The first half was dominated by Gateway but Italy rallies late for 28-24 win

Image: A key moment in the game and with Italy trailing 24-7, Gladiator defensive end Zain Byers(50) forces an interception while injuring the Gator quarterback with this rib shot just before halftime. The Gator QB returned but was tentative in the second-half, according to Byers. Gateway was unable to score again which allowed Italy to rally for a 28-24 win.

A key moment in the game and with Italy trailing 24-7, Gladiator defensive end Zain Byers(50) forces an interception while injuring the Gator quarterback with this rib shot just before halftime. The Gator QB returned but was tentative in the second-half, according to Byers. Gateway was unable to score again which allowed Italy to rally for a 28-24 win. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators’ Hunter Ballard(30) and Eli Garcia(36) during the playing of the anthem.

Gladiators’ Hunter Ballard(30) and Eli Garcia(36) during the playing of the anthem. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator QB TaMarcus Sheppard(10) sprints out looking for an open teammate.

Gladiator QB TaMarcus Sheppard(10) sprints out looking for an open teammate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator receiver Trevon Robertson(3) gives a Gateway defender the shimmy.

Gladiator receiver Trevon Robertson(3) gives a Gateway defender the shimmy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator QB TaMarcus Sheppard(10) runs into the end zone from 20-yards out to pull Italy within 1-point of Gateway, 8-7, in the first-quarter with teammates Trevon Robertson(3), Ryan Connor(7) and Levi McBride(1) ensuring his success.

Gladiator QB TaMarcus Sheppard(10) runs into the end zone from 20-yards out to pull Italy within 1-point of Gateway, 8-7, in the first-quarter with teammates Trevon Robertson(3), Ryan Connor(7) and Levi McBride(1) ensuring his success. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s fans are ready for the kickoff by Kevin Roldan after a much needed Gladiator touchdown.

Italy’s fans are ready for the kickoff by Kevin Roldan after a much needed Gladiator touchdown. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Coby Bland(40) trips up a Gator ball carrier trying to get out of the backfield with Zain Byers(50) and Bailey Walton(54) adding some finishing touches.

Italy’s Coby Bland(40) trips up a Gator ball carrier trying to get out of the backfield with Zain Byers(50) and Bailey Walton(54) adding some finishing touches. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior moment: Bailey Walton(54) offers a congratulatory hug to Zain Byers(50) after Byers sacks Gateway’s quarterback who was rolling out to pass.

Senior moment: Bailey Walton(54) offers a congratulatory hug to Zain Byers(50) after Byers sacks Gateway’s quarterback who was rolling out to pass. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s senior quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10) spots senior receiver Trevon Robertson open downfield in the first-half.

Italy’s senior quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10) spots senior receiver Trevon Robertson open downfield in the first-half. (Barry Byers)

Image: Making the catch and then fighting for additional yardage is Trevon Robertson(3) with teammate Levi McBride(1) trying to loosen the Gator grip.

Making the catch and then fighting for additional yardage is Trevon Robertson(3) with teammate Levi McBride(1) trying to loosen the Gator grip. (Barry Byers)

Image: TaMarcus Sheppard(10) turns not much into something as teammate Coby Bland(40) tries to clear the way.

TaMarcus Sheppard(10) turns not much into something as teammate Coby Bland(40) tries to clear the way. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coby Bland(40) and TaMarcus Sheppard(10) hunt down a Gator ball carrier.

Coby Bland(40) and TaMarcus Sheppard(10) hunt down a Gator ball carrier. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(7) catches a line driving kickoff above his head and then tucks the ball and runs to give Italy good field position.

Ryan Connor(7) catches a line driving kickoff above his head and then tucks the ball and runs to give Italy good field position. (Barry Byers)

Image: Darol Mayberry(58) and Shad Newman(25) protect quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10), all are seniors.

Darol Mayberry(58) and Shad Newman(25) protect quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10), all are seniors. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) searches for daylight behind blockers Shad Newman(25), Kevin Roldan(60) and Zain Byers(50).

Levi McBride(1) searches for daylight behind blockers Shad Newman(25), Kevin Roldan(60) and Zain Byers(50). (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore Gladiator Levi McBride(1) hauls in his first of two touchdown receptions in the fourth-quarter.

Sophomore Gladiator Levi McBride(1) hauls in his first of two touchdown receptions in the fourth-quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior holder Tyler Anderson(11) calls for the ball from center Kyle Fortenberry during a point-after kick attempt by Kevin Roldan. Italy kicked in 4-out of-4 P.A.T.s during the game to win by 4-points, 28-24. With Gateway trying to mount a last second drive, they couldn’t settle for field goal to tie but had to hope for a touchdown, thanks in large part to Anderson’s consistency. In fact, Anderson, Fortenberry and Roldan have been a perfect 10-of-10 over the past two games.

Senior holder Tyler Anderson(11) calls for the ball from center Kyle Fortenberry during a point-after kick attempt by Kevin Roldan. Italy kicked in 4-out of-4 P.A.T.s during the game to win by 4-points, 28-24. With Gateway trying to mount a last second drive, they couldn’t settle for field goal to tie but had to hope for a touchdown, thanks in large part to Anderson’s consistency. In fact, Anderson, Fortenberry and Roldan have been a perfect 10-of-10 over the past two games. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Vencill(65), Justin Wood(4) and Bailey Walton(54) close in on a Gator running back.

Tyler Vencill(65), Justin Wood(4) and Bailey Walton(54) close in on a Gator running back. (Barry Byers)

Image: A group of Gladiator linemen celebrate their team’s comeback heroics. Tyler “Diesel” Vencill(65), Kevin “The Toe” Roldan(60), Darol Mayberry(58), Zain “Zilla” Byers(50), Bailey Walton(54) and Colin Newman(76) were all part of Italy’s defensive line rotation.

A group of Gladiator linemen celebrate their team’s comeback heroics. Tyler “Diesel” Vencill(65), Kevin “The Toe” Roldan(60), Darol Mayberry(58), Zain “Zilla” Byers(50), Bailey Walton(54) and Colin Newman(76) were all part of Italy’s defensive line rotation. (Barry Byers)

Image: The conquering Gladiators!

The conquering Gladiators! (Barry Byers)

Image: Coby Bland(40), Ty Windham, Reagan Cockerham, Jozie Perkins and Ashlyn Jacinto celebrate Italy’s dramatic win over Gateway.

Coby Bland(40), Ty Windham, Reagan Cockerham, Jozie Perkins and Ashlyn Jacinto celebrate Italy’s dramatic win over Gateway. (Barry Byers)

Image: Stat Squad girl Hannah Washington congratulates Kevin Roldan(60) after the game.

Stat Squad girl Hannah Washington congratulates Kevin Roldan(60) after the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kenneth Norwood, Jr. (62), Hunter Ballard(30) and Colin Newman(76) show good sportsmanship after the game.

Kenneth Norwood, Jr. (62), Hunter Ballard(30) and Colin Newman(76) show good sportsmanship after the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Walton(54) and cheer captain Taylor Turner are a couple of happy seniors.

Bailey Walton(54) and cheer captain Taylor Turner are a couple of happy seniors. (Barry Byers)

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