Vicenza and Naples players scramble for a loose ball Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in the Wildcats’ 28-6 victory in Vicenza, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Vicenza’s Paul Sturdevent wants one last crack at the Naples football team to get over that hump.

After two seasons and four games of being shut out, the Cougars this season made strides to close the gap with the Wildcats, first by scoring against them in a 28-6 loss on Sept 14. Vicenza followed by up by keeping things close before Naples pulled away in a 22-0 defeat on Oct. 18.

The senior linebacker and the Cougars will get one last chance on Saturday when they travel to Naples to square off in the DODEA-Europe Division II championship game.

“I remember … having some rough times the last two years, especially against them,” Sturdevent said. “So, it gives me a lot of drive to fight and get this one done and win this.”

In a division with just three squads, the teams earned berths into the game by finishing first and second in the standings. Naples went 4-0, while Vicenza went 2-2.

The Wildcats are seeking their fourth straight championship, a run that began out of the COVID-19 pandemic. With that dominance, coach Jim Davis said his players understand that teams such as Vicenza want to knock them off their perch.

“Anytime you’ve had the success (we’ve had) comes the target and the expectation and some stress involved, but I think that’s what makes them special,” Davis said. “They’ve been here before, and they’re not going to let it overwhelm them. They’ll channel that into their play.”

This year’s Naples team lacks the height and strength of Vicenza’s interior, but it makes up for it with a speed on the outside offensively and a togetherness as a unit defensively.

It’s on the latter side of the ball the Wildcats have had their most success. The defense has allowed only 13 points all season, and that includes a visit from Division I-foe Lakenheath last week that ended in a 42-0 victory.

“Obviously, it’s a lot of good individual athletes, but the combination of the coaching and our systems are a lot better than other offenses,” senior defensive back Leishieh Morgan said. “That’s why we work together so well and mesh, and not a lot of teams are able to score.”

Along with the difference in styles, the Cougars and Wildcats also have a mass contrast in experience under center.

Naples senior Camden Kasparek is in his third year starting and his fourth year on the team overall. Vicenza, meanwhile, has turned to freshman Max Thrash, whose play this season has earned Woods’ praise.

The Cougar mentor expressed his belief the spotlight won’t be too bright for the young signal caller.

“He’s a very poised young man,” Woods said of Thrash. “In the last game we had against Naples, he was a little hard on himself. I think he’ll settle down and make the connection with his receivers.”

Even though the Wildcats have dominated the division and Vicenza in recent seasons, they don’t expect to be handed the title.

Kasparek and Co. recall quite well how they needed to survive Aviano, which didn’t have a team this season, last fall in the championship game.

“I respect them as a team; they’ve got a lot of good people,” Kasparek said. “So, just make sure we bring everything we’ve got, and it’s going to be a good game.”