(Stars and Stripes)

Nine-man football made its debut in the DODEA lineup this weekend as the football scene across Europe hits full swing.

SHAPE and International School of Brussels renewed their rivalry after years of playing in a club league in the Benelux region. AFNORTH and Ansbach, meanwhile, made the jump from six-man to nine-man and opened against each other.

Then, in Division I, Lakenheath bounced back from a season-opening loss to Wiesbaden.

Division II/III

AFNORTH 46, Ansbach 6: The Lions began their foray into nine-man football with a big win over Ansbach on Friday evening in Brunssum, Netherlands.

The AFNORTH defense led the way, scoring two touchdowns in the first half. Paulo Adorno produced a pick six, and James Bennett pounced on a fumble forced by Dylan Greene in the end zone.

The latter play was one of three fumble recoveries in the game. Bennett knocked the ball loose and Greene recovered that one, and Miles Iliff grabbed another on the ground in the second half. Michael Teichel intercepted a pass in the second half to make it five takeaways.

Sladen Hager punched in a 1-yard score to start the score, and Bennett added an 8-yard run en route to a 30-0 halftime advantage.

Everett Reeves’ 25-yard run with 8:07 left ended the game.

The Cougars’ lone score came when Nathan Arreguin returned the kickoff starting the second half for a touchdown.

The Lions travel to SHAPE to take on the Spartans on Sept. 21. The Cougars, meanwhile, get a bye week and return to action when Spangdahlem comes to town Sept. 27.

International School of Brussels 39, SHAPE 22: The Spartans traveled to Brussels in their return to DODEA football with a loss to the Warriors on Friday evening.

Jonathan Cornet had more than 200 combined yards rushing and receiving and scored four times for ISB. Quarterback Max Ball scored twice for ISB, while Alex Chapman rushed for 125 yards. Warriors coach Lee Rosky credited the work of Terry Koo, Nikhil Stubbings and Henry Neimor on the offensive line.

Keller Schutt had two touchdowns for SHAPE (0-1), one a pass to Trenten Meyer and another on a quarterback keeper. He rushed for 127 yards. Michael McGlothlin added the Spartans’ third score on the ground. Schutt also starred on defense with 11 1/2 tackles and McGlothin had five tackles.

The Spartans host AFNORTH on Sept. 21, while ISB travels to Spangdahlem on Sept. 20.

Division II

Naples 44, Rota 0: The Wildcats began their title defense by taking a 24-0 lead at halftime and shutting out the Admirals (0-2) in Spain.

Senior quarterback Camden Kasparek threw for three scores including 20- and 21-yard strikes to Jeremiah Robinson. Gab-riel Doran caught the other touchdown and Leshei Morgan and Terry Herbert ran in scores. Joshua Banks had a 34-yard field goal and five extra-point kicks.

On defense, Julian Parker scored after recovering a fumble and also had an interception. Diondre Tilo had two sacks and Landon Heavrin had seven tackles including a sack and caused a fumble.

Naples next travels to Vicenza for a Friday night game.

Division III

Brussels 20, Alconbury 18: The Brigands improved to 2-0 by recovering an onside kick in the final seconds to preserve a win over the Dragons.

Brussels had taken a 20-10 lead with about 40 seconds left. But Alconbury scored on a 70-yard pass play to create the final score and tried to get the ball back before Philip Goricanec recovered the short kick.

Sawyer Ter Horst threw for one score for Brussels and passed for another early on. Luis Payares returned an interception for a touchdown to bring Alconbury closer and a botched punt produced a safety to that moved Alconbury within 14-10 in the third quarter.

Ter Horst led Brussels’ defense with 16 tackles. Tamaz Kapanadze had four runs for the Brigands of longer than 15 yards.

Sigonella 56, Hohenfels 0: The Jaguars pounced on the Tigers from the get-go to win their home opener on Saturday.

Freshman running back Makari Spencer took the opening kickoff 50 yards to start the scoring for Sigonella (2-0).

Senior Michael Torres had 40 yards and two TDs on the ground, while adding another 33 yards and two scores receiving. He also picked off a pass. Senior receiver Isiah Wilson chipped in with 28 yards and a touchdown.

Junior signal caller Ryan Miniard went 6-of-8 passing for 64 yards and two touchdown, and he rushed for 28 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Max Kinney came on and completed 3 of 9 attempts for 21 yards and a score.

The Jaguars hots Alconbury on Sept. 21, while Hohenfels (0-2) hosts Baumholder on Sept. 20.

Division I

Lakenheath 26, Vilseck 6: The Lancers got off the schneid with a Friday evening victory over the Falcons in their home opener.

The two teams traded touchdowns early. Lakenheath (1-1) capped off its opening drive with a 23-yard rushing score from running back Aaron Valiente, and Vilseck’s X’avier Wilson took the kickoff afterward 85 yards to pay dirt.

It was all Lakenheath after that. Valiente added a 36-yard score later in the opening quarter. In the second half, running back Adrian Hill II produced two 7-yard touchdowns.

Hill II and Valiente combine for more than 300 yards on the ground. Hill II amassed 162 yards on 18 attempts, Hill totaled 156 yards on eight rushes.

Defensively, safety James Arthaud picked off two passes, and defensive end Jaden DuBois recovered two fumbles.

Lakenheath travels to Stuttgart for its next game on Sept. 20, while Vilseck (0-2) hosts its home opener when Ramstein comes to town the same day.