB.

Defensive tackle Kevin Roldan(60) closes in on the Valley Mills QB. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy linebacker Shad Newman(4) reacts to the play with John Byers(72) staying low in the trenches and safety Trevon Robertson(1) backing them up.

Italy linebacker Shad Newman(4) reacts to the play with John Byers(72) staying low in the trenches and safety Trevon Robertson(1) backing them up. (Barry Byers)

Image: Desperate to score, Valley Mills tries a reverse pitch but All-State defensive end Zain Byers(60) shuts it down with help from Kevin Roldan(50) as the destructive duo drive the unfortunate Eagle back into the turf.

Desperate to score, Valley Mills tries a reverse pitch but All-State defensive end Zain Byers(60) shuts it down with help from Kevin Roldan(50) as the destructive duo drive the unfortunate Eagle back into the turf. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Rowe fires up the JV squad before their game.

Coach Rowe fires up the JV squad before their game. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator quarterback Joe Celis(9) has his choice of weapons out of Jorge Galvan(42) and Eli Garcia(34).

JV Gladiator quarterback Joe Celis(9) has his choice of weapons out of Jorge Galvan(42) and Eli Garcia(34). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s assistant coach, Wayne Rowe, tells his JV Gladiators to hoist their golden victory bonnets high because they not only carry their team on their shoulders, they carry their town.

Italy’s assistant coach, Wayne Rowe, tells his JV Gladiators to hoist their golden victory bonnets high because they not only carry their team on their shoulders, they carry their town. (Barry Byers)

Return to story