TheAthletics Department.com has posted the 2015-2016 UIL Football All-District 10-2A Division II list.

The Italy Gladiators had 5 players receive All-District accolades with senior Clayton Miller earning District 10-2A’s Defensive MVP Award. Miller recorded 103 tackles (92 solo) to average 10.3 tackles per game. He had 1 fumble recovery and caused 3 fumbles to go along with 8 pass deflections.

Miller also received Second-Team Wide-Receiver honors after making a couple of game-saving catches for Italy during their district campaign. Offensively, Miller recorded 13 catches for 220 yards to average 16.9 yards per catch. His longest catch covered 22 yards.

Sophomore Clay Riddle was a First-Team All-District Defensive Tackle selection for the second consecutive season. He led the D-line by recording 67 tackles (61 solos) to average 7.4 tackles per game, recovered 1 fumble and caused 2 fumbles. Riddle also earned First-Team All-District Offensive Lineman honors.

Junior Gladiator Joe Celis earned First-Team Tight End and First-Team All-District Inside Linebacker honors. On defense, he led the Gladiator defense with 111 solo tackles to average 11.1 tackles per game and recorded 1 pick, had 3 pass deflections, recovered 1 fumble and caused 1 fumble. On offense, Celis caught 8 passes for 48 yards to average 6 yards per catch and rushed for 1 touchdown.

Fabian Cortez, also a junior, earned First-Team All-District honors as a fearless, hard-hitting Outside Linebacker despite being just 5’,9" and 160 pounds. He recorded 83 solo tackles to average 9.2 tackles per game, had 8 pass deflections and caused 2 fumbles.

Senior quarterback Ryan Connor stepped up for the offense this past season to lead the Gladiators to a 6-1 district record as the 2015 District 10-2A Runner-up behind Hubbard. Connor helped reestablish the guys in gold as a force to reckon with by returning them to the playoffs while receiving Second-Team All-District Quarterback honors for his efforts.

Connor completed 26-of-39 passes for 189 yards to average 7.3 yards per completion. He threw for 1 touchdown and finished with a quarterback rating of 86.4. Connor also rushed 22 times for 109 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Honorable Mention All-District Gladiators Were:

Offensive Line:

Running Backs:

Defensive Line:

Linebackers:

Secondary:

Special Teams:

Congratulations to Athletic Director/Head Coach David Weaver and his staff of Daniel Weaver – Offensive Coordinator, Bobby Campbell – Defensive Coordinator, Sean Connor – Defensive Coordinator, Larry Mayberry – Assistant Coach, David Ervin – Assistant Coach, Michael Blake – Assistant Coach, and Jackie Cate – Assistant Coach for getting the program pointed in the right direction in such a short period of time.

In addition to being the District Runner-up, Italy finished the season as Bi-District Finalists with an overall 6-5 record.

Italy Gladiators 2015 Varsity Roster:

Italy Gladiators 2015 Junior Varsity Roster:

2015-2016 Varsity Cheerleaders:

Cheer Coaches: Mrs. Chambers and Mrs. Hampton

2015-2016 Gladiator Regiment Band Leaders:

Band Director: Jesus Perez (10th year)
Assistant Band Director: David Graves
Drum Majors: Vanessa Cantu, Antonia Salazar
Band Captains: Ty Hamilton (Woodwind), Amber Hooker (Brass), Brenya Williams (Drumline), and Christy Murray (Front Ensamble)
Color Guard Sponsor: Denise Graves
Color Guard: Kayla Cunningham (Captain), Sarah Burrow, Paige Cunningham, Zoe Hall and Kylee Dabney

Italy High School Administrators:
Superintendent: Jamie Velasco
High School Principal: Lee Joffre
Assistant High School Principal: Eric Janszen

Go Gladiators! Great Season!!