Gladiators hold off Bobcats in 41-30 dogfight with Merimon rushing for 275 yards

Image: Italy Gladiator senior defensive end Zain Byers(50) tackles a Bobcat for a loss early in the first-half. Italy held off a late rally by Crossroads to win 41-30 and improve to 2-0 in district play.

Italy Gladiator senior defensive end Zain Byers(50) tackles a Bobcat for a loss early in the first-half. Italy held off a late rally by Crossroads to win 41-30 and improve to 2-0 in district play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy senior linebacker Cody Medrano(75) pulls down a Bobcat runner.

Italy senior linebacker Cody Medrano(75) pulls down a Bobcat runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberyy(66), Bailey Walton(52), Shad Newman(25) and Cody Medrano(75) trap a Bobcat on the loose.

Kyle Fortenberyy(66), Bailey Walton(52), Shad Newman(25) and Cody Medrano(75) trap a Bobcat on the loose. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colin Newman(76) hits him low and John Byers(56) hits him high as both Gladiator defensive tackles combine for a takedown.

Colin Newman(76) hits him low and John Byers(56) hits him high as both Gladiator defensive tackles combine for a takedown. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator fullback Shad Newman(25) keeps his balance for extra yardage.

Gladiator fullback Shad Newman(25) keeps his balance for extra yardage. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s cheerleaders entertain the Gladiator faithful with Britney Chambers topping off a stunt.

Italy’s cheerleaders entertain the Gladiator faithful with Britney Chambers topping off a stunt. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy sophomore Hunter Merimon(9) finishes off a solid run behind downfield blocking by Cody Boyd(88). Merimon earned his team’s Offensive MVP honors with 275 yards rushing on 31 carries.

Italy sophomore Hunter Merimon(9) finishes off a solid run behind downfield blocking by Cody Boyd(88). Merimon earned his team’s Offensive MVP honors with 275 yards rushing on 31 carries. (Barry Byers)

Image: TaMarcus Sheppard(9) gets a kick out block from tight end Levi McBride(85) as he follows backfield mate Hunter Merimon(9) thru the crease.

TaMarcus Sheppard(9) gets a kick out block from tight end Levi McBride(85) as he follows backfield mate Hunter Merimon(9) thru the crease. (Barry Byers)

Image: Play side end Zain Byers(50) and backside end Bailey Walton(52) force the Bobcat QB to throw an incomplete pass.

Play side end Zain Byers(50) and backside end Bailey Walton(52) force the Bobcat QB to throw an incomplete pass. (Barry Byers)

Image: Top Bobcat back, Raleigh Seilheimer(5), a senior, dives across the tip of the goal line for a 2-point conversion.

Top Bobcat back, Raleigh Seilheimer(5), a senior, dives across the tip of the goal line for a 2-point conversion. (Barry Byers)

Image: The face of Bobcat QB #8 Aaron Arden tells it all as senior safety Trevon Robertson(8) teams with junior tackle John Byers(56) who pops the ball out from behind.

The face of Bobcat QB #8 Aaron Arden tells it all as senior safety Trevon Robertson(8) teams with junior tackle John Byers(56) who pops the ball out from behind. (Barry Byers)

Image: GRB members Joe Mack Pitts, April Lusk and Ty Hamilton play their saxophones in the stands.

GRB members Joe Mack Pitts, April Lusk and Ty Hamilton play their saxophones in the stands. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Boyd(88) tackles the Bobcats for a loss who failed to execute the old hook-n-ladder play.

Cody Boyd(88) tackles the Bobcats for a loss who failed to execute the old hook-n-ladder play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy linebacker Shad Newman(25) makes an open-field tackle on a Bobcat ball carrier.

Italy linebacker Shad Newman(25) makes an open-field tackle on a Bobcat ball carrier. (Barry Byers)

Image: With Crossroads driving, linebacker Shad Newman(25) earned his team’s Defensive Player of the Game honor after picking off this pass to maintain Italy’s 34-30 advantage late in the fourth-quarter.

With Crossroads driving, linebacker Shad Newman(25) earned his team’s Defensive Player of the Game honor after picking off this pass to maintain Italy’s 34-30 advantage late in the fourth-quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eluding Bobcat tacklers is Gladiator quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10).

Eluding Bobcat tacklers is Gladiator quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10). (Barry Byers)

Image: Inside linebacker Kyle Fortenbery(66), a junior, makes the tackle for Italy.

Inside linebacker Kyle Fortenbery(66), a junior, makes the tackle for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shad Newman(25) makes a leg tackle to keep the Bobcat run game in check.

Shad Newman(25) makes a leg tackle to keep the Bobcat run game in check. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zac Mercer plays loud and proud for the Gladiator Regiment Marching Band and Color Guard during their dazzling halftime show.

Zac Mercer plays loud and proud for the Gladiator Regiment Marching Band and Color Guard during their dazzling halftime show. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Regiment Band director Jesus Perez enjoys watching Crossroads’ band perform at halftime.

Gladiator Regiment Band director Jesus Perez enjoys watching Crossroads’ band perform at halftime. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Nation is raring to go for the second-half.

Gladiator Nation is raring to go for the second-half. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy cornerback Ryan Connor(7) breaks up a Bobcat pass attempt off a double-reverse trick play late in the game.

Italy cornerback Ryan Connor(7) breaks up a Bobcat pass attempt off a double-reverse trick play late in the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Safety Trevon Robertson(8) bats down a desperation pass by the Bobcats.

Safety Trevon Robertson(8) bats down a desperation pass by the Bobcats. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiators take the field for the second-half with seniors Shad Newman(25), Bailey Walton(52) and Kevin Roldan(77) handling the flag duties.

The Gladiators take the field for the second-half with seniors Shad Newman(25), Bailey Walton(52) and Kevin Roldan(77) handling the flag duties. (Barry Byers)

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