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The JV Gladiators set the tone for Saturday’s scrimmages against Valley Mills

Barry Byers Italy Gladiator Football

Image: The Italy JV Gladiators make a statement on the first play when left tackle John Byers(56) brings down a Valley Mills Eagle for a loss.

The Italy JV Gladiators make a statement on the first play when left tackle John Byers(56) brings down a Valley Mills Eagle for a loss. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hard-hitting newcomer Hunter Merriman(84) is ready for action.
Image: Italy’s Ryan Connor(15) simulates picking off the ball during pre game warmups.
Image: JV Gladiator Jaray Anderson(40) is ready attack on defense.
Image: Right tackle Colin Newman(72) and teammate Cody Boyd(30) bring down an Eagle runner at the line of scrimmage.
Image: Italy’s John Byers(56) must like the sound of leather popping in the morning as he cages another Eagle back.
Image: Cody Boyd(30) captures an Eagle runner for a big loss to end bringing the first ten offensive plays segment of Valley Mills to a screeching halt.
Image: Italy’s John Byers(56) and Hunter Merriman(84) chase after a fumble in the Eagle backfield.
Image: JV quarterback Ryan Connor(15) gets protection from his fullback and offensive line and completes a pass downfield to receiver Levi McBride.
Image: Levi McBride(85) hauls in the pass from his quarterback Ryan Connor and heads upfield for the first big play of the JV scrimmage against Valley Mills.
Image: Italy’s JV noseguard Justin Robinson(65) and tackle John “Squirt” Hughes(62) knocks a few feathers off an Eagle running back.
Image: Italy’s linebacker Kyle “Catfish” Fortenberry(66) reels in an Eagle back for breakfast during Saturday morning’s scrimmage.
Image: Italy’s JV noseguard Justin Robinson(65) studies the offensive formation of Valley Mills.
Image: Colin Newman(72) is a mighty brick in the JV Gladiator defensive wall.
Image: Italy’s linebacker John Escamilla(54) shoots the gap to bring down the Eagle’s quarterback.
Image: Italy’s Bailey Walton(52) stretches the play and makes the tackle in open field.
Image: Italy’s Jaray Anderson(40) hits the Eagle quarterback in the backfield to force a fluttering incomplete pass.
Image: Quarterback Ryan Connor(15) hands off to Tre Jackson(32), Italy’s version of Jerome “The Bus” Bettis.
Image: Italy’s tailback Jaray Anderson(40) tries to escape the clutches of an Eagle defender.
Image: JV quarterback Ryan Connor(15) gets solid protection from his offensive line and delivers a pass downfield to Cody Boyd who races to the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown.
Image: Tre “The Bus” Jackson(32) sees a matchup he likes after taking the handoff from quarterback Ryan Connor(15).
Image: Italy’s Cody Boyd(30) hauls in a pass then tries to escape the Eagle defense for more yards.
Image: The wheels on “The Bus” go round and round! Tre Jackson(32) keeps going and going for long run deep into Eagle territory.
Image: Coaches bring Italy’s JV squad together at midfield to congratulate them on a job well done.

Italy — On their home field and starting on defense, the Italy JV Gladiators set the tone for the Saturday morning scrimmages against Valley Mills early when right tackle John Byers made a tackle in the Eagle backfield for a loss on the first play of the contest. Left tackle Colin Newman met the next Eagle runner at the line of scrimmage where he manhandled the fledgling Eagle to the ground. The Eagles responded with a first down pass but another tackle by Byers and an Eagle fumble in the backfield helped Italy return Valley Mills to the 30-yard line starting point. Moments later, Cody Boyd tackles an Eagle back for a 7-yard loss to end the 10 play opening offensive segment for Valley Mills.

Italy gets their chance on offense with Kyle Fortenberry at center and Ryan Connor at quarterback. Runs by Jaray Anderson and Tre Jackson draw the Eagle defense in. Connor counters with a long pass completion to receiver Levi McBride for the first big play of the scrimmage. In scoring position, Italy drives down to the goal line but fumbles on the next play to bail the Eagle defense out.

The Eagles get another 10 plays starting on their own 30-yard line. Italy linebacker John Escamilla shoots thru the right A gap to bring the Eagle quarterback down. Bailey Walton tracks down an Eagle back near Italy’s home stands to ignite the crowd. Noseguard Justin Robinson and John Hughes combine to bring down a back with authority. Hunter Merriman catches an Eagle ball carrier from behind to minimize a nice gain by Valley Mills. Anderson applies pressure on the quarterback forcing a hurried pass that falls incomplete. Kyle Fortenberry makes a nice form tackle on the play off the left C gap of Valley Mills. Anderson comes off the edge to hit the quarterback before he can pass causing the Eagle pass attempt to drop like a dead duck. Anderson records a 9-yard sack to end the second 10 play offensive segment for Valley Mills.

Italy begins their final 10 offensive plays with a run up the gut by Jackson. Connor drops back and throws a deep out pattern to cousin Brandon Connor who picks up a devastating block by Merriman to gain additional yardage to the forty-two of Valley Mills. Italy’s next two runs result in a loss of 5-yards. Undiscouraged, R. Connor drops back and hits Boyd in stride who races all the way to complete a 47-yard touchdown pass play. Italy picks up a first down after two runs by Jackson and R. Connor to end the JV scrimmage on a positive note for Italy, clipping the Eagles 1-0.

Go Italy!