Stuttgart quarterback Kai Lewis throws a ball into the flat during a DODEA-Europe Division I football semifinal against Kaiserslautern on Oct. 25, 2024, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

WIESBADEN, Germany – The recent death of Barbara Poe, a teacher at Stuttgart Elementary School, rocked the Stuttgart Panthers football team.

As well as being a parent of senior captain Zach Poe, she helped tutor some of the players and had been a staple of the team’s support for almost four years. So, when they traveled to Kaiserslautern High School on Friday evening to take on the Raiders in a DODEA-Europe Division I semifinal, they were playing for more than just the game.

“It just took a toll on us emotionally,” Stuttgart coach Antoine Reed said. “We dedicated the rest of our season to her.”

That season will continue for another week after the Panthers erased a 10-point first-half deficit to defeat Kaiserslautern 23-20.

The win punched their ticket to their fifth-straight title game. Sophomore M.J. Watkins said many people doubted Stuttgart (4-3) after a 2-3 regular season left the team with the third seed in the postseason. But the Panthers rallied around themselves and Poe and his family.

“A lot of people thought we weren’t the same Stuttgart we’ve been the past five years,” Watkins said. “They thought we were weak and watered down, but we’re still strong, we’re still Stuttgart at the end of the day.”

Stuttgart running back M.J. Watkins stiff-arms Kaiserslautern defender August Crisp during a DODEA-Europe Division I football semifinal on Oct. 25, 2024, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Kaiserslautern's Josh Bell jumps up for a pass while Stuttgart defensive back Jeremyah Reyes tries to defend during a DODEA-Europe Division I football semifinal on Oct. 25, 2024, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Kaiserslautern quarterback Rueben Todman throws a ball near the goal line during a DODEA-Europe Division I football semifinal against Stuttgart on Oct. 25, 2024, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Stuttgart's Kenneth Lee tries to run between Kaiserslautern's August Crisp, left, and Noah Worthington during a DODEA-Europe Division I football semifinal on Oct. 25, 2024, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Stuttgart’s defense in the second half proved to be the difference. The Panthers produced a goal-line stand, two interceptions and recovered a fumble, all over the final 10 minutes of the game.

It started with the game tied at 13 and the Raiders (4-2) driving the ball from their own 14-yard line to the Stuttgart 1 when Noah Worthington almost punched the ball into the end zone. A Kaiserslautern penalty on the next play, a 3-yard loss and a sack of quarterback Rueben Todman on fourth down meant a 15-play possession that took up nearly 7 minutes ended with nothing.

“We made some adjustments in the second half, and the guys just picked it up,” Reed said. “They just played for the community, listened to what we needed to do and lights out.”

During the next Kaiserslautern possession, the Panthers flipped the game completely.

On a second-and-2 at the 50-yard line, Todman dropped back to pass and tried to throw a slant route. Watkins sat in the passing lane and pounced on the pass. He picked it off, tight-roped the sideline to get around Todman and other chasers before cutting back inside for a 56-yard score at the 11:47 mark in the fourth quarter.

The sophomore defensive back said he recognized the play immediately from what he had seen on film.

“I saw that slant, and I saw no other route really developing,” Watkins said. “So, he threw that, and I got into the perfect position, took it back to the house.

“I was excited knowing that I helped contribute and our team gained a lot of momentum from that.”

Senior Cooper Graham recovered a fumble two plays later to set up the Panthers at the Kaiserslautern 20.

While the offense didn’t go anywhere with the ball, Stuttgart turned to the steady leg of Cooper Gaulin, who nailed a 29-yard field goal to make it 23-13. That was the junior’s third of the night after just getting enough on a 40-yarder at the 1:55 mark in the first quarter and tying the game with a 35-yard attempt with 2 seconds left in the first half.

Gaulin transferred to Stuttgart from Yokota, Japan, where he was an All-Far East kicker. Reed said Gaulin struggled a little early in the season trying to take over for the departed Itzak Sandoval, but he has become a steady force upon which the Panthers can rely.

“He thought he had to be Itzak, but he’s been resilient at practice, working on his technique,” Reed said. “He’s been solid throughout.”

Stuttgart's M.J. Watkins turns the corner as Kaiserslautern's August Crisp chases during a DODEA-Europe Division I football semifinal on Oct. 25, 2024, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Kaiserslautern's August Crisp wraps up Stuttgart's Kenneth Lee during a DODEA-Europe Division I football semifinal on Oct. 25, 2024, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Kaiserslautern receiver Logan Bell catches a pass as Stuttgart defensive back Sammy Johnson lurks in the background during a DODEA-Europe Division I football semifinal on Oct. 25, 2024, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

The Stuttgart Panthers celebrate after defeating Kaiserslautern in a DODEA-Europe Division I football semifinal on Oct. 25, 2024, at Kaiserslautern High School in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

The Raiders couldn’t have asked for a better start.

They needed just four plays to hit pay dirt as Worthington took a handoff and cut outside for a 15-yard score. Then, at the 7:32 mark in the second quarter, Todman, who had 98 yards on 20 carries, gave Kaiserslautern a 10-point advantage on a 2-yard keeper.

Penalties piled up, though, as the Raiders committed 14 for 130 yards. Those penalties killed many drives, including one flag on the second-and-goal from the Stuttgart 1.

Coach Duke Allen said the Raiders rued those mistakes, but the loss doesn’t damper the season. He credited his players for still fighting down 10 points with 1:19 remaining in the game, as Worthington scored for a second time with 23 seconds left on a 16-yard wildcat run.

Stuttgart recovered the onside kick, though, ending the game.

“The past two years, we’ve had a lot of comebacks and a lot of last-minute (magic),” Allen said. “We just fell a little bit short, ran out of time.”