Spangdahlem senior Cordrick Sago splits the Alconbury defense on a 70-yd run for a touchdown, Nov. 7, 2025, in Spangdahlem, Germany. Sago was named the 2025 DODEA-Europe six-man football championship MVP. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
SPANGDAHLEM, Germany — The Spangdahlem Sentinels entered the DODEA-Europe Division III football championship game as the odds-on favorite after a dominating regular season in the squad’s return to six-man football.
The Alconbury Dragons, appearing in their second championship game in as many years, fought hard to make it a heated contest on a chilly Friday night, but the Sentinels did enough to wrap up the season and bring home the crown with a 28-13 victory.
Spangdahlem established dominance early by forcing a three-and-out before charging down the field on its opening drive with a 70-yard breakaway run from senior Cordrick Sago.
The Dragons looked poised to answer, but an interception by junior Caleb Jackson reversed Alconbury’s momentum and set Spangdahlem up for another score on a 22-yard run by senior Mason Knight.
Alconbury didn’t get too much production on the ground early on, but the passing combination of seniors Grant Cumming and Jacob Stuhler kept the chains moving.
The Dragons started to sputter after a couple of incomplete passes, but a critical pass interference in the endzone gave Alconbury a fresh set of downs. Alconbury capitalized with a 6-yard run from Stuhler to make it a one-score game going into halftime.
“Our energy was getting down, and we were kind of just being complacent,” Sentinel quarterback Zander Doulder said. “We just needed to get more energy.”
Spangdahlem must have supercharged its batteries in the locker room, because it marched down the field on the opening drive of the second-half, converting on a 41-yard run from Sago to pull ahead 22-7.
“When they scored first in the second half, that hurt and we didn’t answer it fast enough,” Alconbury coach Steve Casner said. “It never got away, but it never got close again after that.”
Alconbury senior Josiah Garner returns a kick during the DODEA-Europe six-man football championship, Nov. 7, 2025, in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Sentinel senior Mason Knight scores a touchdown during the DODEA-Europe six-man football championship game, Nov. 7, 2025, in Spangdahlem, Germany. Spangdahlem beat Alconbury 28-13. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Spangdahlem's Cordrick Sago tackles Alconbury's Jacob Stuhler at the end of a run during the DODEA-Europe six-man football championship game, Nov. 7, 2025, in Spangdahlem, Germany. Spangdahlem won their second six-man title in three years. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Sentinel senior Isaac Espinoza crosses the goalline after a catch during the DODEA-Europe six-man football championship, Nov. 7, 2025, in Spangdahlem, Germany. Spangdahlem beat Alconbury 28-13. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Alconbury senior Josiah Garner jumps to catch a pass during the DODEA-Europe six-man football championship, Nov. 7, 2025, in Spangdahlem, Germany. Garner scored on the play. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Spangdahlem's Zander Doulder tackles Alconbury's Josiah Garner, Nov. 7, 2025, in Spangdahlem, Germany, during the DODEA-Europe six-man football championship game. Spangdahlem won 28-13. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Spangdahlem sophomore Noah Aubuchon runs the ball against Alconbury during the DODEA-Europe six-man football championship, Nov. 7, 2025, in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Alconbury senior Jacob Stuhler throws a pass during the six-man football championship game, Nov. 7, 2025, in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Spangdahlem widened the lead late in the third quarter on a Doulder connection with senior Isaac Espinoza.
The Dragons managed to score one more time on a 21-yd catch-and-run from senior Josiah Garner, but ultimately it wasn’t enough.
“Alconbury is a formative team, and they’ve got players that are dogs, so we had to match that and go and succeed,” Sago said after being named the offensive and overall game MVP.
It’s a strong start for first-year Spangdahlem head coach Aaron Wells, who said coaching six-man football after years of experience with 11-man football has been an unusual but rewarding experience.
“I wanted to be around a great group of guys, which is exactly what this team is,” Wells said. “I’m really proud that all of these guys bought into what we wanted to do, and it’s really just a testament to them and a great team — it’s fantastic.”
