Italy Gladiators show promise under new leadership of AD/HFC David Weaver

Image: The Italy Gladiator Football Program is under new leadership with first-year athletic director and head coach David Weaver at the reigns. With a renewed team spirit and total commitment from his players, everyone backing the old gold and white can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Pictured are Gladiators Clay Riddle(50) and David De La Hoya(75) along with their teammates before taking the field against the visiting Maypearl Panthers in week two.

The Italy Gladiator Football Program is under new leadership with first-year athletic director and head coach David Weaver at the reigns. With a renewed team spirit and total commitment from his players, everyone backing the old gold and white can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Pictured are Gladiators Clay Riddle(50) and David De La Hoya(75) along with their teammates before taking the field against the visiting Maypearl Panthers in week two. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ready to run with the new flags!

Ready to run with the new flags! (Barry Byers)

Image: The Italy High School Cheerleaders keep fans motivated with the start of the second-half.

The Italy High School Cheerleaders keep fans motivated with the start of the second-half. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator and senior tailback Hunter Merimon(3) drags Panther defenders behind him as he inches forward.

Gladiator and senior tailback Hunter Merimon(3) drags Panther defenders behind him as he inches forward. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator quarterback Ryan Connor(7) rolls out looking for a receiver against the Panther defense.

Senior Gladiator quarterback Ryan Connor(7) rolls out looking for a receiver against the Panther defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator and senior receiver Clayton Miller(6) hauls in a pass and then turns up field with Panthers closing in.

Gladiator and senior receiver Clayton Miller(6) hauls in a pass and then turns up field with Panthers closing in. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator and sophomore Defensive tackle Clay Riddle(50) helps bring down a Maypearl running back.

Gladiator and sophomore Defensive tackle Clay Riddle(50) helps bring down a Maypearl running back. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator defender Fabian Cortez(11) catches a Panther by the tail.

Gladiator defender Fabian Cortez(11) catches a Panther by the tail. (Barry Byers)

Image: These three march to the beat of a different drummer.

These three march to the beat of a different drummer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Fullback Dylan McCasland(81) is nimble as he maneuvers his way forward for positive yards against Maypearl.

Gladiator Fullback Dylan McCasland(81) is nimble as he maneuvers his way forward for positive yards against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Gladiator Kevin Johnson(13) makes another tackle on special teams.

Italy Gladiator Kevin Johnson(13) makes another tackle on special teams. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator and senior running back Jaray Anderson(21) uses offensive tackle David De La Hoya(75) as a shield against Maypearl.

Gladiator and senior running back Jaray Anderson(21) uses offensive tackle David De La Hoya(75) as a shield against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator lineman Austin Crawford(56) ties up a Maypearl defender as Italy punts the ball away.

Senior Gladiator lineman Austin Crawford(56) ties up a Maypearl defender as Italy punts the ball away. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore defensive tackle Clay Riddle(50) pressures Maypearl’s quarterback.

Sophomore defensive tackle Clay Riddle(50) pressures Maypearl’s quarterback. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiators Micah Escamilla(4) gets a helping forearm from teammate Fabian Cortez(11) as the twosome drag down a Maypearl running back.

Gladiators Micah Escamilla(4) gets a helping forearm from teammate Fabian Cortez(11) as the twosome drag down a Maypearl running back. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy HS Cheerleader Hannah Haight also participates during the halftime show for the Gladiator Regiment Band.

Italy HS Cheerleader Hannah Haight also participates during the halftime show for the Gladiator Regiment Band. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Gladiator Regiment Band member Mikey South gives a quick wave to his parents Mike and Tessa South.

Italy Gladiator Regiment Band member Mikey South gives a quick wave to his parents Mike and Tessa South. (Barry Byers)

Image: April Lusk is in the zone during the halftime show performed by the Italy Gladiator Regiment Band.

April Lusk is in the zone during the halftime show performed by the Italy Gladiator Regiment Band. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ty Hamilton can play the sax like nobody’s business!

Ty Hamilton can play the sax like nobody’s business! (Barry Byers)

Image: Pom-poms with attitude! Our cheerleaders are as tough as our team. Grace Haight, Jozie Perkins and Haylee Turner expect everyone to cheer….and I mean everyone!

Pom-poms with attitude! Our cheerleaders are as tough as our team. Grace Haight, Jozie Perkins and Haylee Turner expect everyone to cheer….and I mean everyone! (Barry Byers)

Image: The Italy HS Cheerleaders the band and the fans prepare for the fourth-quarter against Maypearl.

The Italy HS Cheerleaders the band and the fans prepare for the fourth-quarter against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Assistant Gladiator Football coach Jackie Cate is dying to put on a helmet and get into the game. Just like the old days.

Assistant Gladiator Football coach Jackie Cate is dying to put on a helmet and get into the game. Just like the old days. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator defenders Micah Escamilla(4) and Clay Riddle combine for a tackle in Maypearl’s backfield.

Gladiator defenders Micah Escamilla(4) and Clay Riddle combine for a tackle in Maypearl’s backfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Go Italy!

Go Italy! (Barry Byers)

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