Gladiators and Bulldogs square off in scoreless duel

Image: Italy’s All-State senior defensive end Zain Byers(60) shows his versatility by making a tackle from behind on the slot receiver and holds Palmer to minimal gain on a quick-pass play the Bulldogs tried on the scrimmage’s opening play.

Italy’s All-State senior defensive end Zain Byers(60) shows his versatility by making a tackle from behind on the slot receiver and holds Palmer to minimal gain on a quick-pass play the Bulldogs tried on the scrimmage’s opening play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(60) locates a Palmer back to help bring the Bulldog runner down for consecutive tackles to start the matchup for the senior end.

Zain Byers(60) locates a Palmer back to help bring the Bulldog runner down for consecutive tackles to start the matchup for the senior end. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Levi McBride(3) intercepts a Palmer deep pass to help bring an end to Palmer’s first drive.

Gladiator Levi McBride(3) intercepts a Palmer deep pass to help bring an end to Palmer’s first drive. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator quarterback Tamarcus Sheppard(12) finds running room down the right hash mark against Palmer’s defense.

Gladiator quarterback Tamarcus Sheppard(12) finds running room down the right hash mark against Palmer’s defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rolling out is Italy senior QB Tamarcus Sheppard behind blocks from Cody Medrano(66), Kyle Fortenbrry(75), Zain Byers(60) and Kevin Roldan(50).

Rolling out is Italy senior QB Tamarcus Sheppard behind blocks from Cody Medrano(66), Kyle Fortenbrry(75), Zain Byers(60) and Kevin Roldan(50). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s senior defensive tackle Kevin Roldan(50) pursues a Palmer quarterback.

Italy’s senior defensive tackle Kevin Roldan(50) pursues a Palmer quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: Recording his first of two consecutive sacks is Italy junior John Byers(50).

Recording his first of two consecutive sacks is Italy junior John Byers(50). (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior guard Cody Medrano(66) opens a running lane for senior fullback Shad Newman as Italy begins matriculating the ball upfield.

Senior guard Cody Medrano(66) opens a running lane for senior fullback Shad Newman as Italy begins matriculating the ball upfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shad Newman(24) barrels over a Palmer defender to complete the run for a solid Italy gain. Ouch!

Shad Newman(24) barrels over a Palmer defender to complete the run for a solid Italy gain. Ouch! (Barry Byers)

Image: Backup quarterback Tyler Anderson(11), a senior, hands off to Shad Newman(24).

Backup quarterback Tyler Anderson(11), a senior, hands off to Shad Newman(24). (Barry Byers)

Image: The Lady Gladiator Stat Squad is back with Bailey Eubank, Hannah Washington and Jaclynn Lewis getting instructions from assistant coach Wayne Rowe.

The Lady Gladiator Stat Squad is back with Bailey Eubank, Hannah Washington and Jaclynn Lewis getting instructions from assistant coach Wayne Rowe. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator sophomore Hunter Merimon(2) pass protects for Tamarcus Sheppard(12).

Gladiator sophomore Hunter Merimon(2) pass protects for Tamarcus Sheppard(12). (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior Cody Boyd(11) makes the catch and then powers thru Palmer tacklers for more yards.

Junior Cody Boyd(11) makes the catch and then powers thru Palmer tacklers for more yards. (Barry Byers)

Image: This is the group that could be the difference maker for the Gladiators this season with junior center Kyle Fortenberry(75) being the man in the middle for Italy’s offensive line.

This is the group that could be the difference maker for the Gladiators this season with junior center Kyle Fortenberry(75) being the man in the middle for Italy’s offensive line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator senior defensive end, Bailey Walton(99), tries to make a tackle in the backfield on Palmer’s quarterback.

Gladiator senior defensive end, Bailey Walton(99), tries to make a tackle in the backfield on Palmer’s quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s inside tackle John Byers(52) tackles a Palmer runner with Safety Trevon Robertson(1) making sure.

Italy’s inside tackle John Byers(52) tackles a Palmer runner with Safety Trevon Robertson(1) making sure. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s outside linebacker Hunter Merimon(2) upends Palmer’s quarterback.

Italy’s outside linebacker Hunter Merimon(2) upends Palmer’s quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Tamarcus Sheppard(12), Trevon Robertson(1) and Cody Boyd(11) converge on a Palmer receiver.

Italy’s Tamarcus Sheppard(12), Trevon Robertson(1) and Cody Boyd(11) converge on a Palmer receiver. (Barry Byers)

Image: Inside linebacker Shad Newman(24) manages to beat the block and trip up a Palmer running back.

Inside linebacker Shad Newman(24) manages to beat the block and trip up a Palmer running back. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s safety Trevon Robertson(1) breaks up a Palmer pass attempt.

Italy’s safety Trevon Robertson(1) breaks up a Palmer pass attempt. (Barry Byers)

Image: Twisting out of a tackle and then reversing his field for one of the longest runs of the scrimmage is Gladiator quarterback Tamarcus Sheppard(12).

Twisting out of a tackle and then reversing his field for one of the longest runs of the scrimmage is Gladiator quarterback Tamarcus Sheppard(12). (Barry Byers)

Image: With a big time defensive play for Italy is cornerback Cody Boyd(11) who leaps high to break up a pass attempt near the end of the simulated quarter. Boyd did it again on the next play when he deflected a pass in the end zone.

With a big time defensive play for Italy is cornerback Cody Boyd(11) who leaps high to break up a pass attempt near the end of the simulated quarter. Boyd did it again on the next play when he deflected a pass in the end zone. (Barry Byers)

Image: There is that mighty tug mentioned in the article by tackle Kevin Roldan(60) who tracked down Palmer’s quarterback to help get him on the ground along with Bailey Walton(99) and bring a scoreless end to the scrimmage between Italy and Palmer.

There is that mighty tug mentioned in the article by tackle Kevin Roldan(60) who tracked down Palmer’s quarterback to help get him on the ground along with Bailey Walton(99) and bring a scoreless end to the scrimmage between Italy and Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rub some dirt on it! Zain Byers took a side trip to the Emergency Room after the scrimmage but will be ready to go Friday night at home against Maypearl for the season opener and will no doubt be smelling blood against the Panthers.

Rub some dirt on it! Zain Byers took a side trip to the Emergency Room after the scrimmage but will be ready to go Friday night at home against Maypearl for the season opener and will no doubt be smelling blood against the Panthers. (Barry Byers)

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