Italy comes to a Crossroads but drives straight ahead for the district win

Image: Italy High School cheerleader Ashlyn Jacinto and water boy Clay Riddle are ready for the district battle between the Gladiators and the Crossroads Bobcats.

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)

Image: Stat girls Jaclynn Lewis and Hannah Washington are happy to be Gladiators!

Stat girls Jaclynn Lewis and Hannah Washington are happy to be Gladiators! (Barry Byers)

Image: Two of Italy’s 12 seniors in Kevin Roldan(77) and Zain Byers(50) lead the Gladiators onto the field and into a district battle with Crossroads.

Two of Italy’s 12 seniors in Kevin Roldan(77) and Zain Byers(50) lead the Gladiators onto the field and into a district battle with Crossroads. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Kyle Fortenberry(66), Tyler Anderson(36) and Clayton Miller(6) take the field to start the game against Crossroads.

Gladiators Kyle Fortenberry(66), Tyler Anderson(36) and Clayton Miller(6) take the field to start the game against Crossroads. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy moves up its JV players to help the varsity players take on Crossroads.

Italy moves up its JV players to help the varsity players take on Crossroads. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator captains Trevon Robertson(8), Darol Mayberry(58) and Tyler Anderson(36) wish the Bobcat captains the best of luck.

Gladiator captains Trevon Robertson(8), Darol Mayberry(58) and Tyler Anderson(36) wish the Bobcat captains the best of luck. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10) hands off to sophomore Hunter Merimon(9) often with O-Linemen Cody Medrano(75) and Kyle Fortenberry(66) leading the way on this play.

Gladiator quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10) hands off to sophomore Hunter Merimon(9) often with O-Linemen Cody Medrano(75) and Kyle Fortenberry(66) leading the way on this play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy fullback Shadrach Newman(25) plows over a Bobcat tackler in the mud.

Italy fullback Shadrach Newman(25) plows over a Bobcat tackler in the mud. (Barry Byers)

Image: TaMarcus Sheppard(10) fights for extra yards against the Bobcat defense.

TaMarcus Sheppard(10) fights for extra yards against the Bobcat defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy proud is Jill Varner!!!

Italy proud is Jill Varner!!! (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiator Regiment Marching Band and Color Guard begin their halftime performance.

The Gladiator Regiment Marching Band and Color Guard begin their halftime performance. (Barry Byers)

Image: The drum line gets into position as Alex Minton, Whitney Wholaver, Brenya Williams, Noah Ramirez, Tristan Smithwick and Austin Crawford set the tone.

The drum line gets into position as Alex Minton, Whitney Wholaver, Brenya Williams, Noah Ramirez, Tristan Smithwick and Austin Crawford set the tone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jorge Galvan on trombone.

Jorge Galvan on trombone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheerleader Kelsey Nelson multitasks on the trombone.

Cheerleader Kelsey Nelson multitasks on the trombone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Christy Murray on clarinet.

Christy Murray on clarinet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Color guard member Jennifer McDaniel keeps on smiling.

Color guard member Jennifer McDaniel keeps on smiling. (Barry Byers)

Image: Michael Moore plays the sax.

Michael Moore plays the sax. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Coby Bland(44) gains a few yards before being wrapped up by several Bobcat defenders.

Italy’s Coby Bland(44) gains a few yards before being wrapped up by several Bobcat defenders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coby Bland(44) and Trevon Robertson(8) lead Hunter Merimon(9) down the field during 1 of his 31 carries on the night.

Coby Bland(44) and Trevon Robertson(8) lead Hunter Merimon(9) down the field during 1 of his 31 carries on the night. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator back Coby Bland(44) maneuvers for yards behind a block by Hunter Merimon(9).

Gladiator back Coby Bland(44) maneuvers for yards behind a block by Hunter Merimon(9). (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(50) brings down a Bobcat running back.

Zain Byers(50) brings down a Bobcat running back. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry(66) knows a win is a win especially on a sloppy field.

Kyle Fortenberry(66) knows a win is a win especially on a sloppy field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ty WIndham(48) chats with his father, Joe Windham(Old # 63) after the game.

Ty WIndham(48) chats with his father, Joe Windham(Old # 63) after the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore Hunter Merimon(9) delivers on offense for the Gladiators against Crossroads with 275 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns and 23 receiving yards.

Sophomore Hunter Merimon(9) delivers on offense for the Gladiators against Crossroads with 275 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns and 23 receiving yards. (Barry Byers)

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