ROTA, Spain -- The Rota Admirals entered the season determined to rejoin the DODEA-Europe Division II football elite. They didn't take long to get there.

Rota blanked the defending champion Aviano Saints 27-0 on Saturday to open its 2019 campaign, one it hopes plays out far differently from the injury-ravaged 2018 season that knocked the former title-game mainstay a rung down the D-II ladder.

Wes Penta paced the Admiral offense with a diversely productive afternoon. Penta rushed 15 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns, threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Gavin McDevitt and even tacked on two extra points.

The Admirals defense frustrated the Saints throughout, combining for six team sacks in a dominant shutout effort. Joshua Holz led the way with 11 tackles, Alex Bozwell added 10 tackles and Ygnacio Reyes nabbed an interception for Rota.