Naples' Leishieh Morgan carries the football during the DODEA European Division II title game on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Morgan, who had 12 carries for 103 yards and two touchdowns, was named the game's most valuable offensive player. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)
NAPLES, Italy — Naples pushed past injuries and a few mistakes to claim its fourth consecutive DODEA European Division II title Saturday, 27-14 over Vicenza.
The Cougars, 2-2 on the season with both losses coming to the Wildcats, wanted to even the score. But a strong Wildcats defense ended any hopes of the title going anywhere else for at least another season.
Yet Naples’ victory didn’t come without challenges.
Early in the game, a series of injuries forced the Wildcats to reshuffle their roster as other players had to step up — and into — unfamiliar positions.
Those circumstances saw the team dig deep to demonstrate grit in a way it hadn’t previously, Naples coach Jim Davis said.
“We showed it more today than we have all season,” Davis said. “This was a true team win.”
Minutes into the first quarter, Naples quarterback Camden Kasparek ran into the end zone. Leishieh Morgan ran in another score later in the quarter. The Cougars also scored but saw their extra point attempt swatted away.
Kasparek connected with Gab-riel Doran for a touchdown pass in the second quarter while Naples’ defense held Vicenza scoreless, leaving the game 21-6 at the half.
Naples' Leishieh Morgan catches the football during the DODEA European Division II title game on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Morgan, who had five receptions for 51 yards, was named the game's most valuable offensive player. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)
Naples overcame player injuries and some early mistakes to clinch its fourth consecutive DODEA European Division II title on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, pushing past Vicenza with a 27-14 win. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)
Naples clinched its fourth consecutive DODEA European Division II title on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, pushing past Vicenza with a 27-14 win. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)
Despite a strong defense and early good passing game, Vicenza couldn't knock Naples out of the DODEA European Division II title game. Naples went on to win the game, 27-14 on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)
That score reflected Wildcat resilience, Morgan said.
Injuries that sidelined two players and kept another on the bench meant “we just had to keep on going and eventually things just started to piece together,” said Morgan, named the game’s most valuable offensive player with 12 carries for 103 yards and two touchdowns. The senior also had five receptions for 51 yards.
The third quarter saw the Cougars defense keep the Wildcats out of the end zone, thanks in part to an interception of Kasparek.
Kasparek would go on to complete 14 of 18 passes for 114 yards.
The Cougars scored their second touchdown in the fourth quarter and successfully added a two-point conversion. That left the score at 21-14.
But Vicenza couldn’t keep Morgan from answering with another score to inflate the cushion. The Cougars did get some solace by blocking the Wildcats’ one-point conversion attempt.
The loss was disappointing but not defeating, said Paul Sturdevent, a senior linebacker for Vicenza.
The Cougars’ defense shined for much of the game but eventually struggled with consistency, he said.
“It’s unfortunate that we just couldn’t get it done on this one,” Sturdevent said. “All my guys out here played awesome — gave it their 100%.”
For Julian Simme, Naples’ fourth championship title not only was a defining for the team but also was a personal achievement.
Simme worked his way back from a dislocated left shoulder and a torn ligament in the same shoulder to be named the game’s most valuable defensive player with six tackles and four sacks.
Naples’ win was testimony to the team’s patience and self-control, he said.
“When things get heated, we stay cool in our heads,” Simme said. “We are just very disciplined.”
SHAPE wins inaugural nine-man title
SHAPE 28, AFNORTH 24: Saturday at Mons, Belgium, the Spartans erased a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat AFNORTH on Saturday afternoon DODEA-Europe’s inaugural Division II/III championship game.
Saturday’s matchup was the program’s first DODEA title-contest appearance since 2013 and its first championship since 2004, according to coach Jason Neago.
SHAPE quarterback Keller Schutt led the comeback bid. The senior ran for an 11-yard score to cut the deficit to three, and then with 3 minutes remaining, Schutt connected with sophomore running back Michael McGlothlin on a 33-yard touchdown to give the Spartans a four-point lead.
The Spartans forced a turnover on downs during the Lions’ next possession to seal the victory.
The Lions (1-4) had two double-digit advantages in the game. The Lions jumped out to an early 16-0 lead before SHAPE scored 14 points before halftime to make it a two-point game.
Schutt totaled 289 yards of offense – 16-of-22 passing for 222 and 67 yards on 13 carries – and four touchdowns – three on the ground and the game-winner through the air.
Sophomore Will Smith totaled 98 yards on six receptions, and McGlothlin chipped in with 41 yards on five grabs.
Defensively, Schutt paced the Spartans in tackles with 10 and picked off a pass. Junior Chriss Carter made 7.5 tackles, while senior Luca Nanni recovered a fumble.
Fabrio Likskendaj also snagged an interception.
Neago credited AFNORTH’s James Bennett for giving SHAPE fits on both sides of the ball. Bennett amassed at least 150 yards on the ground in the losing effort.
