Gladiator Training School has begun as Italy’s grid-iron heroes prepare for war

Image: Gladiators get rolling on their 2014 season as quarterback Joe Celis hands off to Levi McBride who follows Hunter Merimon and Coby Jeffords into the hole during 2-a-day workouts.

Gladiators get rolling on their 2014 season as quarterback Joe Celis hands off to Levi McBride who follows Hunter Merimon and Coby Jeffords into the hole during 2-a-day workouts. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hunter Merimon takes the handoff with the offense working things out.

Hunter Merimon takes the handoff with the offense working things out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lineman coach Brandon Gansky talks shop with Tyler Vencill and his offensive lineman.

Lineman coach Brandon Gansky talks shop with Tyler Vencill and his offensive lineman. (Barry Byers)

Image: Aaron Pittmon is ready to add manpower to Italy’s offensive line.

Aaron Pittmon is ready to add manpower to Italy’s offensive line. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Escamilla is Gladiator thru and thru.

John Escamilla is Gladiator thru and thru. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Cody Boyd and his teammates are gunning for a district title in 2014.

Senior Cody Boyd and his teammates are gunning for a district title in 2014. (Barry Byers)

Image: Third-year center Kyle Fortenberry will be the cornerstone of Italy’s massive wall of offensive blockers.

Third-year center Kyle Fortenberry will be the cornerstone of Italy’s massive wall of offensive blockers. (Barry Byers)

Image: How committed are the Gladiators to making a statement in their new district? The answer is in the eyes.

How committed are the Gladiators to making a statement in their new district? The answer is in the eyes. (Barry Byers)

Image: Austin Crawford has a vision after tying a rope around his waist and dragging a tractor tire behind him as he ran this summer.

Austin Crawford has a vision after tying a rope around his waist and dragging a tractor tire behind him as he ran this summer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry loves being a part of Italy Gladiator Football.

Kyle Fortenberry loves being a part of Italy Gladiator Football. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers will anchor Italy’s defensive front and he is a senior on a mission!

John Byers will anchor Italy’s defensive front and he is a senior on a mission! (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshmen Kendrick Norwood and Tylan Wallace runs some offensive sets with Maypearl red for bonnets to entice Italy’s varsity Panther slayers.

Freshmen Kendrick Norwood and Tylan Wallace runs some offensive sets with Maypearl red for bonnets to entice Italy’s varsity Panther slayers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Hunter Merimon sees Maypearl red and freshman Garret Janek sees a problem with wearing red helmet covers.

Senior Hunter Merimon sees Maypearl red and freshman Garret Janek sees a problem with wearing red helmet covers. (Keith Davis, Jr.)

Image: Between the cones with assistant coach Bobby Campbell.

Between the cones with assistant coach Bobby Campbell. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride shows his ability while reaching a pass low and behind him during a route running drill.

Levi McBride shows his ability while reaching a pass low and behind him during a route running drill. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman, Garrett Janek pulls in a pass during a route running drill.

Freshman, Garrett Janek pulls in a pass during a route running drill. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Boyd looks ready to help carry the load for Italy’s passing attack.

Cody Boyd looks ready to help carry the load for Italy’s passing attack. (Barry Byers)

Image: Dylan McCasland stretches out in a ttempt to reel in a pass.

Dylan McCasland stretches out in a ttempt to reel in a pass. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor will be a weapon for Italy’s offense as a sure receiver and as a blocker downfield.

Ryan Connor will be a weapon for Italy’s offense as a sure receiver and as a blocker downfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hunter Ballard clamps down on a pass during a route running drill.

Hunter Ballard clamps down on a pass during a route running drill. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman Kyle Tindol, the son of head coach Charles Tindol, is determined to impress his coach.

Freshman Kyle Tindol, the son of head coach Charles Tindol, is determined to impress his coach. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coby Jeffords takes care of his quarterback Joe Celis during a water break.

Coby Jeffords takes care of his quarterback Joe Celis during a water break. (Barry Byers)

Image: And we will end this segment with an opponent haunting action shot of senior Colin Newman as he rumbles toward a district title.

And we will end this segment with an opponent haunting action shot of senior Colin Newman as he rumbles toward a district title. (Barry Byers)

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