Italy comes to a Crossroads but drives straight ahead for the district win
Italy High School cheerleader Ashlyn Jacinto and water boy Clay Riddle are ready for the district battle between the Gladiators and the Crossroads Bobcats. (Barry Byers)
Crossroads — Italy plowed ahead with running backs Hunter Merimon, Shad Newman, Coby Bland and quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard benefitting from a strong night from their war chariots up front with offensive tackles Darol Mayberry and Kevin Roldan, guards Zain Byers and Cody Medrano, and center Kyle Fortenberry (ole reliable) who created driving lanes thru Crossroads’ defense.
The Bobcat defense did mange a few turnovers early and some short yardage stops late, but the score was closer than it should have been thanks to a pair of fluke football plays turned by the Bobcats which generated two touchdowns in the first-half.
Italy’s defense had their moments, as well, starting with the front wall of Zain Byers, Bailey Walton, John Byers, Colin Newman and Darol Mayberry and then the linebacker corp of Shad Newman, Fortenberry, Coby Bland, Merimon and Sheppard. In the second-half, it was Italy’s secondary coverage that ultimately secured the win with Trevon Robertson, Ryan Connor and Cody Boyd helping the linebackers put an end to a desperate effort late by the Bobcat passing game.