Waxahachie — Gladiator Nation rolled into Waxahachie Friday night to support the 1A Italy Gladiators during their matchup with the Malakoff Tigers as part of the 2013 2nd Annual Dale Hansen Football Classic which featured three high school football games over a two day span. In this article are additional action photos from Italy’s game that kicked off the Classic with Dale Hansen himself on site to enjoy the festivities with the teams and fans.

Malakoff got the win but Italy used the event to better learn their new system under first-year AD/HFC Charles Tindol and test their skills against a bigger 2A school. Despite the uphill battle, Italy’s players turned in several highlight plays and learned a few lessons that will surely help them as they prepare for their district competition. In addition to the game, the Gladiator Regiment Band and Color Guard dazzled fans with their halftime performance themed, “The war between the states,” as drum majors Alexis Sampley and Emily Stiles kept the troops marching forward.

The Italy High School Cheerleaders led by captain Taylor Turner kept the spirit going on the sidelines with mascot Noelia Garcia providing thrills and gifts for the little ones. The Classic is a unique event that’s certainly exciting to experience. Most importantly, Italy’s players exited Stuart B. Lumpkins Stadium with their overall health in tact, having to deal with just a few dings here and their on their armor.

The Gladiators now look ahead to 2A Sunnyvale with Italy traveling to Sunnyvale tomorrow for their 3rd game of the season starting at 7:30 p.m.

Go Italy!