Italy clashes with Valley Mills in a physical grid-iron scrimmage

Image: Italy Gladiator linebacker Coby Jeffords fills the gap to bring down a Valley Mills Eagle running back during a scrimmage between the two towns.

Italy Gladiator linebacker Coby Jeffords fills the gap to bring down a Valley Mills Eagle running back during a scrimmage between the two towns. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator offensive linemen Aaron Pittman(64) and Kyle Fortenberry(50) team up to push back an Eagle defender.

Gladiator offensive linemen Aaron Pittman(64) and Kyle Fortenberry(50) team up to push back an Eagle defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator defenders Kyle Fortenberry(50) and John Escamilla(21) are joined by teammates in stopping the progress of an Eagle runner.

Gladiator defenders Kyle Fortenberry(50) and John Escamilla(21) are joined by teammates in stopping the progress of an Eagle runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator defensive tackle John Escamilla(21) goes after a ball carrier in the Eagle backfield.

Gladiator defensive tackle John Escamilla(21) goes after a ball carrier in the Eagle backfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior receiver Cody Boyd(34) attempts to haul in a pass thrown deep downfield.

Senior receiver Cody Boyd(34) attempts to haul in a pass thrown deep downfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hunter Merimon(1) turns up behind teammates Austin Pittmon(58), Kyle Fortenberry(50) and Coby Jeffords(40) for extra yards.

Hunter Merimon(1) turns up behind teammates Austin Pittmon(58), Kyle Fortenberry(50) and Coby Jeffords(40) for extra yards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator receiver Levi McBride(2) makes a diving catch for a first down.

Gladiator receiver Levi McBride(2) makes a diving catch for a first down. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy linebacker Kyle Fortenberry(50) brings down an Eagle ball handler.

Italy linebacker Kyle Fortenberry(50) brings down an Eagle ball handler. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator sophomore quarterback Joe Celis(6) completes a pass while under pressure.

Gladiator sophomore quarterback Joe Celis(6) completes a pass while under pressure. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator right offensive tackle John Byers(99) slows down the pursuit of a pair of Eagles.

Gladiator right offensive tackle John Byers(99) slows down the pursuit of a pair of Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator receiver Ryan Connor(15) corrals a first down pass along Italy’s sideline although his father missed it.

Gladiator receiver Ryan Connor(15) corrals a first down pass along Italy’s sideline although his father missed it. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Levi McBride(2) breaks a tackle and then finishes off a 54-yard catch-and-run down to goal line.

Italy’s Levi McBride(2) breaks a tackle and then finishes off a 54-yard catch-and-run down to goal line. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Austin Crawford(62) pulls down an Eagle runner with help from teammate Kendrick Norwood(4).

JV Gladiator Austin Crawford(62) pulls down an Eagle runner with help from teammate Kendrick Norwood(4). (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Tylan Wallace(9) breaks up a long pass attempt by the Eagles.

JV Gladiator Tylan Wallace(9) breaks up a long pass attempt by the Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Chris Davila(84) slams the door shut on an Eagle running back.

JV Gladiator Chris Davila(84) slams the door shut on an Eagle running back. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator quarterback Clayton Miller(8) fires a pass out of the pocket.

JV Gladiator quarterback Clayton Miller(8) fires a pass out of the pocket. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Jaray Anderson(24) gets a seal block on the edge from teammate Garrett Janek(19) and then Anderson races 67-yards for a touchdown.

JV Gladiator Jaray Anderson(24) gets a seal block on the edge from teammate Garrett Janek(19) and then Anderson races 67-yards for a touchdown. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator quarterback Tylan Wallace(9) takes matters into his own hands as he breaks a big run for Italy.

JV Gladiator quarterback Tylan Wallace(9) takes matters into his own hands as he breaks a big run for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator running back Kyle Tindol(22) stretches out for an extra yard.

JV Gladiator running back Kyle Tindol(22) stretches out for an extra yard. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Sam Corley(54) fights off a double-team from his defensive tackle position.

JV Gladiator Sam Corley(54) fights off a double-team from his defensive tackle position. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiators Kendrick Norwood(4) and Tylan Wallace(9) bring down an Eagle receiver the hard way.

JV Gladiators Kendrick Norwood(4) and Tylan Wallace(9) bring down an Eagle receiver the hard way. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Garrett Janek(19) eyes the Valley Mills’ quarterback before the snap of the ball.

JV Gladiator Garrett Janek(19) eyes the Valley Mills’ quarterback before the snap of the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Clay Riddle(56) pops the Eagle quarterback for good measure.

JV Gladiator Clay Riddle(56) pops the Eagle quarterback for good measure. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Eli Garcia(36) hits the Eagle quarterback to force a scrimmage-ending incompletion.

JV Gladiator Eli Garcia(36) hits the Eagle quarterback to force a scrimmage-ending incompletion. (Barry Byers)

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