Italy’s Junior High and JV teams both win their district openers against Itasca

Image: Italy Junior High Gladiator Jonathan Salas(22) kicks off to the Itasca Wampus Cats to begin district play as teammates Byron Lusk, Jr.,(24) and Alex Garcia(75) head upfield to make the tackle.

Italy Junior High Gladiator Jonathan Salas(22) kicks off to the Itasca Wampus Cats to begin district play as teammates Byron Lusk, Jr.,(24) and Alex Garcia(75) head upfield to make the tackle. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kendrick Norwood(20) eludes Wampus Cat tacklers on his way to the endzone.

Kendrick Norwood(20) eludes Wampus Cat tacklers on his way to the endzone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheerleader Hannah Haight is read for Italy’s district opener against Itasca.

Cheerleader Hannah Haight is read for Italy’s district opener against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: During the Junior High game, quarterback Tylan Wallace(10) darts a quick pass on the numbers to Kyle Tindol(25) to get Italy’s passing game rolling against Itasca.

During the Junior High game, quarterback Tylan Wallace(10) darts a quick pass on the numbers to Kyle Tindol(25) to get Italy’s passing game rolling against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Stuffed! Is it Thanksgiving already?

Stuffed! Is it Thanksgiving already? (Barry Byers)

Image: Hunter Morgan(64) hurries Itasca’s quarterback to force an incomplete pass.

Hunter Morgan(64) hurries Itasca’s quarterback to force an incomplete pass. (Barry Byers)

Image: Defensive end Clay Riddle(60) recovers a fumble for the Italy Junior High team.

Defensive end Clay Riddle(60) recovers a fumble for the Italy Junior High team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Caden Brewer(30) intercepts a pass attempt by Itasca.

Italy’s Caden Brewer(30) intercepts a pass attempt by Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Tindol(25) scoots into the end zone after a devastating downfield block by teammate Gary Escamilla(7).

Kyle Tindol(25) scoots into the end zone after a devastating downfield block by teammate Gary Escamilla(7). (Barry Byers)

Image: Clay Riddle(60) comes off the edge to hit Itasca’s quarterback as the Wampus Cat releases the pass, forcing an interception…

Clay Riddle(60) comes off the edge to hit Itasca’s quarterback as the Wampus Cat releases the pass, forcing an interception… (Barry Byers)

Image: …Linebacker Anthony Lusk(72) intercepts the pass and then gets attacked by the Cats.

…Linebacker Anthony Lusk(72) intercepts the pass and then gets attacked by the Cats. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cason Roberts(51) and his o-line buds handle Itasca at the line-of-scrimmage.

Cason Roberts(51) and his o-line buds handle Itasca at the line-of-scrimmage. (Barry Byers)

Image: Center Clay Riddle(60) leads the offensive line charge for the Junior High Gladiators. Their backs are straight and their eyes are up—that’s how you get the job done.

Center Clay Riddle(60) leads the offensive line charge for the Junior High Gladiators. Their backs are straight and their eyes are up—that’s how you get the job done. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tylan Wallace(10) turns a busted play into lengthy ground gainer before Itasca’s safeties can finally get him on the ground.

Tylan Wallace(10) turns a busted play into lengthy ground gainer before Itasca’s safeties can finally get him on the ground. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ella and the boys: Ella Hudson has her hands full with her Gladiator fanatics, Trip and Brady, who do not seem like they could pat a Wampus Cat gently….not at all.

Ella and the boys: Ella Hudson has her hands full with her Gladiator fanatics, Trip and Brady, who do not seem like they could pat a Wampus Cat gently….not at all. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chasston Wilson(9) shuts down a sweep try by Itasca.

Chasston Wilson(9) shuts down a sweep try by Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Aaaawwww! After the Junior High game, Gladiator Kyle Tindol(25) surprised cheerleader Kirby Nelson with this one question…

Aaaawwww! After the Junior High game, Gladiator Kyle Tindol(25) surprised cheerleader Kirby Nelson with this one question… (Barry Byers)

Image: Jorge Rodriguez(21) and Austin Pittmon help stop an Itasca runner in the Wampus Cat backfield.

Jorge Rodriguez(21) and Austin Pittmon help stop an Itasca runner in the Wampus Cat backfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV receiver Fabian Cortez(13) nearly makes a spectacular grab but Itasca knocks the ball out.

JV receiver Fabian Cortez(13) nearly makes a spectacular grab but Itasca knocks the ball out. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(63), punts the ball to Itasca.

JV Gladiator Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(63), punts the ball to Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy defensive tackle Aaron Pittmon(71) tackles the entire Wampus Cat backfield.

Italy defensive tackle Aaron Pittmon(71) tackles the entire Wampus Cat backfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sparking Italy’s JV offense is Colton Grant(40) who gets the edge and then motors down Italy’s sideline.

Sparking Italy’s JV offense is Colton Grant(40) who gets the edge and then motors down Italy’s sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Dylan McCasland(3), blocks his man as quarterback, Joe Celis(2), gives his running back, Eli Garcia(32), a nudge into the endzone, putting Italy on the board first, 6-0.

Dylan McCasland(3), blocks his man as quarterback, Joe Celis(2), gives his running back, Eli Garcia(32), a nudge into the endzone, putting Italy on the board first, 6-0. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fabian Cortez(13) rises for the pick to keep the Cats grounded.

Fabian Cortez(13) rises for the pick to keep the Cats grounded. (Barry Byers)

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