NAPLES, Italy – The Naples Wildcats knocked the archrival Vicenza Cougars from the ranks of the Division II unbeaten Saturday with a hard-fought 32-26 victory.

Chris Greene totaled 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns and backfield partner Ty’Rick Riggins piled up 127 yards and two touchdowns to lead Naples to the mild upset. Kory McKinney added a 14-yard touchdown.

The Wildcats came into the game at 1-2, but those losses came in respectable showings to unbeaten powers Ansbach and Hohenfels. On Saturday, they got a third shot at a Division II frontrunner. They cashed in on this opportunity, forcing a late fumble and running out the clock to secure the needed win.

Bezzy Calunggay led the Cougars with eight tackles, while Wayne White had seven and Max Monnard added six.

Vicenza scoring information and statistics were not availble.

Though both teams are likely postseason qualifiers, Saturday’s result could set the two Italian schools on opposite paths to the playoffs. Vicenza will try to dodge taking a losing streak to the postseason with a tough Friday-night matchup against defending champion Hohenfels next weekend; Naples will play host to fellow 2-2 squad Aviano on Saturday in a game with major implications under Division II’s new points-based playoff system.

Migrated