It’s a celebration, Gladiators hoist area championship trophy high!

Barry Byers Posted November 26, 2012 5:00pm Additional Images

Image: Senior Gladiators Cole Hopkins(9), Zackery Boykin(55) and Adrian Reed(64) lead team Italy onto the field of battle against Valley View for the area championship as IHS cheerleader K’Breona Davis and squad mates welcome their guys. — Senior Gladiators Cole Hopkins(9), Zackery Boykin(55) and Adrian Reed(64) lead team Italy onto the field of battle against Valley View for the area championship as IHS cheerleader K’Breona Davis and squad mates welcome their guys. (Barry Byers)

Bedford — With Italy’s Marvin Cox returning an interception 94 yards for a touchdown on the game’s final play, the players and coaches, the cheerleaders, band members and their fans began the celebration as the Gladiators and head coach Hank Hollywood were presented the area championship trophy at midfield.

Italy will take on Honey Grove in neutral Wills Point on Friday, November 30, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Go Gladiators

Seniors Ryheem Walker(10), Chase Hamilton(2), Zackery Boykin(55) and Adrian Reed(64) salute the flag before causing the Eagles to see stars. (Barry Byers)

Brandon Connor(77), John Escamilla(56) and Kevin Roldan(60) display unity during the coin toss. (Barry Byers)

Zain Byers(50) gets buckled up for battle against Valley View with jersey numbers of injured teammates written on his wrist tape for inspiration. (Barry Byers)

Gladiators Cody Medrano(75), Kyle Fortenberry(66), Zain Byers(50), Zackery Boykin(55) and Hunter Merimon(45) prepare for the opening kickoff. (Barry Byers)

Offensive tackle Cody Medrano(75) awaits the snap from teammate and center Zain Byers(50). (Barry Byers)

Gladiator defensive tackle Reid Jacinto(11), a senior, is poised for the attack. (Barry Byers)

Chase Hamilton(2) makes the play as teammate Eric Carson(12) uses his athleticism and avoids a late hit by flying into the Eagle sideline. (Barry Byers)

The Gladiator Regiment Band prepares to entertain Italy fans during halftime. (Barry Byers)

The drumline is having fun as Reagan Adams, on the cymbals, keeps the group smiling. (Barry Byers)

Cheerleaders Ashlyn Jacinto and Britney Chambers are enjoying the playoff atmosphere. (Barry Byers)

Jalarnce Lewis(21) and Shad Newman(25) latch on to an Eagle runner, Cole Seese(7). (Barry Byers)

Old eagle eye, Hunter Merimon(45), spots a false start by the Eagles and alerts the officials. (Barry Byers)

Gladiator Colin Newman is proud of his teammates. (Barry Byers)

Jaclynn Lewis fought off the chill in the air and the Gladiators won the fight against Valley View. (Barry Byers)

Jalarnce Lewis(21) holds the area championship trophy with pride. (Barry Byers)

Shad Newman(25) displays the Area Championship trophy as the final score glows in the background. (Barry Byers)

Levi McBride(85) and Justin Robbins(54) show off the area championship trophy claimed by the Gladiators after defeating Valley View in Bedford. (Barry Byers)

Gladiators Cody Boyd(15) and John Hughes(62) stand with the area championship trophy after Italy’s victory. (Barry Byers)

D.J. Hollywood, son of Gladiator head coach Hank Hollywood, displays the team’s area championship trophy proudly. (Barry Byers)

Gladiator Eric Carson(12) had a big hand in helping Italy claim the 2012 area championship. (Barry Byers)

Misty Escamilla with her Gladiator, John “J.T.” Escamilla(56), together with the area championship trophy. (Barry Byers)

Monserrat Figueroa and Ryheem Walker(10) enjoy the moment with Italy claiming the area championship. (Barry Byers)

Proud seniors Chase Hamilton(2) and Adrian Reed(64) with the area championship trophy as the final score reflects off the sculpture, Gladiators 35 and Eagles 14. (Barry Byers)