Gladiators hold off late surge by Maypearl to win opener 13-7 in a thriller

Image: During the Italy vs. Maypearl pep rally, the Hunger Games pitted teacher against teacher with Morgan Mathews winning as each contestant tried to out wardrobe the other using a limited selection.

During the Italy vs. Maypearl pep rally, the Hunger Games pitted teacher against teacher with Morgan Mathews winning as each contestant tried to out wardrobe the other using a limited selection. (Barry Byers)

Image: The 2013 Italy Lady Gladiator Volleyball Team enters the pep rally in style.

The 2013 Italy Lady Gladiator Volleyball Team enters the pep rally in style. (Barry Byers)

Image: We are, Italy! We are, Italy!!

We are, Italy! We are, Italy!! (Barry Byers)

Image: Stockard Smithwick and his band mates amp up the noise level during Friday’s pep rally in anticipation of Italy’s rivalry game against Maypearl.

Stockard Smithwick and his band mates amp up the noise level during Friday’s pep rally in anticipation of Italy’s rivalry game against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gary Wood and Jasenio Anderson are ready to make some noise!

Gary Wood and Jasenio Anderson are ready to make some noise! (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy HS Cheerleader Kelsey Nelson comes over to supervise Jasenio Anderson and Gary Wood on how to assemble the air tunnel.

Italy HS Cheerleader Kelsey Nelson comes over to supervise Jasenio Anderson and Gary Wood on how to assemble the air tunnel. (Barry Byers)

Image: Quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10) warms up the new throwing arm of the armor clad Gladiators.

Quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10) warms up the new throwing arm of the armor clad Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Reciever Trevon Robertson(2) pulls in a sideline pass during pre-game warmups and then does it again later during the game.

Reciever Trevon Robertson(2) pulls in a sideline pass during pre-game warmups and then does it again later during the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tre Robertson(3), Cody Boyd(15) and Cody Medrano(75) head into the field house to get their game faces on before taking on visiting Maypearl.

Tre Robertson(3), Cody Boyd(15) and Cody Medrano(75) head into the field house to get their game faces on before taking on visiting Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hunter Merimon(9) and Darol Mayberry(58) prepare for the Panthers with one last break before taking the field to start the 2013 campaign.

Hunter Merimon(9) and Darol Mayberry(58) prepare for the Panthers with one last break before taking the field to start the 2013 campaign. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(56), Zain Byers(50), Kevin Roldan(60) and Shad Newman(25) are Gladiators on and off the field and are ready to defend their town’s name, their teammates and their school’s honor.

John Byers(56), Zain Byers(50), Kevin Roldan(60) and Shad Newman(25) are Gladiators on and off the field and are ready to defend their town’s name, their teammates and their school’s honor. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Italy High School Cheerleaders are Paige Little, Kelsey Nelson, Ashlyn Jacinto, K’Breona Davis, Britney Chambers and Noelia Garcia.

The Italy High School Cheerleaders are Paige Little, Kelsey Nelson, Ashlyn Jacinto, K’Breona Davis, Britney Chambers and Noelia Garcia. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hannah, Reagan and Tia help form the spirit line.

Hannah, Reagan and Tia help form the spirit line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Offensive center Kyle Fortenberry(66) is ready to lead Italy to a victory over Maypearl.

Offensive center Kyle Fortenberry(66) is ready to lead Italy to a victory over Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator captains Kevin Roldan(60), Bailey Walton(54) and Zain Byers(50) are ready for a new day in Italy as the head ref tries to find his ceremonial coin missing in the grass.

Gladiator captains Kevin Roldan(60), Bailey Walton(54) and Zain Byers(50) are ready for a new day in Italy as the head ref tries to find his ceremonial coin missing in the grass. (Barry Byers)

Image: After Italy takes a 6-0 lead in the first quarter, Kyle Fortenberry(66) readies to snap to Tyler Anderson(11) who will be holding the ball for kicker Kevin Roldan(60) who is about to boot the extra point thru to give Italy an early 7-0 advantage.

After Italy takes a 6-0 lead in the first quarter, Kyle Fortenberry(66) readies to snap to Tyler Anderson(11) who will be holding the ball for kicker Kevin Roldan(60) who is about to boot the extra point thru to give Italy an early 7-0 advantage. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Firefighters Jackie Cate and Brad Chambers reset a dislocated finger for John Byers(56) who eventually returned to the middle of the Gladiator defense.

Italy Firefighters Jackie Cate and Brad Chambers reset a dislocated finger for John Byers(56) who eventually returned to the middle of the Gladiator defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Emily Stiles, Michael Moore, Zac Mercer and Lillie Perry show their school spirit!!!

Emily Stiles, Michael Moore, Zac Mercer and Lillie Perry show their school spirit!!! (Barry Byers)

Image: Injured again? John Byers(56) is forced back out of the game with a cut on his arm after returning for one play after having a dislocated finger reset. Assistant coach Larry Mayberry, Sr., acts as the cut man for the king’s of the world.

Injured again? John Byers(56) is forced back out of the game with a cut on his arm after returning for one play after having a dislocated finger reset. Assistant coach Larry Mayberry, Sr., acts as the cut man for the king’s of the world. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ty Hamilton and the Gladiator Regiment Marching Band entertain fans during halftime.

Ty Hamilton and the Gladiator Regiment Marching Band entertain fans during halftime. (Barry Byers)

Image: O-linemen Zain Byers(50) and Darol Mayberry(58) clear space for running back Hunter Merimon(9).

O-linemen Zain Byers(50) and Darol Mayberry(58) clear space for running back Hunter Merimon(9). (Barry Byers)

Image: Your 2013 Italy High School Cheerleaders are Kristian Weeks, Ashlyn Jacinto, Britney Chambers, mascot Noelia Garcia, Jessica Garcia, Kelsey Nelson, K’Breona Davis and Taylor Turner tanning under the Friday night lights.

Your 2013 Italy High School Cheerleaders are Kristian Weeks, Ashlyn Jacinto, Britney Chambers, mascot Noelia Garcia, Jessica Garcia, Kelsey Nelson, K’Breona Davis and Taylor Turner tanning under the Friday night lights. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator first-year head coach Charles Tindol prepares to send Levi McBride(1) in with a play as stat girl Bailey Eubank stays close to the action.

Gladiator first-year head coach Charles Tindol prepares to send Levi McBride(1) in with a play as stat girl Bailey Eubank stays close to the action. (Barry Byers)

Image: Band directors Jesus Perez and David Graves combined their Wonder Twin powers for the 2013 school year.

Band directors Jesus Perez and David Graves combined their Wonder Twin powers for the 2013 school year. (Barry Byers)

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