Gladiators control first half but Jags outlast Italy for the win

Image: When the QB speaks, teammates listen: Italy Gladiator senior quarterback Tyler Anderson(11) relays the play into the huddle with Italy’s offense looking for answers in the second half against Hubbard.

When the QB speaks, teammates listen: Italy Gladiator senior quarterback Tyler Anderson(11) relays the play into the huddle with Italy’s offense looking for answers in the second half against Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiators break the huddle in the first half the “Mud Bowl” game, hoping to break Hubbard’s spirit.

The Gladiators break the huddle in the first half the “Mud Bowl” game, hoping to break Hubbard’s spirit. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Italy High School cheerleaders make rain.

The Italy High School cheerleaders make rain. (Barry Byers)

Image: Left tackle Darol Mayberry(58) and left guard Cody Medrano(75) try to help get Italy’s passing game going.

Left tackle Darol Mayberry(58) and left guard Cody Medrano(75) try to help get Italy’s passing game going. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Anderson(10) hands off to TaMarcus Sheppard(10) who follows Hunter Merimon(9) around the right side of Hubbard’s defense.

Tyler Anderson(10) hands off to TaMarcus Sheppard(10) who follows Hunter Merimon(9) around the right side of Hubbard’s defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiators poured it on during the first half of the “Mud Bowl” as seniors’ Trevon Robertson(3) and Darol Mayberry(58) try to pump up their teammates during a brief rest on Italy’s sideline.

The Gladiators poured it on during the first half of the “Mud Bowl” as seniors’ Trevon Robertson(3) and Darol Mayberry(58) try to pump up their teammates during a brief rest on Italy’s sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaclynn Lewis poses with classmate John Byers(56) during the “Mud Bowl” game.

Jaclynn Lewis poses with classmate John Byers(56) during the “Mud Bowl” game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alumni Gladiator Jackie Cate offers some old school advice to inside linebacker Shad Newman(25).

Alumni Gladiator Jackie Cate offers some old school advice to inside linebacker Shad Newman(25). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s TaMarcus Sheppard(10) plows his way forward in the mud with help from tackle Kevin Roldan(60).

Italy’s TaMarcus Sheppard(10) plows his way forward in the mud with help from tackle Kevin Roldan(60). (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator head coach Charles Tindol huddles with his offense before halftime.

Gladiator head coach Charles Tindol huddles with his offense before halftime. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan(60), John Byers (56) and Zain Byers(50) try to put a little pressure on Hubbard’s quarterback to force an incomplete pass.

Kevin Roldan(60), John Byers (56) and Zain Byers(50) try to put a little pressure on Hubbard’s quarterback to force an incomplete pass. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Nation’s spirit was not dampened by the weather.

Gladiator Nation’s spirit was not dampened by the weather. (Barry Byers)

Image: There they are! Stat Squad girls Bailey Eubank and Jaclynn Lewis stay warm while staying on top of the game stats.

There they are! Stat Squad girls Bailey Eubank and Jaclynn Lewis stay warm while staying on top of the game stats. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy senior Justin Wood(4) awaits the kickoff from Hubbard late in the game.

Italy senior Justin Wood(4) awaits the kickoff from Hubbard late in the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Boyd(15), Zain Byers(50) and Darol Mayberry(58) are covered with “Mud Bowl.”

Cody Boyd(15), Zain Byers(50) and Darol Mayberry(58) are covered with “Mud Bowl.” (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore safety/receiver Ryan Connor(21) played like a senior Friday night against Hubbard.

Sophomore safety/receiver Ryan Connor(21) played like a senior Friday night against Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Trevon Robertson(3) pulls in a sideline pass late in the game and then steps out to stop the clock.

Italy’s Trevon Robertson(3) pulls in a sideline pass late in the game and then steps out to stop the clock. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy back TaMarcus Sheppard(10) gets dragged down to the ground during a muddy scrum.

Italy back TaMarcus Sheppard(10) gets dragged down to the ground during a muddy scrum. (Barry Byers)

Image: Displaying sportsmanship, several Hubbard players walk over to congratulate injured Gladiator John Escamilla(12) and wish him well with Hubbard being affected by the injury bug themselves.

Displaying sportsmanship, several Hubbard players walk over to congratulate injured Gladiator John Escamilla(12) and wish him well with Hubbard being affected by the injury bug themselves. (Barry Byers)

Image: Back to front: Tre Robertson(3), Darol Mayberry(58), Shad Newman(25), Colin Newman(76) and Cody Medrano(75).

Back to front: Tre Robertson(3), Darol Mayberry(58), Shad Newman(25), Colin Newman(76) and Cody Medrano(75). (Barry Byers)

Image: Ray Salas(6), Trevon Robertson, Darol Mayberry(58) and the rest of their Gladiator teammates remain committed to their goals.

Ray Salas(6), Trevon Robertson, Darol Mayberry(58) and the rest of their Gladiator teammates remain committed to their goals. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1), Reagan Cockerham, Halee Turner and Hunter Merimon(9) are happy with their team’s performance Friday night against Hubbard.

Levi McBride(1), Reagan Cockerham, Halee Turner and Hunter Merimon(9) are happy with their team’s performance Friday night against Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry(66), with mother, Robbie.

Kyle Fortenberry(66), with mother, Robbie. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gold Standard: Italy Gladiator senior quarterback Tyler Anderson(11).

The Gold Standard: Italy Gladiator senior quarterback Tyler Anderson(11). (Barry Byers)

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