Gladiators run over Dawson 48-26 for homecoming win; Celis rushes for 249, 3 TDs

Image: The Italy Gladiators gets its second 200 yard rushing performance of the 2024 season with quarterback Joe Celis(8) rushing 15 times for 249 yards and 3 touchdowns. Celis led the Gladiators to a 48-26 win over the Dawson Bulldogs.

The Italy Gladiators gets its second 200 yard rushing performance of the 2024 season with quarterback Joe Celis(8) rushing 15 times for 249 yards and 3 touchdowns. Celis led the Gladiators to a 48-26 win over the Dawson Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy flat ran over the Dawson Bulldogs this past Friday night to secure a homecoming win and improve their district record to 3-2. Here Coby Jeffords(10) leaps over a pancake block from his right guard Ty Hernandez(64).

Italy flat ran over the Dawson Bulldogs this past Friday night to secure a homecoming win and improve their district record to 3-2. Here Coby Jeffords(10) leaps over a pancake block from his right guard Ty Hernandez(64). (Barry Byers)

Image: Kendrick Norwood(4) is finally tripped up by a Bulldog nipping at his heels after a nice gain for the Gladiators.

Kendrick Norwood(4) is finally tripped up by a Bulldog nipping at his heels after a nice gain for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Assistant coach Jackie Cate and the Gladiators charge into battle against Dawson.

Assistant coach Jackie Cate and the Gladiators charge into battle against Dawson. (Barry Byers)

Image: Assistant coach Bobby Campbell talks with his special teams unit with Clay Riddle(77), David De La Hoya(56), Jack Hernandez(80) and Jaray Anderson(44) listening up.

Assistant coach Bobby Campbell talks with his special teams unit with Clay Riddle(77), David De La Hoya(56), Jack Hernandez(80) and Jaray Anderson(44) listening up. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleader Zac Mercer urges Italy toward a homecoming victory!

Italy High School cheerleader Zac Mercer urges Italy toward a homecoming victory! (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman Clay Riddle(77) directs the front soldiers of the Gladiator kickoff return team.

Freshman Clay Riddle(77) directs the front soldiers of the Gladiator kickoff return team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Chris Munoz(54) is set to receive the kickoff from Dawson.

Gladiator Chris Munoz(54) is set to receive the kickoff from Dawson. (Barry Byers)

Image: Assistant coach Jon Proud keeps an eye on quarterback Joe Celis(8) as Celis is forced out-of-bounds by a Bulldog defender.

Assistant coach Jon Proud keeps an eye on quarterback Joe Celis(8) as Celis is forced out-of-bounds by a Bulldog defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator senior defensive tackle John Escamilla(50) is ready for a brawl with the Bulldogs.

Gladiator senior defensive tackle John Escamilla(50) is ready for a brawl with the Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Junior High cheerleader Kimberly Hooker, her smile and her eye black say it all-!!!

Italy Junior High cheerleader Kimberly Hooker, her smile and her eye black say it all-!!! (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior offensive linemen John Byers(60) and Ty Fernandez(64) manhandle the Dawson defensive front.

Senior offensive linemen John Byers(60) and Ty Fernandez(64) manhandle the Dawson defensive front. (Barry Byers)

Image: All the Italy Junior High cheerleaders all in a row with mascot Virginia McDaniel, Hannah Carr, Courtni Bland, Karson Holley, Karley Nelson, La’Jada Jackson, Lana Beets, Taylor Boyd and Alex Jones.

All the Italy Junior High cheerleaders all in a row with mascot Virginia McDaniel, Hannah Carr, Courtni Bland, Karson Holley, Karley Nelson, La’Jada Jackson, Lana Beets, Taylor Boyd and Alex Jones. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator defensive tackle, Aaron Pittmon(72) wraps up a Dawson running back with help from teammates Ty Fernandez(64) and Kyle Fortenberry(66).

Gladiator defensive tackle, Aaron Pittmon(72) wraps up a Dawson running back with help from teammates Ty Fernandez(64) and Kyle Fortenberry(66). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleader Brooke DeBorde crowd watches from the sideline.

Italy High School cheerleader Brooke DeBorde crowd watches from the sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kendrick Norwood(4) picks up some more yards for Italy.

Kendrick Norwood(4) picks up some more yards for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy defensive tackle John Escamilla(50) targets a Dawson running back with help from Aaron Pittmon(72) and Kyle Fortenberry(66).

Italy defensive tackle John Escamilla(50) targets a Dawson running back with help from Aaron Pittmon(72) and Kyle Fortenberry(66). (Barry Byers)

Image: Offensive guard Clay Riddle(77) stays on his block as the ball crosses midfield.

Offensive guard Clay Riddle(77) stays on his block as the ball crosses midfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Julissa Hernandez, Bailey Eubank, Madison Washington, Kelsey Nelson, Jaclynn Lewis, Reagan Cockerham, Annie Perry and Elizabeth Garcia form the 2014 Italy High School Homecoming Court with Nelson crowned being queen during halftime. Congrats, Ladies!

Julissa Hernandez, Bailey Eubank, Madison Washington, Kelsey Nelson, Jaclynn Lewis, Reagan Cockerham, Annie Perry and Elizabeth Garcia form the 2014 Italy High School Homecoming Court with Nelson crowned being queen during halftime. Congrats, Ladies! (Barry Byers)

Image: 2014 Homecoming Queen Kelsey Nelson and proud father Doug Nelson.

2014 Homecoming Queen Kelsey Nelson and proud father Doug Nelson. (Barry Byers)

Image: Assistant drum major Vanessa Cantu directs the band during homecoming.

Assistant drum major Vanessa Cantu directs the band during homecoming. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Junior High cheerleader La’Jada Jackson and her cheer mates add to the spirited homecoming atmosphere.

Italy Junior High cheerleader La’Jada Jackson and her cheer mates add to the spirited homecoming atmosphere.

Image: Gladiator senior Cody Boyd(15) and little sis Taylor Boyd pose together for a homecoming picture. That is sweet, and so was Italy’s win over Dawson.

Gladiator senior Cody Boyd(15) and little sis Taylor Boyd pose together for a homecoming picture. That is sweet, and so was Italy’s win over Dawson. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman Gladiator Kyle Tindol(12) celebrates Italy’s homecoming win with his little bro Cade Tindol(56).

Freshman Gladiator Kyle Tindol(12) celebrates Italy’s homecoming win with his little bro Cade Tindol(56). (Barry Byers)

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