The International School of Brussels Raiders hold up a trophy after their 34-8 win over the AFNORTH Lions in the DODEA-Europe Division II football championship game in Brussels, Belgium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
BRUSSELS, Belgium – It didn’t take long Friday night for the International School of Brussels to reinforce which team was the strongest this year in DODEA-Europe’s nine-man football league.
The Raiders capped a perfect season with a 34-8 rout of AFNORTH in the title game and then celebrated like champions afterward – storming their endzone, spraying liquid around and hoisting a silver trophy.
The tone was set from the opening kickoff, when the Raiders shut down the Lions’ first drive, stopping them short on fourth down.
Moments later, junior quarterback Max Bell broke through the defense and into the end zone, giving the Raiders an early lead they never surrendered.
An interception by junior Will Feldmayer only increased the momentum.
After two more touchdowns before halftime — including one off a speedy sprint from senior running back Alex Chapman — the Raiders carried a commanding 20-0 lead into the break.
“We talked about how momentum can feel like a rope in your hand; once it starts slipping, they get one touchdown … all of a sudden that rope is slipping out of your hand,” Raiders coach Lee Rosky said of his halftime message. “So, we knew in the third quarter we had to come out … finish it off and keep that momentum.”
AFNORTH Lions junior Eren Avik adjusts his wristband prior to kickoff of the DODEA-Europe nine-man football championships against their hosts, the International School of Brussels Raiders, in Belgium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH Lions junior Sladen Hager, shovel passes the ball to a teammate in the DODEA-Europe nine-man football championship game against the International School of Brussels in Belgium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH Lions quarterback, Sladen Hager, is tackled by the International School of Brussels junior David Valstar in a sweeping championship matchup in Brussels, Belgium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
The International School of Brussels Raiders hosted the AFNORTH Lions in the DODEA-Europe nine-man football championships in Belgium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
International School of Brussels Raiders senior Alex Chapman is contested on a carry by AFNORTH Lions junior Shawn Downs during the DODEA-Europe nine-man football championship game hosted by the Raiders in Belgium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
International School of Brussels Raider Thomas Carrington advances on the AFNORTH Lions defense during a rush carry at the DODEA-Europe nine-man football championship game in Brussels, Belgium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
International School of Brussels junior quarterback Max Ball carries in a touchdown to give the Raiders an early lead against the AFNORTH Lions in the DODEA-Europe nine-man football championship game in Brussels, Belgium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
International School of Brussels junior Will Feldmayer picks off a pass from the AFNORTH Lions quarterback to give the Raiders possession during the DODEA-Europe nine-man football championship game in Brussels, Belgium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
International School of Brussels senior Alex Chapman celebrates a touchdown carry during the nine-man championship game against the AFNORTH Lions in Brussels, Belgium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH Lions senior Davon Jones goes up against the International School of Brussels defense during their championship matchup in Brussels, Belgium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
The International School of Brussels Raiders spray each other to celebrate their 34-8 victory over the AFNORTH Lions in the DODEA-Europe nine-man football championship game in Brussels, Belgium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)
The Raiders’ defense continued to keep the Lions in check. Junior Terry Koo anchored the line, absorbing hit after hit to halt every surge — efforts that earned him Defensive Player of the Game honors.
“I think my personal strength … was that coach taught me that I have to be calmed down and be patient,” Koo said. “That’s what got us here — being very focused and being determined and resilient to the surroundings.”
The Lions’ push came too late, as senior Davon Jones finally crossed into the endzone midway through the fourth quarter, followed by a successful two-point conversion from junior Jackson Lojka to put them on the board at 27-8.
Chapman, who earned top marks for his offensive performance, credited his team’s mantra: Hustle, Hit, Never Quit.
“AFNORTH (is) an amazing team — by far the strongest opponents we went (up against),” Chapman said.
But not strong enough to ruin the Raiders’ postgame celebration.
