MONS, Belgium -- The newly-combined team from AFNORTH and Brussels recorded a moral victory simply by taking the field on Saturday.

But the SHAPE Spartans took the one that counts in the standings.

SHAPE blanked the AFNORTH/Brussels squad 31-0 in each team's DODDS-Europe Division II season opener, weathering a storm of blitzes from their eager rivals to post a methodical win.

Trey Kirklen rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns to spearhead SHAPE's attack.

Spartans coach Jay Bodine was pleased with his team's effort. But he lauded the work done on the other sideline by co-coaches Greg Blankenship of AFNORTH and Tim Mobley of Brussels. The two programs were merged this week, saving both teams from forfeiting their respective seasons due to a lack of available players.

"They should be commended for taking two teams with very little time and getting them ready," Bodine said.

Migrated