The Italy Gladiators turned muddogs to defeat the Kerens Bobcats for the title

Image: Senior receiver Trevon Robertson(3) eludes Bobcat tacklers on his way to a 32 yard gain against Kerens to help the Italy Gladiators route the Bobcats 33-7. Robertson contributed 163 all-purpose yards to the Gladiator cause to earn his team’s game MVP honor.

Senior receiver Trevon Robertson(3) eludes Bobcat tacklers on his way to a 32 yard gain against Kerens to help the Italy Gladiators route the Bobcats 33-7. Robertson contributed 163 all-purpose yards to the Gladiator cause to earn his team’s game MVP honor. (Barry Byers)

Image: End Zain Byers(50) causes the ball to pop out during this tackle for a loss as teammate Bailey Walton(54) goes after the ball.

End Zain Byers(50) causes the ball to pop out during this tackle for a loss as teammate Bailey Walton(54) goes after the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Blockers Coby Bland(40) and Darol Mayberry(58) show teammate TaMarcus Sheppard(10) the way to the end zone.

Blockers Coby Bland(40) and Darol Mayberry(58) show teammate TaMarcus Sheppard(10) the way to the end zone. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV offensive tackle Austin Pittmon(64) introduces himself to a Kerens varsity defender.

JV offensive tackle Austin Pittmon(64) introduces himself to a Kerens varsity defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior center Kyle Fortenberry(66) deserves some water….and maybe some soap.

Junior center Kyle Fortenberry(66) deserves some water….and maybe some soap. (Barry Byers)

Image: With stuff growing off of him in the second-half, senior defensive end Zain Byers(50) alerts his team to a possible screen play which forces Kerens to call a timeout.

With stuff growing off of him in the second-half, senior defensive end Zain Byers(50) alerts his team to a possible screen play which forces Kerens to call a timeout. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Medrano(75) kicks out a Bobcat defenseman allowing TaMarcus Sheppard(10) to cut underneath the block.

Cody Medrano(75) kicks out a Bobcat defenseman allowing TaMarcus Sheppard(10) to cut underneath the block. (Barry Byers)

Image: Darol Mayberry(58) has been relentlessly driving defenders backwards all season and opens another hug hole on this play.

Darol Mayberry(58) has been relentlessly driving defenders backwards all season and opens another hug hole on this play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Tindol, Hunter Wood, Hunter Morgan, Byron Lusk, Jr., and Anthony Lusk add some musical spice to the on-field slaughter.

Kyle Tindol, Hunter Wood, Hunter Morgan, Byron Lusk, Jr., and Anthony Lusk add some musical spice to the on-field slaughter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Band members Anthony Lusk, Kirby Nelson, Kristen Viator and Noah Ramirez are enjoying the sounds of victory!

Band members Anthony Lusk, Kirby Nelson, Kristen Viator and Noah Ramirez are enjoying the sounds of victory! (Barry Byers)

Image: Gus? Band alumni Gus Allen joins the bashing of the Bobcats.

Gus? Band alumni Gus Allen joins the bashing of the Bobcats. (Barry Byers)

Image: Team videographer Clay Riddle stays focused on the game.

Team videographer Clay Riddle stays focused on the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore Ryan Connor(7) makes an over-the-shoulder interception to give Italy back the ball. The pick was Connor’s third INT this season.

Sophomore Ryan Connor(7) makes an over-the-shoulder interception to give Italy back the ball. The pick was Connor’s third INT this season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Only senior Bailey Walton(54) could make this much mud look this good.

Only senior Bailey Walton(54) could make this much mud look this good. (Barry Byers)

Image: Center Kyle Fortenberry(66) was spot-on snapping under muddy conditions as quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10) calls for the ball.

Center Kyle Fortenberry(66) was spot-on snapping under muddy conditions as quarterback TaMarcus Sheppard(10) calls for the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alex Minton keeps the beat of champions pumping strong.

Alex Minton keeps the beat of champions pumping strong. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior backup quarterback/running back Tyler Anderson(11) tries to fight off a pair of Bobcat tacklers.

Senior backup quarterback/running back Tyler Anderson(11) tries to fight off a pair of Bobcat tacklers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Justin Wood(4) and Coby Bland(40) make the most of a messy situation to help Italy earn another golden football.

Gladiators Justin Wood(4) and Coby Bland(40) make the most of a messy situation to help Italy earn another golden football. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator senior defensive end Bailey Walton(54) nearly scores a safety but has to settle for forcing an incomplete pass.

Gladiator senior defensive end Bailey Walton(54) nearly scores a safety but has to settle for forcing an incomplete pass. (Barry Byers)

Image: TaMarcus Sheppard(10) spins out while trying to steer clear of Bobcat tacklers.

TaMarcus Sheppard(10) spins out while trying to steer clear of Bobcat tacklers. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator David De La Hoya(77) steps up and then rips down a Bobcat runner in the backfield.

JV Gladiator David De La Hoya(77) steps up and then rips down a Bobcat runner in the backfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Head coach Charles Tindol congratulates Shad Newman(25), Coby Bland(40) and Trevon Robertson(3).

Head coach Charles Tindol congratulates Shad Newman(25), Coby Bland(40) and Trevon Robertson(3). (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior cheerleader Taylor Turner is happy, happy, happy!

Senior cheerleader Taylor Turner is happy, happy, happy! (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Fabian Cortez(36) gets his first look at varsity action…if only he could see. Cortez finished with 2 tackles and a mask full of mud to end the game.

JV Gladiator Fabian Cortez(36) gets his first look at varsity action…if only he could see. Cortez finished with 2 tackles and a mask full of mud to end the game. (Barry Byers)

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