Itasca’s mascot is a mythical cat but Italy’s 46-6 win was no illusion

Image: Shad Newman(25), Kevin Roldan(60) and TaMarcus Sheppard(10) lead Italy into district battle against the Itasca Wampus Cats. — Shad Newman(25), Kevin Roldan(60) and TaMarcus Sheppard(10) lead Italy into district battle against the Itasca Wampus Cats. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gary Wood is horned and dangerous! — Gary Wood is horned and dangerous! (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiator Band settles in to start the game. — The Gladiator Band settles in to start the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheer captain Taylor Turner helps lead Italy onto the field. — Italy High School cheer captain Taylor Turner helps lead Italy onto the field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10) turns upfield to score his first of three touchdowns on the night. — Italy quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10) turns upfield to score his first of three touchdowns on the night. (Barry Byers)

Image: Darol Mayberry(58) signals touchdown as Italy quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10) follows his center Kyle Fortenberry(66) and lead back Shad Newman(25) in for a his first of 3 touchdowns during the game. — Darol Mayberry(58) signals touchdown as Italy quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10) follows his center Kyle Fortenberry(66) and lead back Shad Newman(25) in for a his first of 3 touchdowns during the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Defensive end Zain Byers(50) turns an Itasca ball carrier back inside where teammates Bailey Walton(54), John Byers(56) and Colin Newman(76) are waiting. — Defensive end Zain Byers(50) turns an Itasca ball carrier back inside where teammates Bailey Walton(54), John Byers(56) and Colin Newman(76) are waiting. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(50) sacks Itasca’s quarterback and jars the ball loose with his helmet. — Zain Byers(50) sacks Itasca’s quarterback and jars the ball loose with his helmet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cody Medrano(75) makes a special teams tackle during a kickoff. — Italy’s Cody Medrano(75) makes a special teams tackle during a kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Image: Linebacker Kyle Fortenberry(66) and safety Ryan Connor(21) collar a Wampus Cat. — Linebacker Kyle Fortenberry(66) and safety Ryan Connor(21) collar a Wampus Cat. (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior defensive tackle John Byers(56) brings down Itasca’s quarterback. — Junior defensive tackle John Byers(56) brings down Itasca’s quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hunter Merimon(9) puts the hurt on an Itasca receiver. — Hunter Merimon(9) puts the hurt on an Itasca receiver. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hunter Merimon(9) runs right for 7-yards against the Cats. Merimon finished with 85 yards rushing on 8 carries. — Hunter Merimon(9) runs right for 7-yards against the Cats. Merimon finished with 85 yards rushing on 8 carries. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Coby Bland(40) breaks for a 60-yard gain before being yanked down from behind by an Itasca defender. Surprisingly, there was no penalty for a “horse-collar” charged to the Cats. — Italy’s Coby Bland(40) breaks for a 60-yard gain before being yanked down from behind by an Itasca defender. Surprisingly, there was no penalty for a “horse-collar” charged to the Cats. (Barry Byers)

Pay back: Bland enforces his own brand of justice by slamming down a Cat angrily. Apparently, Cats don’t always land on their paws. (Barry Byers)

Image: Linebacker Shad Newman(25) nearly picks off a pass with Itasca threatening. — Linebacker Shad Newman(25) nearly picks off a pass with Itasca threatening. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hello! Zain Byers(50) greets a Cat runner for a loss in the backfield near Italy’s goal line. — Hello! Zain Byers(50) greets a Cat runner for a loss in the backfield near Italy’s goal line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coby Bland(40), Shad Newman(25) and TaMarcus Sheppard(10) foil a 2-point conversion try by Itasca. — Coby Bland(40), Shad Newman(25) and TaMarcus Sheppard(10) foil a 2-point conversion try by Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fullback Shad Newman(25) punishes Itasca’s defensive tacklers. — Fullback Shad Newman(25) punishes Itasca’s defensive tacklers. (Barry Byers)

Image: TaMarcus Sheppard(10) slips past tacklers to score his second touchdown of the game. — TaMarcus Sheppard(10) slips past tacklers to score his second touchdown of the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: From his defensive end position, Zain Byers(50) tackles Itasca’s receiver after a pass to the opposite side of the field only netted the Cats 3 yards. — From his defensive end position, Zain Byers(50) tackles Itasca’s receiver after a pass to the opposite side of the field only netted the Cats 3 yards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Trevon Robertson(3) eludes Cats pawing at his heels to turn a short pass into a 36 yard touchdown. — Italy’s Trevon Robertson(3) eludes Cats pawing at his heels to turn a short pass into a 36 yard touchdown. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan(60) boots thru a point-after kick with Tyler Anderson(11) holding. Roldan made 4-of-6 P.A.T.s for the Gladiators. — Kevin Roldan(60) boots thru a point-after kick with Tyler Anderson(11) holding. Roldan made 4-of-6 P.A.T.s for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Defensive end Bailey Walton(54) helps linebacker Coby Bland(40) secure a tackle for Italy. — Defensive end Bailey Walton(54) helps linebacker Coby Bland(40) secure a tackle for Italy. (Barry Byers)

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