Army West Point Athletics
The Black Team Victorious, 16-14 in Football Spring Game
April 12, 2025 | Football
West Point, N.Y. -- The Army West Point Football held its annual Spring Game on Friday night at Michie Stadium to conclude the spring practice schedule.
Before the game, the team saluted three former football players as honorary captains, all currently in the NFL: Cole Christiansen, '20, Elijah Riley, '20, and Jon Rhattigan, '21.
Christiansen was a two-time team captain for Jeff Monken both as a junior and senior (2018-2019). He is now a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Kansas City Chiefs (2022-23).
Rhattigan did not emerge as a starter for Army until he was a senior (2020), logging 78 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries that season.Â
Christiansen is a member of the Kansas City Cheifs, Riley with the New York Giants, and Rhattigan with the Carolina Panthers.Â
In traditional fashion, Head Coach Jeff Monken spent time on each team's sideline, supporting and mentoring both teams.
The Black Team opened its bag of tricks early in the game as slot back Noah Short threw a pass on a trick play for a gain of 38 yards to WR Liam Fortner to push inside the red zone. The drive stalled out and freshman kicker Dawson Jones booted in a 31-yard field goal to give the Black Team an early 3-0 lead. Â
The Gold Team responded by marching on a 75-yard drive that was capped off by a one-yard touchdown by RB Briggs Bartosh. Â
Freshman QB Ethan Washington, playing for the Black Team made an impressive throw to WR Liam Fortner for a gain of 19 yards in the second quarter.
Before the half, the Black Team added another field goal, this one by Jake Hulstein, from 39 yards out. Â The Gold Team took a 7-6 lead into the locker room.
In the second half, RB Jake Rendina ripped off tough runs for 13 yards and seven yards for the Black Team on a 14-play scoring drive that extended into the early stages of the fourth quarter. The drive was led by freshman QB Nehemiah Vann. Jones connected on his second field goal from 31 yards away as the Black Team retook the lead for the first time since early in the first quarter, 9-7.Â
The Black Team received the ball back after LB Caden Brungard logged a sack to force a punt by the Gold Team. Rising senior QB Dewayne Coleman reentered and hit Chace Knox for a 20-yard pass pickup. Two plays later, Coleman broke free up the middle for a house call, taking off for a 58-yard touchdown. Hulstein converted on the extra point as the Black Team extended its lead by two scores, 16-7. Â
The Gold Team needing two scores picked up the pace as rising junior QB Cale Hellums converted on big pass plays of 24 yards to slot Lloyd Benson III and 18 yards to RB Carson Smith to set the Gold Team up in scoring position. Several plays later, freshman QB Luke Knight pushed in a one-yard touchdown run as the Gold Team answered back and made it a 16-14 game after the K Bryson Hosea extra point.
The Gold Team got one more chance late in the game but sacks by Donovan Poe and Sam Oppenheimer for the Black Team sealed the ballgame in the final seconds.
Recent Spring Game Results Â
2024 – Gold Team, 17-14
2023 – Black Team, 31-30
2022 – Black Team, 24-14
