After roughing up one another in two-a-days practices over the past two weeks, the Italy Gladiators Varsity and JV teams were allowed to take their hostilities out on the Blooming Grove Lions. There were plenty of big hits and big plays from both sides, but most importantly, the Gladiators had a chance to shake the rust off their gold helmets. It has begun…
The Italy Gladiators Varsity and JV football teams will scrimmage the Blooming Grove Lions Saturday starting at 10:00 a.m. in Italy at Willis Field. Fans are asked to donate a white towel toward the Gladiator cause.
The first week of two-a-days for the Gladiators has come to an end, but not without having a little contact before the weekend.
The Italy Gladiators are gearing up for a run at the District Championship with two-a-day practices beginning this week. Head Coach Craig Bales has his full coaching staff from last season and has his players thirsty for the title.
This weeks Gladiator Football Camp gave the best young talent from the area a chance to sharpen their skills under the tutelage of Italy High School Head Football Coach Craig Bales and his staff.
It’s 4th down with 1-yard to go for the winning touchdown, break the huddle with confidence this season knowing you and your teammates have already earned this score with summer workouts and by participating in the Gladiator Football Camp 2009.
We knew they would be better. We knew they would be good. After witnessing Italy in action during the 7-on-7 all passing league Thursday at Willis Field, we can now expect the Italy Gladiators to be great next season.
The Italy Gladiators Athletic Department has been hosting a 7-on-7 summer passing league this summer. Varsity and J.V. have been mixed together as they competed against Palmer, Rio Vista, Ferris and Blooming Grove. Italy’s final challenge will be today, Thursday, June 25, at 6:00 p.m. in Italy.
There are no helmets or pads at this event but the summer league football team is having fun. This is not officially the varsity squad from Italy but most of these guys have previously played for the team. The team is made up of 9th-11th graders from IHS and coached by Pastor Todd Gray of Central Baptist of Italy.
District 21-A
ITASCA — The Italy 7th grade football team ended their successful 2008 season unfortunately with a loss to the Itasca Wampus Cats 6-0. Italy finished in second place behind Axtel. A classic defensive battle relied on a busted play to determine the outcome in this one.
ITALY, Texas – Italy High School honored their Senior football players, cheerleaders and band members before Italy’s final game of the season against the undefeated Itasca Wampus Cats. The game becomes an instant classic!
DAWSON, Texas — Diamond Rodgers led his team mates into battle carrying a sacred golden flag as the Italy Gladiators stormed into the Dawson Bulldogs’ stadium looking for a win.
ITALY, Texas — Hard hits and big plays defined this contest between old rivals as a late touchdown grab by #84 Paul Harris gives Italy a chance.
MERIDIAN, Texas — Cody Medrano leads the way on defense as Italy’s high powered offense was unstoppable against Meridian.
ITALY — The Italy Gladiators steam rolled over the Wortham Bulldogs 39-0 on Friday night for their homecoming game. Italy hit the field ready for the contest and never let up until the final buzzer.
HUBBARD — Trying new plays paid off for the Italy Gladiators Friday night with a 28-8 win over the Hubbard Jaguars. Quarterback Jasenio Anderson led the Gladiators with 109 yards rushing and 163 yards passing. He hit his receivers 10 of 13 for 141 yards in the first half alone.
Life Charter found it difficult to contain Justin Buchanan Thursday night at Willis field. Buchanan racked up 76 yards rushing and 192 yards passing. With only 12 players, Italy had their work cut out for them and would have to play both ways with little or no relief. They handled the challenge and proved they would do whatever it takes to bring home the victory.
Italy hosted Hubbard on Thursday night and the game went down to the wire, but Italy lost in the final seconds 20-12.
ITALY – The Gladiators looked like a different team than the one that smothered Frost two weeks ago. This week’s team added a loss in their district column when the Axtell Longhorns came to Willis Field and took home the 18-13 win on Friday night. Italy was inactive last week which could have been a factor in the contest.
Italy’s 7th and 8th grade Gladiator teams defeated the Hawks from Red Oak and the Frost Polar Bears to add a win to each of their records.
FROST — The Italy Gladiators came away with their second win of the season Friday night with a 40-7 win over the Frost Polar Bears. Clay Major led the Gladiators with 79 yards on five carries and three of them for touchdowns.
The Milford Bulldogs ran their record to 4 and 0 on the year with a 46 to zero Homecoming victory Friday night.
The Italy Gladiators gave their hometown fans their money’s worth and more on Friday night when they beat the Malakoff Tigers 33-8. Italy played as a team and dominated their opponent on both sides of the ball which made the game of football look easy.
PALMER — Last Thursday night the Italy 7th grade, 8th grade and Junior Varsity traveled to Palmer to take on the Bulldogs. At the end of the night Italy came home with one victory, one loss and one tie.
The 2008 football season has begun. These team photos and the schedules below introduce this year’s IHS Gladiators and the times and places they will do battle. Come out and support them — the strength of faithful fans can be felt on the field.
ITALY, Texas — The Palmer Bulldogs (2-1) traveled to Italy (0-3) Friday night and chalked up their first win of the season by defeating the Gladiators 19-7. Palmer kept Italy scoreless until late in the fourth quarter when Jasenio Anderson hit Desmond Anderson with a 14 yard touchdown pass.
Chilton – The Italy Gladiators traveled to Chilton on Friday night to take on the Pirates and almost gave them more than they could handle. Chilton chalked up a 28-26 win, but the outcome would have been different if an Italy TD had not been called back due to a questionable ineligible receiver penalty.
ITALY – Thursday night the JV Gladiators played host to Chilton in a game that was dominated by the Pirate’s defense. The Gladiator offense was held at bay making only two trips into Chilton territory the entire contest. The Pirates blanked Italy 22-0, handing the Gladiators their second straight loss. It was a slow and sluggish start for both teams with bad snaps, mishandled balls, turnovers, and several penalties.
The Maypearl Panthers held the Italy Gladiators scoreless in the second half of their home opener Friday night to boast a 27 -13 win. At the half, the Gladiators had a 13-7 lead over the Panthers, but that did not last long. Maypearl played with determination and force to find the end zone three times in the second half.
In their opening game on Thursday night at Willis Field, the Italy Junior Varsity held an 8-6 lead over Maypearl until D.J. Crownover powered 56 yards into the end zone with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Ethan Eastwood’s successful 2 point conversion gave the Panthers a 14-8 win over the Gladiators.
