Gladiators score important district win over Wortham

Image: Italy’s Hunter Merimon(3) tries to hit the hole created by teammates Aaron Pittmon(72), Kyle Tindol(12), and Ty Fernandez(64) against Wortham.

Italy’s Hunter Merimon(3) tries to hit the hole created by teammates Aaron Pittmon(72), Kyle Tindol(12), and Ty Fernandez(64) against Wortham. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Coby Jeffords(10) takes the handoff from Joe Celis(8), gets a block from Clayton Miller(6) and then looks for the endzone.

Italy’s Coby Jeffords(10) takes the handoff from Joe Celis(8), gets a block from Clayton Miller(6) and then looks for the endzone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s cheerleaders perform a stunt with Britney Chambers high above the action.

Italy’s cheerleaders perform a stunt with Britney Chambers high above the action. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kyle Tindol(12) hangs on to a pass from teammate Joe Celis.

Italy’s Kyle Tindol(12) hangs on to a pass from teammate Joe Celis. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator linebacker Coby Jeffords(10) tips a pass attempt by the Bulldogs.

Gladiator linebacker Coby Jeffords(10) tips a pass attempt by the Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Safety Ryan Connor(7) gets help from Clayton Miller(6) to pull down Wortham’s big tight-end.

Safety Ryan Connor(7) gets help from Clayton Miller(6) to pull down Wortham’s big tight-end. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Clayton Miller(6) tries to get teammate Coby Jeffords(10) the edge against Wortham’s defense.

Italy’s Clayton Miller(6) tries to get teammate Coby Jeffords(10) the edge against Wortham’s defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator defensemen Fabian Cortez(11) and Joe Celis(8) break up a Bulldog pass attempt.

Gladiator defensemen Fabian Cortez(11) and Joe Celis(8) break up a Bulldog pass attempt. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Austin Crawford(55) hurries the Wortham quarterback into throwing an incomplete pass.

Gladiator Austin Crawford(55) hurries the Wortham quarterback into throwing an incomplete pass. (Barry Byers)

Image: Defensive tackle Aaron Pittmon(72) takes down an unsuspecting Bulldog to help safety Jack Hernandez(80) return a pick 33 yards.

Defensive tackle Aaron Pittmon(72) takes down an unsuspecting Bulldog to help safety Jack Hernandez(80) return a pick 33 yards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy cheerleader K’Breona Davis cheers on the Gladiators with a little help from Zac Mercer.

Italy cheerleader K’Breona Davis cheers on the Gladiators with a little help from Zac Mercer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Boyd(15) covers a punt at the Bulldog 1-yard line and receives congratulations from Gladiator teammates Clay Riddle(77) and John Escamilla(50).

Cody Boyd(15) covers a punt at the Bulldog 1-yard line and receives congratulations from Gladiator teammates Clay Riddle(77) and John Escamilla(50). (Barry Byers)

Image: After penning the Bulldogs deep with a punt, freshman punter Gary Escamilla(9) celebrates with fellow freshman Clay Riddle(77).

After penning the Bulldogs deep with a punt, freshman punter Gary Escamilla(9) celebrates with fellow freshman Clay Riddle(77). (Barry Byers)

Image: Coby Jeffords(10) hits the middle and then breaks down Italy’s sideline for a 50 yard run to Wortham’s 4-yard line. The effort by Jeffords set up Italy’s game winning touchdown.

Coby Jeffords(10) hits the middle and then breaks down Italy’s sideline for a 50 yard run to Wortham’s 4-yard line. The effort by Jeffords set up Italy’s game winning touchdown. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator quarterback Joe Celis(8) lunges forward for the go ahead touchdown to give Italy the lead for good with 10:52 remaining in the contest. The scoring effort put Italy up 12-7.

Gladiator quarterback Joe Celis(8) lunges forward for the go ahead touchdown to give Italy the lead for good with 10:52 remaining in the contest. The scoring effort put Italy up 12-7. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Joe Celis(8) rolls out for the conversion try.

Italy’s Joe Celis(8) rolls out for the conversion try. (Barry Byers)

Image: Got it! The pass from Joe Celis is caught by receiver Kyle Tindol(12) for a crucial 2-point conversion, 14-7 Italy.

Got it! The pass from Joe Celis is caught by receiver Kyle Tindol(12) for a crucial 2-point conversion, 14-7 Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator defensive end Cody Boyd(15) secures his first of three sacks in the remaining moments of the fourth-quarter.

Gladiator defensive end Cody Boyd(15) secures his first of three sacks in the remaining moments of the fourth-quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cody Boyd(15) catches Wortham’s quarterback from behind for his second sack of the fourth-quarter.

Italy’s Cody Boyd(15) catches Wortham’s quarterback from behind for his second sack of the fourth-quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: How about back-to-back sacks for Cody Boyd(15) who pulls down Wortham’s quarterback with one hand. Now you’re just showing off, Cody.

How about back-to-back sacks for Cody Boyd(15) who pulls down Wortham’s quarterback with one hand. Now you’re just showing off, Cody. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clayton Miller(6) gets congratulated by teammates after recovering an onside kick. It was no guts no glory time for the Gladiators who took a chance with a 7-point lead.

Clayton Miller(6) gets congratulated by teammates after recovering an onside kick. It was no guts no glory time for the Gladiators who took a chance with a 7-point lead. (Barry Byers)

Image: After the contest, Gladiator head coach Charles Tindol congratulates his players for pulling this one out against Wortham.

After the contest, Gladiator head coach Charles Tindol congratulates his players for pulling this one out against Wortham. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Jon Proud is Gladiator proud after their district win over Wortham, 14-7.

Coach Jon Proud is Gladiator proud after their district win over Wortham, 14-7. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gary Sims from Alabama stands victorious with his Gladiator grandsons John Escamilla(50), a senior, and Gary Escamilla(9), a freshman.

Gary Sims from Alabama stands victorious with his Gladiator grandsons John Escamilla(50), a senior, and Gary Escamilla(9), a freshman. (Barry Byers)

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