Gladiators fight to the end but the speedy Chilton Pirates get the win

Image: Gladiators Austin Pittmon(65) and Aaron Pittmon(72) lead the Gladiators onto the field in Chilton to tangle with the Pirates.

Gladiators Austin Pittmon(65) and Aaron Pittmon(72) lead the Gladiators onto the field in Chilton to tangle with the Pirates. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Ty Fernandez(64) and John Byers(60) take the field together and block next to each other along Italy’s offensive line.

Gladiators Ty Fernandez(64) and John Byers(60) take the field together and block next to each other along Italy’s offensive line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Band members shoulder pat band director Jesus Perez during the pre-game anthem.

Band members shoulder pat band director Jesus Perez during the pre-game anthem. (Barry Byers)

Image: Old goldl respecting old glory — 1990 Gladiator alumni Curtis Riddle(44) takes his hat off for the red, white and blue.

Old goldl respecting old glory — 1990 Gladiator alumni Curtis Riddle(44) takes his hat off for the red, white and blue. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s players, cheerleaders and coaches prepare for battle against Chilton.

Italy’s players, cheerleaders and coaches prepare for battle against Chilton. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator captains Coby Jeffords(10), John Byers(60), Cody Boyd(15) and John Escamilla(50) greet the Pirate Captains.

Gladiator captains Coby Jeffords(10), John Byers(60), Cody Boyd(15) and John Escamilla(50) greet the Pirate Captains. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fabian Cortez(11) catches up to a Pirate running back who threatens to break a big run. Fellow Gladiators Ryan Connor(7) and Chris Davila(54) track the ball as well.

Fabian Cortez(11) catches up to a Pirate running back who threatens to break a big run. Fellow Gladiators Ryan Connor(7) and Chris Davila(54) track the ball as well. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator senior Cody Boyd(15) would become Italy’s Overall MVP and Defensive Line MVP for his hard work against Chilton.

Gladiator senior Cody Boyd(15) would become Italy’s Overall MVP and Defensive Line MVP for his hard work against Chilton. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Kyle Tindol(12) and Cody Boyd(15) try to spring running back Kendrick Norwood(4) into the clear.

Gladiators Kyle Tindol(12) and Cody Boyd(15) try to spring running back Kendrick Norwood(4) into the clear. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Hunter Merimon(3) pops the ball out and the ensuing fumble is recovered by teammate John Escamilla.

Gladiator Hunter Merimon(3) pops the ball out and the ensuing fumble is recovered by teammate John Escamilla. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior center Kyle Fortenberry(66) is Mr. Consistent for the Gladiator offense.

Senior center Kyle Fortenberry(66) is Mr. Consistent for the Gladiator offense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kendrick Norwood(4) slips between nice point-of-attack blocks executed by teammates Clay Riddle(77) and Ausin Pittmon(65). Levi McBride(1) tries to reach the Chilton backer.

Kendrick Norwood(4) slips between nice point-of-attack blocks executed by teammates Clay Riddle(77) and Ausin Pittmon(65). Levi McBride(1) tries to reach the Chilton backer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Quarterback Joe Celis(8) finds running room against the speedy Chilton defense.

Quarterback Joe Celis(8) finds running room against the speedy Chilton defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kendrick Norwood(4) makes a special teams’ tackle for Italy.

Kendrick Norwood(4) makes a special teams’ tackle for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Fabian Cortez(11) helps bring down a Chilton ball carrier short of the goal line.

Italy’s Fabian Cortez(11) helps bring down a Chilton ball carrier short of the goal line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Aaron Pittmon(72), Kyle Fortenberry(66) and Kendrick Norwood(4) team up to stop Chilton from reaching the endzone.

Italy’s Aaron Pittmon(72), Kyle Fortenberry(66) and Kendrick Norwood(4) team up to stop Chilton from reaching the endzone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) leads the way for Kyle Tindol(12) who sparks Italy with a long kickoff return.

Levi McBride(1) leads the way for Kyle Tindol(12) who sparks Italy with a long kickoff return. (Barry Byers)

Image: Joe Celis(8) call the play in Italy’s huddle.

Joe Celis(8) call the play in Italy’s huddle. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator tailback Coby Jeffords(10) searches for running room down Chilton’s sideline.

Senior Gladiator tailback Coby Jeffords(10) searches for running room down Chilton’s sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Levi McBride(1) attempts to leg tackle a Pirate runner.

Gladiator Levi McBride(1) attempts to leg tackle a Pirate runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Cody Boyd(15) and Aaron Pittmon(72) go after a Pirate point-after kick attempt.

Gladiators Cody Boyd(15) and Aaron Pittmon(72) go after a Pirate point-after kick attempt. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Ryan Connor(7) runs behind a block from teammate Austin Pittmon(65).

Gladiator Ryan Connor(7) runs behind a block from teammate Austin Pittmon(65). (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiator Regiment Band cheers on their guys in gold.

The Gladiator Regiment Band cheers on their guys in gold. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator receiver Ryan Connor(7) is finally wrapped up by Pirate tacklers.

Gladiator receiver Ryan Connor(7) is finally wrapped up by Pirate tacklers. (Barry Byers)

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