The Gladiators continue the fight against the Chilton Pirates

Image: Gladiator defenders Ryan Connor(7), Kendrick Norwood(4) and Kyle Fortenberry(66) pull down a Pirate ball carrier.

Gladiator defenders Ryan Connor(7), Kendrick Norwood(4) and Kyle Fortenberry(66) pull down a Pirate ball carrier. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Hunter Merimon(3) hangs on to bring a Chilton ball handler down to the turf with help from teammates.

Gladiator Hunter Merimon(3) hangs on to bring a Chilton ball handler down to the turf with help from teammates. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Levi McBride(1) collides with a Pirate ball carrier to help his buds bring down a pesky Pirate.

Italy’s Levi McBride(1) collides with a Pirate ball carrier to help his buds bring down a pesky Pirate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Levi McBride(1) looks for a running lane during a kick return.

Italy’s Levi McBride(1) looks for a running lane during a kick return. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator offensive tackle John Byers(60) keeps his man away from the ball.

Gladiator offensive tackle John Byers(60) keeps his man away from the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy QB Joe Celis(8) rolls out and looks for an open receiver.

Italy QB Joe Celis(8) rolls out and looks for an open receiver. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator receiver Clayton Miller(6) pulls in a pass from teammate Joe Celis.

Gladiator receiver Clayton Miller(6) pulls in a pass from teammate Joe Celis. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School cheerleader Kelsey Nelson grins in hopes of a win.

Italy High School cheerleader Kelsey Nelson grins in hopes of a win. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chilton’s Caleb Karl(10) is a few burgers shy of splitting this double-team applied by Italy’s John Byers(60) and Ty Fernandez(64).

Chilton’s Caleb Karl(10) is a few burgers shy of splitting this double-team applied by Italy’s John Byers(60) and Ty Fernandez(64). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy tailback Coby Jeffords(10) finishes the run as he reaches for more yards against Chilton.

Italy tailback Coby Jeffords(10) finishes the run as he reaches for more yards against Chilton. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Joe Celis(8) tries to elude a couple of Pirate tacklers.

Italy’s Joe Celis(8) tries to elude a couple of Pirate tacklers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman Gladiator Kyle Tindol(12) powers over a Pirate tackler during a kick return.

Freshman Gladiator Kyle Tindol(12) powers over a Pirate tackler during a kick return. (Barry Byers)

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(Barry Byers)

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Image: Apparently that cute little strawberry is Gladiator Kyle Fortenberry’s biggest fan.

Apparently that cute little strawberry is Gladiator Kyle Fortenberry’s biggest fan. (Barry Byers)

Image: Band mates Jorge and Emmy show their spirit from all the way up in the cheap seats.

Band mates Jorge and Emmy show their spirit from all the way up in the cheap seats. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fabian Cortez(11) picks off a Pirate pass attempt for the Gladiators.

Fabian Cortez(11) picks off a Pirate pass attempt for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clay Riddle(77) and Ty Fernandez(64) helps teammate Kendrick Norwood(4) finds some space to maneuver.

Clay Riddle(77) and Ty Fernandez(64) helps teammate Kendrick Norwood(4) finds some space to maneuver. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Clayton Miller(6) gets hogtied by a Pirate tackler during a kick return.

Italy’s Clayton Miller(6) gets hogtied by a Pirate tackler during a kick return. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(7) takes the handoff from Joe Celis(8) as Ty Fernandez(64) and John Byers(60) double-team a Pirate defender.

Ryan Connor(7) takes the handoff from Joe Celis(8) as Ty Fernandez(64) and John Byers(60) double-team a Pirate defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior safety Jack Hernandez(80) comes down with an interception for the Gladiators.

Senior safety Jack Hernandez(80) comes down with an interception for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiator cheerleaders try to keep their balance and keep Italy on course despite the unsteadiness of the Pirate field.

The Gladiator cheerleaders try to keep their balance and keep Italy on course despite the unsteadiness of the Pirate field. (Barry Byers)

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