RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – An opponent finally found the end zone against the Ramstein Royals on Saturday. A formula for full-fledged victory remains elusive.

Ramstein beat the visiting Kaiserslautern Raiders 45-13, outlasting their archrival and improving to 3-0 on the season.

Though they arrived and departed without a win this season, the Raiders did find some reasons for optimism as they search for a path to the Division I postseason.

Ramstein scored early on a pair of scored by running back Ben Ciero, a familiar opening salvo that set the pace for runaway shutout wins in the Royals’ first two games.

But Kaiserslautern wouldn’t play the patsy. Quarterback Bridger Hawkins ran in from 6 yards out and found receiver Jamarcus Myles on a 22-yard touchdown pass to pull the Raiders within a point at 14-13. Ciero provided the Royals a bit more cushion with a 1-yard score with five seconds to play before halftime.

Kaiserslautern couldn’t manage the same success in the second half. Ciero, who finished with 192 yards on the day, ran in his fourth touchdown and Nile McIntosh took off on a sprawling 46-yard touchdown scamper to push the Royals far in front.

Malik Jackson picked up a fumble and delivered it to the end zone for another insurance score.

Dominik Kubas converted all six of his extra-point attempts and made a 39-yard field goal for the Royals.

The Royals now head to a championship-game rematch, and possible championship-game preview, at Wiesbaden on Friday.

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