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Ramstein's Caleb Guerrido, center, breaks away from Kaiserslautern's Bernard Burwell, left, and Robert Grant for a big gain in Ramstein's 23-7 win over the Raiders in Kaiserslautern on Saturday.

Ramstein's Caleb Guerrido, center, breaks away from Kaiserslautern's Bernard Burwell, left, and Robert Grant for a big gain in Ramstein's 23-7 win over the Raiders in Kaiserslautern on Saturday. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Ramstein's Caleb Guerrido, center, breaks away from Kaiserslautern's Bernard Burwell, left, and Robert Grant for a big gain in Ramstein's 23-7 win over the Raiders in Kaiserslautern on Saturday.

Ramstein's Caleb Guerrido, center, breaks away from Kaiserslautern's Bernard Burwell, left, and Robert Grant for a big gain in Ramstein's 23-7 win over the Raiders in Kaiserslautern on Saturday. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Kaiserslautern's Robert Grant scampers upfield for a big gain against Ramstein in the two teams' season-opener. Visting Ramstein won 23-7.

Kaiserslautern's Robert Grant scampers upfield for a big gain against Ramstein in the two teams' season-opener. Visting Ramstein won 23-7. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - The defending European D-I champion Ramstein Royals might have found some plugs for the holes left by the departure of seven All-Europe selections from last year’s team if Saturday’s 23-7 victory over cross-town rival Kaiserslautern is any indication.

Caleb Guerrido ran 19 times for 129 yards and a TD; Nick Nixon rushed 23 times for 117 yards; John Groteleuschen carried the ball 16 times for 60 yards and two touchdowns; and Blake Fouole kicked a 35-yard field goal.

The teams were tied 7-7 at halftime, but Ramstein scored on its opening drive of the third quater, and nagging injuries hamstrung K-town’s hopes, according to Red Raiders coach Tom Burriss.

“They overpowered us,” he said by telephone Saturday. “We ran out of players.”

Josh Frye scored Kaiserslautern’s TD on a 6-yard run in the second quarater.

Ramstein is to host Lakenheath on Saturday; Kaiserslautern is scheduled to entertain Division I newcomer Filton.

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