The defending champs keep their title, the Gladiators K.O. Kerens 33-7

Image: Coby Bland(40) hits a Bobcat ball carrier low while teammate TaMarcus Sheppard(10) hits him high to help the Italy Gladiators deliver a knockout punch to visiting Kerens and claim the district title for the 3rd consecutive season.

Coby Bland(40) hits a Bobcat ball carrier low while teammate TaMarcus Sheppard(10) hits him high to help the Italy Gladiators deliver a knockout punch to visiting Kerens and claim the district title for the 3rd consecutive season. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Italy Gladiators take the field to start the district matchup against the Kerens Bobcats with this past Friday night marking the final home game at Willis Field for Italy’s seniors.

The Italy Gladiators take the field to start the district matchup against the Kerens Bobcats with this past Friday night marking the final home game at Willis Field for Italy’s seniors. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator senior captains Kevin Roldan(60), Cody Medrano(75), Justin Wood(4) and Tyler Anderson(11) take part in the pre-game coin toss.

Gladiator senior captains Kevin Roldan(60), Cody Medrano(75), Justin Wood(4) and Tyler Anderson(11) take part in the pre-game coin toss. (Barry Byers)

Image: The rest of the Gladiator lineup during the ceremonial pre-game coin toss.

The rest of the Gladiator lineup during the ceremonial pre-game coin toss. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colin Newman(76), Coby Bland(40) and Zain Byers(50) combine for a stop in the Bobcat backfield. Newman, a junior, stated after the contest, “I had the defensive game of my life!”

Colin Newman(76), Coby Bland(40) and Zain Byers(50) combine for a stop in the Bobcat backfield. Newman, a junior, stated after the contest, “I had the defensive game of my life!” (Barry Byers)

Image: Coby Bland(40), helps turn any district championship hopes of Kerens’ upside down.

Coby Bland(40), helps turn any district championship hopes of Kerens’ upside down. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior offensive lineman Cody Medrano(75) and Kyle Fortenberry(66) man handle the Bobcat defensive front.

Senior offensive lineman Cody Medrano(75) and Kyle Fortenberry(66) man handle the Bobcat defensive front. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fullback Shad Newman(25) leads the way for a leaping Coby Band(40) who has room to run with blocking help from Cody Boyd(15) and Kevin Roldan(60).

Fullback Shad Newman(25) leads the way for a leaping Coby Band(40) who has room to run with blocking help from Cody Boyd(15) and Kevin Roldan(60). (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior guard Zain Byers(50) hustles downfield to throw a block for junior tight end/receiver Cody Boyd(15) who reaches the first down marker.

Senior guard Zain Byers(50) hustles downfield to throw a block for junior tight end/receiver Cody Boyd(15) who reaches the first down marker. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cody Medrano(75) and Kevin Roldan(60) move Bobcat defenders.

Italy’s Cody Medrano(75) and Kevin Roldan(60) move Bobcat defenders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior linebacker Justin Wood(4) form tackles a Bobcat back.

Senior linebacker Justin Wood(4) form tackles a Bobcat back. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(50) tackles the Bobcat quarterback for a loss.

Zain Byers(50) tackles the Bobcat quarterback for a loss. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Coby Bland(40) sees the goal line and refuses to be tackled.

Gladiator Coby Bland(40) sees the goal line and refuses to be tackled. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Coby Bland(40) pounds his way across the goal line for a touchdown.

Italy’s Coby Bland(40) pounds his way across the goal line for a touchdown. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Cheerleaders Taylor Turner and Jessica Garcia dance their last home game away.

Senior Cheerleaders Taylor Turner and Jessica Garcia dance their last home game away. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coby Bland(40) goes for the strip while Cody Medrano(75) and several of their Gladiator teammates pull a Kerens running back backwards.

Coby Bland(40) goes for the strip while Cody Medrano(75) and several of their Gladiator teammates pull a Kerens running back backwards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cornerback Cody Boyd(15) intercepts a Bobcat pass attempt with teammate Trevon Robertson(3) hustling over to assist.

Cornerback Cody Boyd(15) intercepts a Bobcat pass attempt with teammate Trevon Robertson(3) hustling over to assist. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior kicking ace Kevin Roldan(60) toes a hard to handle kickoff that is recovered by teammate Cody Medrano(75).

Senior kicking ace Kevin Roldan(60) toes a hard to handle kickoff that is recovered by teammate Cody Medrano(75). (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior special teams extraordinaire Cody Medrano(75) recovers a Kevin Roldan(60) onside kick as Clayton Miller(6) and Coby Bland(40) signal Italy’s ball.

Senior special teams extraordinaire Cody Medrano(75) recovers a Kevin Roldan(60) onside kick as Clayton Miller(6) and Coby Bland(40) signal Italy’s ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy linebacker TaMarcus Sheppard(10) picks off a Bobcat pass and takes it to the field house for a touchdown! The play was the second pick-six for the Gladiator defense this season under defensive coordinator Brandon Ganske.

Italy linebacker TaMarcus Sheppard(10) picks off a Bobcat pass and takes it to the field house for a touchdown! The play was the second pick-six for the Gladiator defense this season under defensive coordinator Brandon Ganske. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator head coach Charles Tindol gets the ceremonial Gatorade bath from seniors Trevon Robertson, TaMarcus Sheppard and Darol Wayne Mayberry after Italy KOs Kerens 33-7 to win the championship outright with a 5-0 undefeated record in district.

Gladiator head coach Charles Tindol gets the ceremonial Gatorade bath from seniors Trevon Robertson, TaMarcus Sheppard and Darol Wayne Mayberry after Italy KOs Kerens 33-7 to win the championship outright with a 5-0 undefeated record in district. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore running back/linebacker Hunter Merimon(9) sat this game out but was in good company with Lady Gladiator Halee Turner. Merimon rushed for 275 yards in week 8 to help Italy defeat Crossroads.

Sophomore running back/linebacker Hunter Merimon(9) sat this game out but was in good company with Lady Gladiator Halee Turner. Merimon rushed for 275 yards in week 8 to help Italy defeat Crossroads.

Image: The Gladiator senior linemen Kevin Roldan(60), Zain BYers(50), Bailey Walton(54), Cody Medrano(75) and Darol Mayberry(58) pose with defensive coordinator Brandon Ganske and line coach Wayne Rowe with daughter Hannah Rowe showing her pride for the district champs.

The Gladiator senior linemen Kevin Roldan(60), Zain BYers(50), Bailey Walton(54), Cody Medrano(75) and Darol Mayberry(58) pose with defensive coordinator Brandon Ganske and line coach Wayne Rowe with daughter Hannah Rowe showing her pride for the district champs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Congratulations to the 2013 1A-1 Region II District 6 Champion Italy Gladiators who posted an undefeated 5-0 district record, are currently 6-4 overall with a first-round bye and are Bi-District Championship as well!!!

Congratulations to the 2013 1A-1 Region II District 6 Champion Italy Gladiators who posted an undefeated 5-0 district record, are currently 6-4 overall with a first-round bye and are Bi-District Championship as well!!! (Barry Byers)

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