Raider quarterback Rueben Todman looks downfield as he scrambles during a game against Ramstein on Sept. 15, 2023, at Babers Stadium in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Royal defender Kydan Echard chases Todman on the play. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Kaiserslautern’s Rueben Todman collected the snap and rolled out to his right with seconds remaining and his team down three points against archrival Ramstein.

The junior signal caller, who just months ago played for the Royals baseball team, surveyed his options from behind the Ramstein 15-yard line. He had a post and a corner route, and Todman needed to see which of the two were open.

That option turned out to be Aaron Potter on the corner. The junior wideout caught the pass from Todman and waltzed into the end zone as time expired to give the Raiders a 27-24 victory at Kaiserslautern High School’s Babers Stadium.

“It was the last play, so I knew I had to do something,” Potter said. “I trusted my players and myself, and it worked out.”

The play capped off a come-from-behind victory for the Raiders (1-1), who trailed throughout after a fumble on the opening kickoff led to a 32-yard field goal by Ramstein kicker Kenneth Spicer.

Until the final play, that is.

“It’s great to get a hard-fought victory over our local rival here,” Raider coach Duke Allen said.

The last play heroics almost didn’t happen.

The Royals (1-1) celebrated when they tackled Todman on a scramble with about 7 seconds remaining and the Raiders having no timeouts. The clock on the scoreboard hit 0.0, with everyone in the stands believing the game had ended.

An injured Raider, though, caused the referees to stop the clock with seconds remaining, Allen said. That allowed Kaiserslautern to get set for the final play, and Todman completed his hot streak for the drive, where he went 5 of 7 for 68 yards through the air and another seven on the ground.

“I knew that their corner on the outside had been biting and shifting,” Todman, who finished the game 14-of-28 passing for 222 yards and three touchdowns, said of the play. “So, that corner spot would be open. It was all about if I would be able to get it there because I knew if I got it there, Aaron was going to make that catch.”

Ramstein wide receiver Eric Manuel strolls into the end zone after catching a pass from quarterback Caden Nims during the second quarter of the Royals' mathup with Kaiserslautern on Sept. 15, 2023, at Babers Stadium in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Diving at his legs is Raider safety Logan Bell. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Ramstein quarterback Lucas Hollenbeck throws during a first-quarter play of the Royals' matchup with Kaiserslautern on Sept. 15, 2023, at Babers Stadium in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Chasing are, from left, Raider linebacker Manu Smolinski and defensive lineman Sherman Wickings. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Ramstein running back Landon Torroll powers through a tackle by Raider linebacker Connor Kelly during the second quarter of a Sept. 15, 2023, game at Babers Stadium in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Torroll scored a 7-yard touchdown on the play. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

A pair of Raiders, including senior Julian Murdock, center right, gang up on Ramstein running back Ethan Wilson during a Sept. 15, 2023, game at Babers Stadium in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Kaiserslautern defeated the Roayls, 27-24. ()

With 9:08 remaining in the game, though, Ramstein looked to be in control.

Running back John Thompson scampered off tackle for a 6-yard score, and senior Ethan Wilson punched in the two-point conversation to give Ramstein a 24-14 lead.

After a quick three-and-out, the Raiders didn’t get the ball back until 4:09 mark in the fourth. A nine-play, 55-yard drive took just 1:01 off the clock after Todman dumped off a screen pass to Potter, who found paydirt from 5 yards out.

Kaiserslautern then recovered the ensuing onside kick, only for a penalty to negate it. After the following attempt failed, the Royals failed to convert on fourth down during their possession and the Raiders got the ball back with 1:51 left for the last drive.

The entire second half was a night-and-day difference for the Raiders. The home team recorded just two first downs – one via a penalty – in the first half, and its lone score came from a Kemory Wilson 90-yard kick return at the 6:15 mark in the second quarter.

The Kaiserslautern offense amassed 10 first downs in the second half and found the end zone for the first time when senior Brelan Barnes caught a Todman pass on a slant route and sped away for a 30-yard touchdown at the 8:07 mark in the third quarter.

“We teach our players resiliency and mental toughness, and it really showed,” Allen said. “They did not drop their heads, and they could have easily. We just kept fighting, kept our composure and kept playing hard.”

The Royals faced difficulties early themselves. They lost quarterback Lucas Hollenbeck to an injury on their first defensive play, and they turned to junior Caden Nims to take over.

While Nims did find senior Eric Manuel for a 10-yard score to make it 16-7 heading into halftime, Ramstein turned to its rushing attack to do most of its damage in the second quarter. The Royals produced 16- and 11-play drives and held onto the ball for 11:07 in the frame.

Landon Torroll grinded away for 110 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, John Thompson contributed 70 yards on 11 attempts and Jackson Arthaud added 54 yards on 18 carries for Ramstein.

“They have good people, a good program,” Todman said of Ramstein. “They fought hard, as I knew they would. I knew they were going to drill it into us with the run.”

Looking ahead, the Raiders travel to Wiesbaden to play the Warriors on Sept. 22, while the Royals host Vilseck.