Gladiators struggle against Maypearl in week 2

Image: Italy High School cheerleaders Zac Mercer, Annie Perry and Madison Washington hope for the best as Britney Chambers executes a tricky dismount after a stunt.

Italy High School cheerleaders Zac Mercer, Annie Perry and Madison Washington hope for the best as Britney Chambers executes a tricky dismount after a stunt. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleader, Halee Turner is ready for the game.

Italy High School cheerleader, Halee Turner is ready for the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry(66) and Colin Newman(76) lead the Gladiators into battle with Gladiator fans forming spirit lines down the field.

Kyle Fortenberry(66) and Colin Newman(76) lead the Gladiators into battle with Gladiator fans forming spirit lines down the field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry(66) and John Escamilla(50) show respect to the flag before soldiering the field.

Kyle Fortenberry(66) and John Escamilla(50) show respect to the flag before soldiering the field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hunter Merimon(3) and Cody Boyd(15) clamp down on a Maypearl Panther ball carrier.

Hunter Merimon(3) and Cody Boyd(15) clamp down on a Maypearl Panther ball carrier. (Barry Byers)

Image: With Joe Celis(8) hanging onto a Panther paw, defensive tackle John Escamilla(50) tries to strip the ball for the Gladiators.

With Joe Celis(8) hanging onto a Panther paw, defensive tackle John Escamilla(50) tries to strip the ball for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Kyle Fortenberry(66) and Kendrick Norwood(4) crash into the Panther backfield for a stop.

Gladiators Kyle Fortenberry(66) and Kendrick Norwood(4) crash into the Panther backfield for a stop. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator punter Levi McBride(1) sends a punt down to the Panther 2-yard line.

Gladiator punter Levi McBride(1) sends a punt down to the Panther 2-yard line. (Barry Byers)

Image: After a hit by defensive end John Byers(60), the ball pops out from a Panther ball carrier. Gladiator teammate Colin Newman(76) attempts to recover the pesky pigskin.

After a hit by defensive end John Byers(60), the ball pops out from a Panther ball carrier. Gladiator teammate Colin Newman(76) attempts to recover the pesky pigskin. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Cody Boyd(15), Fabian Cortez(11), Joe Celis(8), John Byers(60) and John Escamilla(50) try to convince the referee that he is wrong again…to no avail.

Gladiators Cody Boyd(15), Fabian Cortez(11), Joe Celis(8), John Byers(60) and John Escamilla(50) try to convince the referee that he is wrong again…to no avail. (Barry Byers)

Image: Seniors Ty Fernandez(64) and Cody Boyd(15) clear the way for freshman Kendrick Norwood(4).

Seniors Ty Fernandez(64) and Cody Boyd(15) clear the way for freshman Kendrick Norwood(4). (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator quarterback Joe Celis(8) hangs tough under the threat of a Panther attack.

Gladiator quarterback Joe Celis(8) hangs tough under the threat of a Panther attack. (Barry Byers)

Image: Aaron Pittmon(72) and Joe Celis(8) make a Panther sandwich as Chris Davila(54) backs them up.

Aaron Pittmon(72) and Joe Celis(8) make a Panther sandwich as Chris Davila(54) backs them up. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kayla Cunningham during her halftime flag routine as a member of the Italy High School Flag Corp.

Kayla Cunningham during her halftime flag routine as a member of the Italy High School Flag Corp. (Barry Byers)

Image: Drum Major Alexis Sampley and the award-winning Gladiator Regiment Marching Band entertain the Maypearl fans with their halftime performance.

Drum Major Alexis Sampley and the award-winning Gladiator Regiment Marching Band entertain the Maypearl fans with their halftime performance. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bass drummers do their thing during the halftime show.

Bass drummers do their thing during the halftime show. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleader K’Breona Davis takes a break before the second-half begins.

Italy High School cheerleader K’Breona Davis takes a break before the second-half begins. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators David De La Hoya(56), Ryan Connor(7), Hunter Merimon(3), Kyle Tindol(12), John Byers(60) and Kendrick Norwood(4) charge onto the field to begin the second-half.

Gladiators David De La Hoya(56), Ryan Connor(7), Hunter Merimon(3), Kyle Tindol(12), John Byers(60) and Kendrick Norwood(4) charge onto the field to begin the second-half. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior lineman John Byers(60) is on a mission in the second-half.

Senior lineman John Byers(60) is on a mission in the second-half. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleader Madison Washington fires up the second-half crowd.

Italy High School cheerleader Madison Washington fires up the second-half crowd. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) sparks the Gladiators with a long kick return up near midfield to start the third-quarter.

Levi McBride(1) sparks the Gladiators with a long kick return up near midfield to start the third-quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleader Kelsey Nelson leads the cheers against Maypearl.

Italy High School cheerleader Kelsey Nelson leads the cheers against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleader Britney Chambers reaches the fans in the cheap seats thanks to fellow cheerleader Zac Mercer who offers her a boost.

Italy High School cheerleader Britney Chambers reaches the fans in the cheap seats thanks to fellow cheerleader Zac Mercer who offers her a boost. (Barry Byers)

Image: Aaron Pittmon(72) bullies his way into the Maypearl backfield to tackle a Panther for a loss.

Aaron Pittmon(72) bullies his way into the Maypearl backfield to tackle a Panther for a loss. (Barry Byers)

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