Italy and Maypearl’s JV squads give it their all in rivalry game

Image: Italy newcomer Johnny Norris(7) gave a strong showing in his Gladiator debut. Although Norris was often surrounded by Panther tacklers, he displayed enough moves to prove that he makes a fine addition to the program.

Italy newcomer Johnny Norris(7) gave a strong showing in his Gladiator debut. Although Norris was often surrounded by Panther tacklers, he displayed enough moves to prove that he makes a fine addition to the program. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy JV quarterback Joe Celis(2) fights for a 1st down.

Italy JV quarterback Joe Celis(2) fights for a 1st down. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy offensive tackle Aaron Pittmon(71) gives his quarterback Joe Celis(2) time to throw a pass.

Italy offensive tackle Aaron Pittmon(71) gives his quarterback Joe Celis(2) time to throw a pass. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Clayton Miller(10) breaks up a Maypearl pass attempt,

Italy’s Clayton Miller(10) breaks up a Maypearl pass attempt, (Barry Byers)

Image: Joe Celis(2) nearly blocks a Panther punt but at least the play left Italy with good field position at Maypearl’s 20-yard line.

Joe Celis(2) nearly blocks a Panther punt but at least the play left Italy with good field position at Maypearl’s 20-yard line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kirby Nelson and Annie Perry get photobmbed by fellow cheerleaders Karley Nelson and Karson Holley.

Kirby Nelson and Annie Perry get photobmbed by fellow cheerleaders Karley Nelson and Karson Holley. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s JV center David De La Hoya(60) prepares to snap to quarterback Joe Celis(2).

Italy’s JV center David De La Hoya(60) prepares to snap to quarterback Joe Celis(2). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Maddison Galvan and Taylor Boyd take their cheer skills to another level.

Italy’s Maddison Galvan and Taylor Boyd take their cheer skills to another level.

Image: Italy’s Joe Celis(2) drags down a Panther ball carrier.

Italy’s Joe Celis(2) drags down a Panther ball carrier. (Barry Byers)

Image: Dylan McCasland(3) fields a shallow kickoff from Maypearl and then hurries forward.

Dylan McCasland(3) fields a shallow kickoff from Maypearl and then hurries forward. (Barry Byers)

Image: An army of Italy cheerleaders raise the noise level at Panther stadium.

An army of Italy cheerleaders raise the noise level at Panther stadium. (Barry Byers)

Image: Johnny Norris(7) finds daylight against the Panther defense.

Johnny Norris(7) finds daylight against the Panther defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eli Garcia(32) reaches back to make a catch for Italy.

Eli Garcia(32) reaches back to make a catch for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Offensive guard Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(63), hustles downfield to down a JV Gladiator punt by teammate David De La Hoya at Maypearl’s 1-yard line.

Offensive guard Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(63), hustles downfield to down a JV Gladiator punt by teammate David De La Hoya at Maypearl’s 1-yard line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Maypearl attempts a pass from their end zone but safety Johnny Norris(7) picks it off and then maneuvers his way into the end zone to put Italy on the board but still trailing the Panther’s 20-6.

Maypearl attempts a pass from their end zone but safety Johnny Norris(7) picks it off and then maneuvers his way into the end zone to put Italy on the board but still trailing the Panther’s 20-6. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hunter Ballard(30) makes a special teams tackle for Italy on the ensuing kickoff.

Hunter Ballard(30) makes a special teams tackle for Italy on the ensuing kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator mascot Tatum Adams and cheerleaders La’Jada Jackson, Hannah Haight and Keondra Jackson take advantage of a photo opportunity.

JV Gladiator mascot Tatum Adams and cheerleaders La’Jada Jackson, Hannah Haight and Keondra Jackson take advantage of a photo opportunity. (Barry Byers)

Image: Aaron Pittmon(71) breaks thru to stop a Maypearl runner for a loss in the backfield.

Aaron Pittmon(71) breaks thru to stop a Maypearl runner for a loss in the backfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy fumbles after a nice gain but Dylan McCasland(3) recovers the ball for his teammates and coaches.

Italy fumbles after a nice gain but Dylan McCasland(3) recovers the ball for his teammates and coaches. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clayton Miller(10) steps in at quarterback and completes a pass downfield for Italy with Kenneth Norwood, Jr.,(63) and Austin Crawford(56) pass blocking.

Clayton Miller(10) steps in at quarterback and completes a pass downfield for Italy with Kenneth Norwood, Jr.,(63) and Austin Crawford(56) pass blocking. (Barry Byers)

Image: Dylan McCasland(3) hauls in a pass from backup quarterback Clayton Miller.

Dylan McCasland(3) hauls in a pass from backup quarterback Clayton Miller. (Barry Byers)

Image: Back in at quarterback, Joe Celis(2) beats the Panther rush to complete a backwards pass to teammate Johnny Norris(7).

Back in at quarterback, Joe Celis(2) beats the Panther rush to complete a backwards pass to teammate Johnny Norris(7). (Barry Byers)

Image: The loss to Maypearl didn’t dampen our spirit! Go Italy!!

The loss to Maypearl didn’t dampen our spirit! Go Italy!! (Barry Byers)

Image: Karley Cam:)

Karley Cam:) (Barry Byers)

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