Italy vs. Maypearl always results in lasting images from this classic rivalry

Image: Quarterback Joe Celis(8) gets the Gladiators moving in the second-half against Maypearl.

Quarterback Joe Celis(8) gets the Gladiators moving in the second-half against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School Cheerleader Ashlyn Jacinto sports a smile during a timeout.

Italy High School Cheerleader Ashlyn Jacinto sports a smile during a timeout. (Barry Byers)

Image: Backup quarterback Ryan Connor(7) warms up before the game against Maypearl.

Backup quarterback Ryan Connor(7) warms up before the game against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Joe Celis(8) passes while on the move during pre-game warmups.

Italy’s Joe Celis(8) passes while on the move during pre-game warmups. (Barry Byers)

Image: David De La Hoya(56) kicks off for Italy to start the rivalry game against Maypearl.

David De La Hoya(56) kicks off for Italy to start the rivalry game against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School Cheerleaders Zac Mercer and Jozie Perkins add personality and charm to the squad’s pom-poms.

Italy High School Cheerleaders Zac Mercer and Jozie Perkins add personality and charm to the squad’s pom-poms. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hannah “Heisman” Washington practices her moves when not taking stats. Informational tidbit — As a coach In 1904, Heisman’s Georgia Tech squad defeated the Cumberland College Bulldogs, 222–0, in the most one-sided college football game ever played.

Hannah “Heisman” Washington practices her moves when not taking stats.

Informational tidbit — As a coach In 1904, Heisman’s Georgia Tech squad defeated the Cumberland College Bulldogs, 222–0, in the most one-sided college football game ever played. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator inside linebacker Coby Jeffords(10) leg tackles a Panther runner.

Gladiator inside linebacker Coby Jeffords(10) leg tackles a Panther runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hunter Merimon(3) trips up a Panther before he can reach Italy’s endzone.

Hunter Merimon(3) trips up a Panther before he can reach Italy’s endzone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Right offensive guard Ty Fernandez(64) tries to open a running lane but Hunter Merimon(3) is already wrapped up by Panther tacklers.

Right offensive guard Ty Fernandez(64) tries to open a running lane but Hunter Merimon(3) is already wrapped up by Panther tacklers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bandies rock it out from the stands.

Bandies rock it out from the stands. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator right tackle John Byers(60) protects his quarterback.

Gladiator right tackle John Byers(60) protects his quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman Clay Riddle(77) prepares for a Panther kickoff.

Freshman Clay Riddle(77) prepares for a Panther kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Hunter Merimon(3) rises in hopes of blocking a Panther point after kick.

Italy’s Hunter Merimon(3) rises in hopes of blocking a Panther point after kick. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleader Brooke DeBorde waits for the cue from the band.

Italy High School cheerleader Brooke DeBorde waits for the cue from the band. (Barry Byers)

Image: I’m gonna play my tuba….

I’m gonna play my tuba…. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kendrick Norwood(4) recovers a fumble for the Gladiator cause.

Kendrick Norwood(4) recovers a fumble for the Gladiator cause. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Joe Celis(8) wards off a Panther tackler.

Italy’s Joe Celis(8) wards off a Panther tackler. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiator defense tries to keep Maypearl penned down.

The Gladiator defense tries to keep Maypearl penned down. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy senior Ty Fernandez(64)….Be Afraid! Be Very Afraid!!

Italy senior Ty Fernandez(64)….Be Afraid! Be Very Afraid!! (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman Gladiator Kyle Tindol(12) catches a pass and then turns upfield.

Freshman Gladiator Kyle Tindol(12) catches a pass and then turns upfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Maypearl had Italy seeing red during Friday night’s game as mascot Noeli Garcia lets her inner gladiator show thru.

Maypearl had Italy seeing red during Friday night’s game as mascot Noeli Garcia lets her inner gladiator show thru. (Barry Byers)

Image: Over the past four seasons, the record between Italy and Maypearl has been 2-2. Italy senior John Byers(60) and Maypearl’s spirit leader Clint Holley(50) show mutual respect after the game.

Over the past four seasons, the record between Italy and Maypearl has been 2-2. Italy senior John Byers(60) and Maypearl’s spirit leader Clint Holley(50) show mutual respect after the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: We all wish the best for senior Gladiator Colin Newman(76) who has always laid it on the line for the Gladiator cause!

We all wish the best for senior Gladiator Colin Newman(76) who has always laid it on the line for the Gladiator cause! (Barry Byers)

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