Gladiators win district opener 35-19 over Frost; Coby Jeffords rushes for 5 TDs

Image: Italy High School Cheerleaders get the crows fired-up before the first district game between the Gladiators and the Polar Bear of Frost.

Italy High School Cheerleaders get the crows fired-up before the first district game between the Gladiators and the Polar Bear of Frost. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Kyle Fortenberry(66) leads the troops onto Willis Field for the district clash with visiting Frost.

Senior Gladiator Kyle Fortenberry(66) leads the troops onto Willis Field for the district clash with visiting Frost. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Coby Jeffords(10), Ty Fernandez(64) and Clay Riddle(77) hurry out of the tunnel and thru spirit alley.

Gladiator Coby Jeffords(10), Ty Fernandez(64) and Clay Riddle(77) hurry out of the tunnel and thru spirit alley. (Barry Byers)

Image: Injured but not forgotten are Gladiators Hunter Merimon(3), Levi McBride(1), Barry Grant(99), Chris Davila(54) and Micah Escamilla(88). Colin Newman was already on the sideline and Jack Hernandez returned to action after being out last week.

Injured but not forgotten are Gladiators Hunter Merimon(3), Levi McBride(1), Barry Grant(99), Chris Davila(54) and Micah Escamilla(88). Colin Newman was already on the sideline and Jack Hernandez returned to action after being out last week. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator head coach Charles Tindol is feeling good about things during the coin toss.

Gladiator head coach Charles Tindol is feeling good about things during the coin toss. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kaboom!!! Gladiator Fabian Cortez(11) welcomes Frost to Willis Field the hard way with a high-flying tackle on the opening kickoff.

Kaboom!!! Gladiator Fabian Cortez(11) welcomes Frost to Willis Field the hard way with a high-flying tackle on the opening kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior defensive end John Byers(60) wraps up a Polar Bear before he can do any downfield damage.

Senior defensive end John Byers(60) wraps up a Polar Bear before he can do any downfield damage. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator senior linebacker Coby Jeffords(10) delivers a piercing hit to a Frost running back.

Gladiator senior linebacker Coby Jeffords(10) delivers a piercing hit to a Frost running back. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(60) scoops up a Frost fumble and sprints 15 yards to the Polar Bear 24-yard line early in the first-quarter. That’s teammate Coby Jeffords(10) trying to spring him into the endzone.

John Byers(60) scoops up a Frost fumble and sprints 15 yards to the Polar Bear 24-yard line early in the first-quarter. That’s teammate Coby Jeffords(10) trying to spring him into the endzone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator quarterback Joe Celis(8) hands off to receiver Ryan Connor(7) as guard John Escamilla(50) and the rest of the Italy offensive line try to create a running lane.

Gladiator quarterback Joe Celis(8) hands off to receiver Ryan Connor(7) as guard John Escamilla(50) and the rest of the Italy offensive line try to create a running lane. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator QB Joe Celis(8) attempts to manhandle his way into the endzone with Italy desperate to get their first touchdown of the season.

Gladiator QB Joe Celis(8) attempts to manhandle his way into the endzone with Italy desperate to get their first touchdown of the season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Coby Jeffords(10) and Aaron Pittmon(72) make a wish and cause a Frost runner to fumble.

Italy’s Coby Jeffords(10) and Aaron Pittmon(72) make a wish and cause a Frost runner to fumble. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator defensive tackle Aaron Pittmon(72) gets his paw on the Polar Bear fumble.

Gladiator defensive tackle Aaron Pittmon(72) gets his paw on the Polar Bear fumble. (Barry Byers)

Image: First Down, Italy!!! Aaron Pittmon(72) recovers the Frost fumble to give Italy chance to score at the 3-yard line of Frost.

First Down, Italy!!! Aaron Pittmon(72) recovers the Frost fumble to give Italy chance to score at the 3-yard line of Frost. (Barry Byers)

Image: Finally, on 4th and goal from the 2 yard line, Coby Jeffords(10) follows blockers Kyle Tindol(12) and Clayton Miller(6) around the left side and into the endzone for Italy’s first points of the 2014 season!

Finally, on 4th and goal from the 2 yard line, Coby Jeffords(10) follows blockers Kyle Tindol(12) and Clayton Miller(6) around the left side and into the endzone for Italy’s first points of the 2014 season! (Barry Byers)

Image: It’s a Celebration! Kendrick Norwood(4), Clay Riddle(77) and John Byers(60) congratulate Coby Jeffords(10) on his first TD of the game and Italy’s first points of the season.

It’s a Celebration! Kendrick Norwood(4), Clay Riddle(77) and John Byers(60) congratulate Coby Jeffords(10) on his first TD of the game and Italy’s first points of the season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s David De La Hoya(56) attempts a point-after kick with Joe Celis(8) holding and Kyle Fortenberry snapping.

Italy’s David De La Hoya(56) attempts a point-after kick with Joe Celis(8) holding and Kyle Fortenberry snapping. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator David De La Hoya(56) kicks off to Frost.

Gladiator David De La Hoya(56) kicks off to Frost. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Clayton Miller(6) and Coby Jeffords(10) team up to stop a Polar Bear back.

Gladiators Clayton Miller(6) and Coby Jeffords(10) team up to stop a Polar Bear back. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator safety Ryan Connor(7) makes a tackle along Italy’s sideline.

Gladiator safety Ryan Connor(7) makes a tackle along Italy’s sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy HS Cheerleader Britney Chambers proves the sky is the limit for the Gladiators!

Italy HS Cheerleader Britney Chambers proves the sky is the limit for the Gladiators! (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy HS Cheerleader Jozie Perkins cheers on her peers.

Italy HS Cheerleader Jozie Perkins cheers on her peers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ryan Connor(7) wiggles for extra yards thru the Frost defenses.

Italy’s Ryan Connor(7) wiggles for extra yards thru the Frost defenses. (Barry Byers)

Image: No, Sir! The stubborn Gladiator defense pushes back a Frost running back with Hunter Morgan(45), Kyle Fortenberry(66), Aaron Pittmon(72), Cody Boyd(15) and Kendrick Norwood(4) bricking up the wall.

No, Sir! The stubborn Gladiator defense pushes back a Frost running back with Hunter Morgan(45), Kyle Fortenberry(66), Aaron Pittmon(72), Cody Boyd(15) and Kendrick Norwood(4) bricking up the wall. (Barry Byers)

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