Gladiators show improvement but injuries hard to overcome versus Blooming Grove

Image: Italy’s Aaron Pittmon(72) and Austin Pittmon(65) bust out of the tunnel to help lead their Gladiator teammates onto Willis Field and into battle against Blooming Grove.

Italy’s Aaron Pittmon(72) and Austin Pittmon(65) bust out of the tunnel to help lead their Gladiator teammates onto Willis Field and into battle against Blooming Grove. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator captains Cody Boyd(15), Kyle Forteneberry(66), John Byers(60) and Colin Newman(76) greet the Lion captains at midfield.

Gladiator captains Cody Boyd(15), Kyle Forteneberry(66), John Byers(60) and Colin Newman(76) greet the Lion captains at midfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Colin Newman(76) and a Blooming Grove player share in good sportsmanship after the coin toss.

Senior Gladiator Colin Newman(76) and a Blooming Grove player share in good sportsmanship after the coin toss. (Barry Byers)

Image: Players, coaches, cheerleaders, band members and fans await the coin toss results.

Players, coaches, cheerleaders, band members and fans await the coin toss results. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy FFA officers Brayden Schramm​, Ty Windham, Jaclynn Lewis and Bailey Eubank are about to raise the flag during the pre-game ceremony.

Italy FFA officers Brayden Schramm​, Ty Windham, Jaclynn Lewis and Bailey Eubank are about to raise the flag during the pre-game ceremony. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hunter Merimon(3) sees a running lane behind center Kyle Fortenberry(66), guard John Escamilla, tackle Ty Fernandez(64) and lead back Coby Jeffords(10).

Hunter Merimon(3) sees a running lane behind center Kyle Fortenberry(66), guard John Escamilla, tackle Ty Fernandez(64) and lead back Coby Jeffords(10). (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) punts it away for Italy. McBride punted 5 times for 142 yards and a 28.4 yard average.

Levi McBride(1) punts it away for Italy. McBride punted 5 times for 142 yards and a 28.4 yard average. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kyle Fortenberry(66) helps force a turnover during an Italy punt. Fumble!!!

Italy’s Kyle Fortenberry(66) helps force a turnover during an Italy punt. Fumble!!! (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator John Escamilla(50) tries to claw his way to the loose ball.

Gladiator John Escamilla(50) tries to claw his way to the loose ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Kyle Fortenberry(66), Hunter Merimon(3) and Coby Jeffords(10) combine to bring down a Lion runner with Italy’s defense hustling early.

Gladiators Kyle Fortenberry(66), Hunter Merimon(3) and Coby Jeffords(10) combine to bring down a Lion runner with Italy’s defense hustling early. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Levi McBride(1) upends a Lion ball carrier along Italy’s sideline.

Gladiator Levi McBride(1) upends a Lion ball carrier along Italy’s sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Joe Celis(8) flies in to put pressure on the Blooming Grove quarterback.

Gladiator Joe Celis(8) flies in to put pressure on the Blooming Grove quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: Inside linebacker Coby Jeffords(10) form tackles a BG Lion in the hole.

Inside linebacker Coby Jeffords(10) form tackles a BG Lion in the hole. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clayton Miller(6) makes a touchdown saving tackle for the Gladiators.

Clayton Miller(6) makes a touchdown saving tackle for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) has tight coverage near the goal line as teammate Ryan Connor(7) (just entering the frame on the right side) arrives to dislodge the ball.

Levi McBride(1) has tight coverage near the goal line as teammate Ryan Connor(7) (just entering the frame on the right side) arrives to dislodge the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Coby Jeffords(10) is about to fire-off like a missile from his fullback position.

Gladiator Coby Jeffords(10) is about to fire-off like a missile from his fullback position. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator quarterback Joe Celis(8) hands off to senior tailback Hunter Merimon(3).

Gladiator quarterback Joe Celis(8) hands off to senior tailback Hunter Merimon(3). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy receiver Levi McBride(1) blocks downfield to help teammate Joe Celis(8) keep for more yards.

Italy receiver Levi McBride(1) blocks downfield to help teammate Joe Celis(8) keep for more yards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheer up! Cheer up!! Cheer up!!!

Cheer up! Cheer up!! Cheer up!!! (Barry Byers)

Image: Kirby Nelson is intense as she implores her Gladiator players to keep charging forward.

Kirby Nelson is intense as she implores her Gladiator players to keep charging forward. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Escamilla(5) keeps Blooming Grove tacklers back as Levi McBride(1) maneuvers thru the crowd.

John Escamilla(5) keeps Blooming Grove tacklers back as Levi McBride(1) maneuvers thru the crowd. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clay Riddle(77) helps a teammate drag down a Blooming Grove kick returner.

Clay Riddle(77) helps a teammate drag down a Blooming Grove kick returner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Go Kelsey Nelson! Get your spirit on!!

Go Kelsey Nelson! Get your spirit on!! (Barry Byers)

Image: BG’s #9 has no chance as John Byers(60) and teammate Ty Fernandez(64) shutdown a screen pass play attempted by the Lions.

BG’s #9 has no chance as John Byers(60) and teammate Ty Fernandez(64) shutdown a screen pass play attempted by the Lions. (Barry Byers)

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