Gladiator miscues give old foe Meridian second district win

Image: Italy’s senior tailback Coby Jeffords(10) gained 125 yards on 25 carries and scored 3 touchdowns but it wasn’t enough to overthrow the Meridian Yellowjackets who defended their home turf with a 48-26 district win.

Italy’s senior tailback Coby Jeffords(10) gained 125 yards on 25 carries and scored 3 touchdowns but it wasn’t enough to overthrow the Meridian Yellowjackets who defended their home turf with a 48-26 district win. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiators and their cheerleaders prepare for a district battle with Meridian.

The Gladiators and their cheerleaders prepare for a district battle with Meridian. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator captains are Cody Boyd(15), John Byers(60), Coby Jeffords(10) and Sam Corley(58).

Gladiator captains are Cody Boyd(15), John Byers(60), Coby Jeffords(10) and Sam Corley(58). (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiator Regiment Band is geared up for the kickoff.

The Gladiator Regiment Band is geared up for the kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Kendrick Norwood(4) and Coby Jeffords(10) team up to make the stop on the opening kickoff.

Gladiators Kendrick Norwood(4) and Coby Jeffords(10) team up to make the stop on the opening kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kendrick Norwood(4) gets pressure on the Meridian quarterback.

Italy’s Kendrick Norwood(4) gets pressure on the Meridian quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clayton Miller(6) makes a form tackle for Italy’s defense.

Clayton Miller(6) makes a form tackle for Italy’s defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator quarterback Joe Celis(8) completes a pass to teammate Coby Jeffords(10).

Gladiator quarterback Joe Celis(8) completes a pass to teammate Coby Jeffords(10). (Barry Byers)

Image: Coby Jeffords(10) is finally tripped up after a 21 yard pass completion.

Coby Jeffords(10) is finally tripped up after a 21 yard pass completion. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clayton Miller(6) powers his way for a big play in the Gladiator passing game.

Clayton Miller(6) powers his way for a big play in the Gladiator passing game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Team managers Brentlee Grant and John Hall, Jr., water the Gladiator defense during an injury timeout.

Team managers Brentlee Grant and John Hall, Jr., water the Gladiator defense during an injury timeout. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy receiver Kyle Tindol(12) snags a pass inside Meridian’s 20-yard line.

Italy receiver Kyle Tindol(12) snags a pass inside Meridian’s 20-yard line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Tindol(12) breaks tackles after a catch and then hurries 18-yards for a Gladiator touchdown.

Kyle Tindol(12) breaks tackles after a catch and then hurries 18-yards for a Gladiator touchdown. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator senior linebacker Kyle Fortenberry(66) brings down a Meridian running back.

Gladiator senior linebacker Kyle Fortenberry(66) brings down a Meridian running back. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ty Fernandez(64) tangles with a Yellowjacket in the trenches.

Italy’s Ty Fernandez(64) tangles with a Yellowjacket in the trenches. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jack Hernandez(80), Dylan McCasland(40) and Kendrick Norwood(4) clear the way for Clayton Miller(6) who returns the kickoff deep into Yellowjacket territory late in the fourth-quarter.

Jack Hernandez(80), Dylan McCasland(40) and Kendrick Norwood(4) clear the way for Clayton Miller(6) who returns the kickoff deep into Yellowjacket territory late in the fourth-quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleader Madison Washington urges the Gladiators forward…

Italy High School cheerleader Madison Washington urges the Gladiators forward… (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Clayton Miller(6) is finally brought down by a couple of Yellowjackets.

Gladiator Clayton Miller(6) is finally brought down by a couple of Yellowjackets. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fabian Cortez(11) turns a short catch into a long gain for Italy.

Fabian Cortez(11) turns a short catch into a long gain for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator quarterback Joe Celis(6) rares back and completes a pass to teammate Coby Jeffords with Italy needing a 2-point conversion late.

Gladiator quarterback Joe Celis(6) rares back and completes a pass to teammate Coby Jeffords with Italy needing a 2-point conversion late. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator freshman Kendrick Norwood(4) returns a kickoff for several yards.

Gladiator freshman Kendrick Norwood(4) returns a kickoff for several yards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Joe Celis(8) rolls out to pass for the Italy offense.

Joe Celis(8) rolls out to pass for the Italy offense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jack Hernandez(80), K’Breona Davis, Clay Riddle(77), Clayton Miller(6), Madison Washington and Ashlyn Jacinto stick together during the school song.

Jack Hernandez(80), K’Breona Davis, Clay Riddle(77), Clayton Miller(6), Madison Washington and Ashlyn Jacinto stick together during the school song. (Barry Byers)

Image: The school spirit of Britney Chambers, Brooke DeBorde, Gladiator mascot Noeli Garcia and Zac Mercer shines thru the tough times and the good times.

The school spirit of Britney Chambers, Brooke DeBorde, Gladiator mascot Noeli Garcia and Zac Mercer shines thru the tough times and the good times. (Barry Byers)

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