Alconbury Dragons Ramstein High School Kaiserslautern High School Bitburg High School Wiesbaden High School Heidelberg High School Mannheim High School Ansbach High School

DoDDS Europe Football

Week 4

 

Week 4 capsules

 

Division I

Division I has several contenders this year. In many past years, this was the Heidelberg-Ramstein show, with other teams being the bridesmaids. This year, Vilseck and Patch have shown that they are more than capable of playing for the championship plaque. Hot and cold Wiesbaden cannot be counted out either. 

Filton (2-1) @ Vilseck (2-1)

Size and power against speed? Vilseck struggled this past week versus Ramstein and now faces a similar large team in Filton.  Vilseck wants to get back on-track. Long trip for Filton! This is the first time these teams have met.

 

Wiesbaden (1-2) @ Kaiserslautern (0-3)

Now begins the battles for playoff spots. Wiesbaden came up big versus Heidelberg, but has two losses. Kaiserslautern has three losses and cannot afford a fourth.

Patch (3-0) @ Lakenheath (1-2)

Patch has played physical ball up to now and we can reasonably be sure they will continue to. Lakenheath has not found the victory column since week one. They need a win. Patch can solidify their playoff chances win a win.

 

Heidelberg (2-1) @ Ramstein (2-1)

Both teams have shown normal strong play, but both have a loss. This is usually a battle royal!!! These teams own most of the DI championships from the past 35 years (10 each).

 

 

 

 

Division II

 

In the South, with two wins, a team can reasonably expect to make the playoffs. Ansbach, Naples and Aviano are in and now must fight for final playoff seedings. Vicenza and Hohenfels are winless and hope to win out to slip into the picture. Newcomer Schweinfurt has a win and needs another. No room for error for the bottom three. One will make the playoffs.

In the North, only ISB stands in the way of a final #1 seed for Bitburg. Only one team will be eliminated from the playoffs. With two wins in-hand, Bitburg, ISB and Baumholder look like a lock for the playoffs. The final slot may be decided next weekend when AFNORTH visits SHAPE.

Baumholder (2-1) @ AFN (0-2)

Baumholder is just off a big loss to Bitburg and would like to get back into the win column. AFNORTH has had a week to get ready and healthy. Baumholder handled AFNORTH earlier in the year, but AFNORTH is always tough at home.

Bitburg (4-0) @ ISB (2-0)

This is historically a well fought game. ISB gave Bitburg their last loss in 2009 and played them close last year. ISB is a bit thin this year. Given the size and maturity of Bitburg, this will be tough game for ISB. For some reason, this school has always given Bitburg all they could handle and sometimes more.

Naples (2-1) @ Ansbach (3-0)

Naples had a rough outing last week against Aviano. Did Naples just overlook Aviano to focus on this game or is Aviano that good? Naples has an 18 hour bus ride and a lot of time to think about the game. A lot of questions will be answered on Saturday.

Aviano (3-0) @ Vicenza (0-3)

One would think that this would be a blow-out based on prior scores, but this is usually a good game. Aviano is undefeated and Vicenza just needs a win to jump-start their post-season hopes. Perhaps the Saints should beware a bunch of hungry Cougars? With the tradition and rivalry between these two schools, you can count on a battle.

 

 

Hohenfels (0-3) @Schweinfurt (1-2)

The Razorbacks are in the win column and the Tigers are winless. Both teams are loaded with skill people. This could become a track meet. Hohenfels is better than the record indicates. The Razorbacks will have their hands full with the quick, physical Tigers.

 

Division III

In a league composed of small schools, we normally see “feast or famine”. The population of boys in the school to select from is small. Last year, both Sigonella and Alconbury had big strong athletes and plenty of them. This year, the numbers are thin and athletes are sparse. Sigonella has folded and Alconbury is winless. Based on scores so far, Rota and Bamberg look to be the class of D III. It may be fitting that Bamberg travels to Rota on the last regular season playing date. It may be a pre-view to the Super 6 match-up. Menwith Hill lurks in the shadows, with only a turn-over filled loss to Bamberg. Clarity comes Saturday when Rota travels to Menwith Hill.

 

Brussels (0-3) @ Bamberg (3-0)

This is a tough road game for the Brigands. Bamberg has far more athletes and many people would consider this game over before it starts. Brussels can let it loose and have fun. Strange things have happened when a team does that.

Rota (3-0) @ Menwith Hill (2-1)

This is the best match-up in DIII this weekend. If the Mustangs can cut down on turnovers and slow down the offensive juggernaut of the Admirals, it could be a great game to watch.