The Gladiators give newcomers and JV players plenty of reps in Palmer scrimmage

Image: Sophomore QB Joe Celis(6) prepares to lead the Gladiators in a scrimmage against the Palmer Bulldogs and beyond….

Sophomore QB Joe Celis(6) prepares to lead the Gladiators in a scrimmage against the Palmer Bulldogs and beyond…. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s waterboys for the scrimmage were Omar De La Hoya, Ty Cash and Brentlee Grant.

Italy’s waterboys for the scrimmage were Omar De La Hoya, Ty Cash and Brentlee Grant. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Inside linebacker Kyle Fortenberry(50) closes in on Palmer QB Ty MItchell.

Italy’s Inside linebacker Kyle Fortenberry(50) closes in on Palmer QB Ty MItchell. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s outside linebacker Hunter Merimon(1) intercepts a Palmer pass and then runs for a few yards before Palmer’s Brian Archibald pulls him down.

Italy’s outside linebacker Hunter Merimon(1) intercepts a Palmer pass and then runs for a few yards before Palmer’s Brian Archibald pulls him down. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator freshman Kendrick Norwood(4) tries to make the most of his varsity reps by slipping a Bulldog tackle and lunging ahead for positive yards.

Gladiator freshman Kendrick Norwood(4) tries to make the most of his varsity reps by slipping a Bulldog tackle and lunging ahead for positive yards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Palmer’s Brian Archibald tries to keep Italy’s Joe Celis(6) from getting the edge during a quarterback keeper.

Palmer’s Brian Archibald tries to keep Italy’s Joe Celis(6) from getting the edge during a quarterback keeper. (Barry Byers)

Image: Right tackle John Byers(99) drives Palmer’s end, Brian Archibald, away from his quarterback, teammate Joe Celis(6), until the whistles blows.

Right tackle John Byers(99) drives Palmer’s end, Brian Archibald, away from his quarterback, teammate Joe Celis(6), until the whistles blows. (Barry Byers)

Image: At 5’9", 384 pounds, Italy newcomer Ty Fernandez not only upgraded the Gladiator defensive front, he Super Sized it. This caption courtesy of McDonalds®…I’m lovin’ it!

At 5’9", 384 pounds, Italy newcomer Ty Fernandez not only upgraded the Gladiator defensive front, he Super Sized it. This caption courtesy of McDonalds®…I’m lovin’ it! (Barry Byers)

Image: Palmer quarterback Ty Mitchell (4) eludes Italy Dog Catchers Hunter Merimon(1) and Cody Boyd(34).

Palmer quarterback Ty Mitchell (4) eludes Italy Dog Catchers Hunter Merimon(1) and Cody Boyd(34). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Jack Hernandez(3) tries to upend a Palmer receiver but the Bulldog keeps his paws and maneuvers into the endzone.

Italy’s Jack Hernandez(3) tries to upend a Palmer receiver but the Bulldog keeps his paws and maneuvers into the endzone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaray Anderson(24) tries to fight off a Bulldog who is nipping at his heels during a sweep play.

Jaray Anderson(24) tries to fight off a Bulldog who is nipping at his heels during a sweep play. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Quarterback Clayton Miller(6) hands off to Kendrick Norwood(4) as Kyle Tindol(22) leads thru the hole. Blocking up front for Italy are Clay Riddle(56), Barry Grant(75), a freshman who has transferred in from New Mexico, and Austin Crawford(62).

JV Quarterback Clayton Miller(6) hands off to Kendrick Norwood(4) as Kyle Tindol(22) leads thru the hole. Blocking up front for Italy are Clay Riddle(56), Barry Grant(75), a freshman who has transferred in from New Mexico, and Austin Crawford(62). (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiators Edgar Solis(52) and Chris Munoz(68) buckle up as they prepare to enter the fray against Palmer.

JV Gladiators Edgar Solis(52) and Chris Munoz(68) buckle up as they prepare to enter the fray against Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Ryan Connor takes reps at quarterback. Connor was a standout receiver and defensive back last season.

Gladiator Ryan Connor takes reps at quarterback. Connor was a standout receiver and defensive back last season. (Barry Byers)

Image: A Palmer receiver uses an athletic move to avoid being tackled.

A Palmer receiver uses an athletic move to avoid being tackled. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Clayton Miller(6) drags down a Palmer receiver.

Gladiator Clayton Miller(6) drags down a Palmer receiver. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Clayton Miller(6) hands off to Jaray Anderson(24) who looks to gain some yards for Italy.

Gladiator Clayton Miller(6) hands off to Jaray Anderson(24) who looks to gain some yards for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s defensive front of Cody Boyd(34), John Escamilla(21), John Byers(99) and David De La Hoya(77) are ready for the Bulldogs.

Italy’s defensive front of Cody Boyd(34), John Escamilla(21), John Byers(99) and David De La Hoya(77) are ready for the Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)

Image: That’s Micah Escamilla(45) swooping in to make a leg tackle against the Bulldogs. Escamilla transferred to Italy this season from Waxahachie. Also giving chase are Gladiator teammates Aaron Pittmon, Austin Pittmon(58) and Kendrick Norwood(4).

That’s Micah Escamilla(45) swooping in to make a leg tackle against the Bulldogs. Escamilla transferred to Italy this season from Waxahachie. Also giving chase are Gladiator teammates Aaron Pittmon, Austin Pittmon(58) and Kendrick Norwood(4). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Clayton Miller(8) and Jack Hernandez(3) are proud to be wearing the gold and white!

Italy’s Clayton Miller(8) and Jack Hernandez(3) are proud to be wearing the gold and white! (Barry Byers)

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