NAPLES, Italy -- The Naples Wildcats opened their 2018 DODEA-Europe Division II football season Saturday with a 28-14 victory over the visiting SHAPE Spartans.

The two squads were tied through one quarter and the Wildcats held a narrow six-point halftime lead before pulling away in the second half.

Naples running back Marcus Ariola was dominant throughout, stockpiling 335 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. Teammate Ashton Jeanty scored on a 10-yard run and completed six passes for 72 yards, including a 42-yard strike to Christian Albright.

The win is a particularly valuable one for the Wildcats in an unforgiving Division II season offering just two playoff slots to its seven teams. Naples looks for a 2-0 start Friday against visiting Vicenza, while SHAPE can even its record at home against International School of Brussels.