The Italy Gladiators slam the Wortham Bulldogs into submission, 14-7

Image: Junior outside linebacker Hunter Merimon(3) slams down a Wortham Bulldog receiver to punctuate a strong defensive effort by the Gladiators to preserve a 14-7 district win for Italy.

Junior outside linebacker Hunter Merimon(3) slams down a Wortham Bulldog receiver to punctuate a strong defensive effort by the Gladiators to preserve a 14-7 district win for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator senior captains Ty Fernandez(64), Jack Hernandez(80), Cody Boyd(15) and Colin Newman(76) represent the gold and white during the pre-game coin toss.

Gladiator senior captains Ty Fernandez(64), Jack Hernandez(80), Cody Boyd(15) and Colin Newman(76) represent the gold and white during the pre-game coin toss. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiators, the coaches and the cheerleaders honor the flag.

The Gladiators, the coaches and the cheerleaders honor the flag. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy cheerleader Kelsey Nelson was cute as a kitten for Halloween.

Italy cheerleader Kelsey Nelson was cute as a kitten for Halloween. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman defensive tackle Clay Riddle(77) keeps Wortham out of the endzone momentarily.

Freshman defensive tackle Clay Riddle(77) keeps Wortham out of the endzone momentarily. (Barry Byers)

Image: Wortham takes an early 7-0 lead despite the efforts of Ryan Connor(7), Aaron Pittmon(72), Cody Boyd(15) and Hunter Merimon(3) trying to block the point-after kick by the Bulldogs.

Wortham takes an early 7-0 lead despite the efforts of Ryan Connor(7), Aaron Pittmon(72), Cody Boyd(15) and Hunter Merimon(3) trying to block the point-after kick by the Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy cheerleaders Kirby Nelson, Zac Mercer and Ashlyn Jacinto have faith in their Gladiators.

Italy cheerleaders Kirby Nelson, Zac Mercer and Ashlyn Jacinto have faith in their Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy cheerleader Jozie Perkins is all decked out in her Gladiator spirit wear.

Italy cheerleader Jozie Perkins is all decked out in her Gladiator spirit wear. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman running back Kendrick Norwood(4) breaks into the clear for Italy.

Freshman running back Kendrick Norwood(4) breaks into the clear for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator junior back Hunter Merimon(3) turns it up for positive yards.

Gladiator junior back Hunter Merimon(3) turns it up for positive yards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Receiver Ryan Connor(7) slips thru a Bulldog tackle for a big gain down to Wortham’s 5-yard line.

Receiver Ryan Connor(7) slips thru a Bulldog tackle for a big gain down to Wortham’s 5-yard line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clay Riddle(77) strikes again with a tackle in Wortham’s backfield.

Clay Riddle(77) strikes again with a tackle in Wortham’s backfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clay Riddle(77) finishes of the tackle for Italy.

Clay Riddle(77) finishes of the tackle for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Aaron Pittmon(72) spots Wortham’s running back hitting the middle of Italy’s defenses.

Aaron Pittmon(72) spots Wortham’s running back hitting the middle of Italy’s defenses. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fabian Cortez(11) denies a Bulldog receiver a reception in Italy’s secondary.

Fabian Cortez(11) denies a Bulldog receiver a reception in Italy’s secondary. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kendrick Norwood(4) plows thru a pair of Bulldog tacklers.

Italy’s Kendrick Norwood(4) plows thru a pair of Bulldog tacklers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clay Riddle(77) and Kyle Tindol(12) open a running lane for the Gladiators.

Clay Riddle(77) and Kyle Tindol(12) open a running lane for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ty Fernandez(64) pancakes a defenseless Wortham defenseman as Fernandez leads the way on a quarterback sneak by teammate Joe Celis(8), resulting in a 1st down for Italy!

Ty Fernandez(64) pancakes a defenseless Wortham defenseman as Fernandez leads the way on a quarterback sneak by teammate Joe Celis(8), resulting in a 1st down for Italy! (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Jack Hernandez(80) tries to keep a pair of Wortham tacklers away from teammate Hunter Merimon(3) who was on the move with the ball.

Italy’s Jack Hernandez(80) tries to keep a pair of Wortham tacklers away from teammate Hunter Merimon(3) who was on the move with the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior center Kyle Fortenberry(66) snaps for the Gladiators for his third season.

Senior center Kyle Fortenberry(66) snaps for the Gladiators for his third season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(7) takes a few snaps at quarterback for Italy as Coby Jeffords(10) tries to buy Connor some time to scan the field.

Ryan Connor(7) takes a few snaps at quarterback for Italy as Coby Jeffords(10) tries to buy Connor some time to scan the field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(7) completes a pass to Fabian Cortez(11) who turns and runs toward Wortham’s goal line.

Ryan Connor(7) completes a pass to Fabian Cortez(11) who turns and runs toward Wortham’s goal line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Coby Jeffords(10) clears the goal line after catching a pass from teammate Joe Celis to put Italy on the board before halftime. Wortham held the halftime lead 7-6.

Gladiator Coby Jeffords(10) clears the goal line after catching a pass from teammate Joe Celis to put Italy on the board before halftime. Wortham held the halftime lead 7-6. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ty Fernandez(64) steps out of the Gladiator locker room at halftime to wish the Wortham Bulldog team good luck in the second half.

Italy’s Ty Fernandez(64) steps out of the Gladiator locker room at halftime to wish the Wortham Bulldog team good luck in the second half. (Barry Byers)

Return to story