The two schools in the Kaiserslautern Military Community won’t be playing when the Division I football playoffs open in a few weeks. That’s because they have both clinched first-round byes.
Kaiserslautern clinched the second seed with a 14-3 win over Stuttgart Friday evening at Stuttgart High School, knocking the defending champion Panthers out of a tie for second behind unbeaten Ramstein. The Raiders and Royals host the winners of first-round games Oct. 26.
Defense once again was key for the Raiders (3-1).
Garrett Vitter proved to be a menace from the defensive line. The sophomore sacked the Panthers’ quarterback three times, forced and recovered a fumble, and even batted down a pass.
Joshua Kim picked off two passes, and Sevastian Quiles recorded an interception.
Kaiserslautern did just enough on offense to make those turnover count.
Quarterback Rueben Todman and Aaron Potter connected on a 36-yard touchdown. Potter, a senior receiver, totaled 86 yards.
Todman passed for 138 yards and added another 55 yards on the ground.
Noah Worthington had 81 yards rushing and a touchdown for the Raiders.
The Raiders finish the regular season with a home game against Lakenheath on Oct. 4, while the Panthers (2-2) travel to Vilseck the same day.
Ramstein 36, Lakenheath 7: The Royals clinched a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a big win across the English Channel against the Lancers on Friday evening.
Senior Kydan Echard had himself yet another day on both sides of the ball. He scampered for 156 yards on 18 carries and scored a touchdown. Then, defensively, the senior totaled seven tackles – two for a loss – and a sack.
Nate Rutlege rushed the ball just six times for 24 yards, but the senior running back made them count by reaching the end zone twice.
Quarterback Michael Gonzales had an efficient day through the air, going 13 of 16 for 147 yards and a score.
Christian Roy paced the receiving corps with seven receptions for 64 yards and touchdown, while Shaun Young produced 60 yards and a score on four grabs. Caden Nims added 31 yards on four catches.
Defensively, Javier Harrington continued to dominate opposing defenses. The junior amassed 10 tackles, two for a loss, and added two sacks.
Chris Farrington chipped in with eight tackles, one for a loss, and one sack.
Brett Monson, a junior, force and recovered a fumble.
The Royals host Wiesbaden on Oct. 4, while the Lancers end the regular season at Kaiserslautern.
Wiesbaden 21, Vilseck 16: The Warriors’ defense stepped up in the second half to defeat the Falcons at home Friday evening.
Standing up to Vilseck’s running game, Wiesbaden (2-2) gave up zero points in the second half.
Senior Munro Davis amassed 14 tackles, while teammate Chris Edwards sealed the win with an interception late in the game.
The Warriors finish the regular season with a road date at Ramstein on Oct. 4. Vilseck (0-4) hosts Stuttgart the same day.
Division II/III
Spangdahlem 46, Ansbach 6: The Sentinels picked up their second consecutive win to open up the season in a rout of the Cougars.
Spangdahlem (2-0) jumped out to an 18-point first-quarter lead, thanks to a pair of touchdowns and a safety. That advantage ballooned to 28 points by halftime.
An Ansbach score after the break only delayed the inevitable, as a touchdown and a two-point conversation kicked in the mercy rule with 9 minutes, 24 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Sentinels travel to SHAPE on Oct. 5, while the Cougars (0-2) head to International School of Brussels on Oct. 4.
ISB 20, AFNORTH 0: The Raiders took care of business on the road in a victory over the Lions on Friday evening.
All three touchdowns by ISB (2-1) came on the ground. Quarterback Max Ball scored a pair, while running back Alex Chapman added the third.
AFNORTH (1-2) heads to Spangdahlem on Oct. 19 after two weeks off, while ISB finishes its regular season on Oct. 4 against Ansbach at home.
Division III
Sigonella 45, Brussels 0: The Jaguars clinched the top seed in the Division III playoffs with a big win at the Brigands on Saturday.
Sigonella (4-0) awaits the fourth seed, with the two teams squaring off Oct. 19. Brussels (3-1), meanwhile, heads to Baumholder for both squads’ regular-season finale on Oct. 4.
Information on Alconbury-Baumholder was not available by 10 p.m. CET Sunday.