NAPLES, Italy -- The Rota Admirals launched their season Saturday with a solid 27-12 victory over the host Naples Wildcats.

Rota, the 2015 European runner-up and a preseason favorite to do at least as much this fall, steadily pulled away from a Wildcat team coming off a winless campaign. The Admirals pulled ahead 13-6 through one quarter and saw their lead trimmed to eight entering the fourth before securing the victory.

Sam Gallardo completed nine of his 11 passing attempts for 162 yards and a touchdown and added 50 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground. Jake Anderson posted 99 all-purpose yards and caught a touchdown, Austin Curtice caught three balls for 91 yards and Marc Magwood starred on both ends, collecting 82 rushing yards and a touchdown on offense and tying teammate Andy Drake with a team-high 11 tackles.

Terrell Staten and KC Evans scored a touchdown apiece for Naples.