Dallas Gateway — First-half turnovers and struggling to adjust to the overall team speed of the Gateway Gators left the favored Italy Gladiators facing a 17-point deficit going into halftime.

“It was a bit surprising to see our players so calm at halftime but there was no finger pointing or any of that mess. They were just calmly discussing the situation amongst themselves with Zain Byers (a senior) speaking to the entire team in an very even-keeled voice,” commented assistant coach Wayne Rowe in regards to the atmosphere inside the Gladiator locker room at halftime.

Defensive tackle John Byers, who had to sit this game out with an injury, added, “I felt helpless watching from the sideline not being able to help. The mood in the locker room was very relaxed. I think it was because we all had confidence that we were going to win the game.” John Byers is expected to suit up against Kerens this coming Friday but will be used as a backup and only if needed.

Defensively, Italy became very stubborn in the second-half to pressure Gateway into punting situations. Ends Bailey Walton and Zain Byers began forcing Gateway’s run game to turn it up inside where they had help. The Gators had some success up the middle but, for the most part, were unable to sustain drives and drain time off the clock, although the Gateway clock-keeper was certainly doing his part.

A third-quarter touchdown run by Justin Wood and two TD completions from quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard to sophomore receiver Levi McBride, with the second connection coming with 0:58 remaining, did the trick. The clock keeper’s strategy backfired on the Gators who required more time to travel the length of the field and score the must have touchdown after falling behind by four.

Overall, with the noise level from the fans was intense, Gladiator head coach Charles Tindol was steady and patient throughout, which set the tone for Italy’s players and their second-half heroics.

Go Italy!

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