Gladiators fight thru injuries but Hico hands Italy fourth loss in a row

Image: Gladiator senior captains Darol Mayberry(58), TaMarcus Sheppard(10) and Kevin Roldan(60) are eager for the results of the coin toss with the Hico Tigers in town.

Gladiator senior captains Darol Mayberry(58), TaMarcus Sheppard(10) and Kevin Roldan(60) are eager for the results of the coin toss with the Hico Tigers in town. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan(60), Darol Mayberry(58) and Zain Byers(50) charge out of the tunnel hunting for Tigers.

Kevin Roldan(60), Darol Mayberry(58) and Zain Byers(50) charge out of the tunnel hunting for Tigers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cody Boyd(15) makes a touchdown saving tackle to open the game against Hico.

Italy’s Cody Boyd(15) makes a touchdown saving tackle to open the game against Hico. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s TaMarcus Sheppard(10) finds running room down Italy’s sideline.

Italy’s TaMarcus Sheppard(10) finds running room down Italy’s sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tre Robertson(3) makes a dazzling catch to put Italy into scoring position inside the Tiger 5-yard line.

Tre Robertson(3) makes a dazzling catch to put Italy into scoring position inside the Tiger 5-yard line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Defensive lineman Darol Mayberry(58) overcomes a cut block to make a helmet to football tackle on a Hico runner.

Defensive lineman Darol Mayberry(58) overcomes a cut block to make a helmet to football tackle on a Hico runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Clayton Miller(6) and Kyle Fortenberry(66) converge on a Hico back.

Italy’s Clayton Miller(6) and Kyle Fortenberry(66) converge on a Hico back. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(50) comes out of the pile with his second fumble recovery of the game for the Gladiator defense.

Zain Byers(50) comes out of the pile with his second fumble recovery of the game for the Gladiator defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy linebacker TaMarcus Sheppard(10) breaks up a Tiger pass attempt.

Italy linebacker TaMarcus Sheppard(10) breaks up a Tiger pass attempt. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleader K’Breona Davis helps lead the cheers for the Gladiators.

Italy High School cheerleader K’Breona Davis helps lead the cheers for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tre Robertson(3) tries to elude a Hico defender after catching a pass.

Tre Robertson(3) tries to elude a Hico defender after catching a pass. (Barry Byers)

Image: Color guard captain Anna Riddle creates her on version of a wave during the halftime performance by the Gladiator Regiment Marching Band.

Color guard captain Anna Riddle creates her on version of a wave during the halftime performance by the Gladiator Regiment Marching Band. (Barry Byers)

Image: Reagan Adams and Lorena Rodriguez entertain the Gladiator faithful during halftime.

Reagan Adams and Lorena Rodriguez entertain the Gladiator faithful during halftime. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Gladiator head coach Charles Tindol settles in for the second-half.

Italy Gladiator head coach Charles Tindol settles in for the second-half. (Barry Byers)

Image: Skill back TaMarcus Sheppard(10) explodes past Hico tacklers.

Skill back TaMarcus Sheppard(10) explodes past Hico tacklers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy safety Tre Robertson(3) breaks up a Hico pass attempt.

Italy safety Tre Robertson(3) breaks up a Hico pass attempt. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cody Medrano(75) and Zain Byers(50) team up to bring down a Hico Tiger with Kevin Roldan(60) and Darol Mayberry(58) in pursuit.

Italy’s Cody Medrano(75) and Zain Byers(50) team up to bring down a Hico Tiger with Kevin Roldan(60) and Darol Mayberry(58) in pursuit. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Medrano(75) makes another tackle for the Gladiator defense.

Cody Medrano(75) makes another tackle for the Gladiator defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tre Robertson(3), Ryan Connor(21), Justin Wood(4) and John Byers(56) keep Hico from reaching the goal line.

Tre Robertson(3), Ryan Connor(21), Justin Wood(4) and John Byers(56) keep Hico from reaching the goal line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hico dives in for a touchdown despite the best efforts from Gladiators’ John Byers(56), Bailey Walton(54), Kevin Roldan(60), Shad Newman(25) and Justin Wood(4).

Hico dives in for a touchdown despite the best efforts from Gladiators’ John Byers(56), Bailey Walton(54), Kevin Roldan(60), Shad Newman(25) and Justin Wood(4). (Barry Byers)

Image: TaMarcus Sheppard(10) flings a pass into the flat with Justin Wood(4) ensuring Sheppard’s safety.

TaMarcus Sheppard(10) flings a pass into the flat with Justin Wood(4) ensuring Sheppard’s safety. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy defenders Shad Newman(25) and Kevin Roldan(60) combine for a stop in the middle of the field.

Italy defenders Shad Newman(25) and Kevin Roldan(60) combine for a stop in the middle of the field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy fullback Shad Newman(25) fights his way thru hopeful Hico tacklers.

Italy fullback Shad Newman(25) fights his way thru hopeful Hico tacklers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Helping Italy to end the night on a positive note is senior receiver Tre Robertson(3) who makes another outstanding catch, this time for 6 points.

Helping Italy to end the night on a positive note is senior receiver Tre Robertson(3) who makes another outstanding catch, this time for 6 points. (Barry Byers)

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