Army West Point Athletics
Photo by: lynn fern photography
Black Team Claims 2026 Spring Game Victory, 13–3
April 18, 2026 | Football
West Point, N.Y. — The Army West Point football team held its annual Spring Game on a picture-perfect Friday night, as the renovated East Stands—part of the Michie Stadium Preservation Project—neared completion at Michie Stadium to conclude the spring practice schedule.
The program also welcomed back and honored nine former players as honorary captains: Marcus Hilton '11 (DL), Zach Peterson '11 (OL), Donnie Dixon '11 (DB), Steve Erzinger '12 (LB), Nate Combs '13 (LB), Jarrett Mackey '13 (LB), Ben Jebb '13 (OL), Patrick Laird '14 (WR), and Ray Maples '14 (RB).
Maples appeared in 47 career games, rushing for 2,878 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding two receiving scores. He became just the third running back in program history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons (2012–13) and ranks seventh on Army's all-time single-season rushing list with 1,215 yards in 2012. He was also a member of Army's 2010 Armed Forces Bowl championship team.
Mackey, a rare two-time team captain, played in 40 career games and totaled 129 tackles with 6.0 sacks. He earned captain honors in both 2012 and 2013 and was also a member of Army's 2010 Armed Forces Bowl championship team.
In traditional fashion, Head Coach Jeff Monken spent time on both sidelines throughout the evening, supporting and mentoring both teams. The Black Team was coached by assistant head coach and outside linebackers coach John Loose, while associate head coach and special teams coordinator Sean Saturnio led the Gold Team.
The Black Team, led by rising senior quarterback Cale Hellums, struck first late in the first quarter as Hellums connected with wide receiver Kofi Eduful on a 47-yard pass. Several plays later, running back Godspower Nwawuihe powered in a four-yard touchdown run to give Black an early 7–0 lead, which would stand as the game's lone touchdown.
The Black Team added to its lead in the second quarter as Dawson Jones drilled a 43-yard field goal, following positive plays that included a 13-yard run from Lloyd Benson and a nine-yard reception from Samari Howard.
The Gold Team, led by rising sophomore quarterback Bryson Luter, showcased flashes of explosiveness throughout the first half, with Luter displaying his speed and ability to break tackles on multiple runs. The Gold Team later worked into position for a 39-yard field goal attempt, but the try from Bryson Hosea was no good.
Late in the first half, quarterback Harrison Orr broke off a 34-yard run for the Black Team, one of the most explosive plays of the half. Linebacker Nick McGlynn also made an impact, recovering a fumble near midfield following a Gold Team shotgun snap that resulted in a loose ball.
The Black Team took a 10–0 lead into the locker room.
On the opening drive of the second half, Christian Yousefzadeh recorded a strip sack for the Gold Team, forcing a quick three-and-out by the Black offense. The Gold Team responded with Luter under center, as he broke free for a 12-yard run to move the chains.
On the same drive, Jaxon Hammond flashed his speed for the Black Team, blitzing from the cornerback position to sack Luter for a six-yard loss and stall the drive. However, Saturnio reached into his bag of tricks and dialed up a fake punt, as punter James Wagenseller connected with linebacker Bryson Banks for a 23-yard completion to move the chains and push the Gold Team into scoring territory. The Gold Team capitalized with a 44-yard field goal from Hosea to cut the deficit to 10–3.
The Black Team extended its lead to 13–3 early in the fourth quarter with a 28-yard field goal by Matthew Faulk. The Black Team's defense held strong the rest of the way, as Loose's squad secured the victory in the 2026 Spring Game. Black has now won back-to-back spring games and four of the last five overall. Notably, no team has scored more than 20 points in each of the last three spring games.
Based on unofficial statistics kept by the Army Athletic Communications office, Black Team quarterback Harrison Orr was the game's leading rusher with an estimated 75–80 yards. Other notable performances included Hellums, who threw for approximately 60 yards, and Luter, who rushed for around 40 yards for the Gold Team.
The team will resume practice during fall camp, with players expected to report in late July, and will now transition into its offseason running and lifting program.
Recent Spring Game Results
2025 – Black Team, 16–14
2024 – Gold Team, 17–14
2023 – Black Team, 31–30
2022 – Black Team, 24–14
The program also welcomed back and honored nine former players as honorary captains: Marcus Hilton '11 (DL), Zach Peterson '11 (OL), Donnie Dixon '11 (DB), Steve Erzinger '12 (LB), Nate Combs '13 (LB), Jarrett Mackey '13 (LB), Ben Jebb '13 (OL), Patrick Laird '14 (WR), and Ray Maples '14 (RB).
Maples appeared in 47 career games, rushing for 2,878 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding two receiving scores. He became just the third running back in program history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons (2012–13) and ranks seventh on Army's all-time single-season rushing list with 1,215 yards in 2012. He was also a member of Army's 2010 Armed Forces Bowl championship team.
Mackey, a rare two-time team captain, played in 40 career games and totaled 129 tackles with 6.0 sacks. He earned captain honors in both 2012 and 2013 and was also a member of Army's 2010 Armed Forces Bowl championship team.
In traditional fashion, Head Coach Jeff Monken spent time on both sidelines throughout the evening, supporting and mentoring both teams. The Black Team was coached by assistant head coach and outside linebackers coach John Loose, while associate head coach and special teams coordinator Sean Saturnio led the Gold Team.
The Black Team, led by rising senior quarterback Cale Hellums, struck first late in the first quarter as Hellums connected with wide receiver Kofi Eduful on a 47-yard pass. Several plays later, running back Godspower Nwawuihe powered in a four-yard touchdown run to give Black an early 7–0 lead, which would stand as the game's lone touchdown.
The Black Team added to its lead in the second quarter as Dawson Jones drilled a 43-yard field goal, following positive plays that included a 13-yard run from Lloyd Benson and a nine-yard reception from Samari Howard.
The Gold Team, led by rising sophomore quarterback Bryson Luter, showcased flashes of explosiveness throughout the first half, with Luter displaying his speed and ability to break tackles on multiple runs. The Gold Team later worked into position for a 39-yard field goal attempt, but the try from Bryson Hosea was no good.
Late in the first half, quarterback Harrison Orr broke off a 34-yard run for the Black Team, one of the most explosive plays of the half. Linebacker Nick McGlynn also made an impact, recovering a fumble near midfield following a Gold Team shotgun snap that resulted in a loose ball.
The Black Team took a 10–0 lead into the locker room.
On the opening drive of the second half, Christian Yousefzadeh recorded a strip sack for the Gold Team, forcing a quick three-and-out by the Black offense. The Gold Team responded with Luter under center, as he broke free for a 12-yard run to move the chains.
On the same drive, Jaxon Hammond flashed his speed for the Black Team, blitzing from the cornerback position to sack Luter for a six-yard loss and stall the drive. However, Saturnio reached into his bag of tricks and dialed up a fake punt, as punter James Wagenseller connected with linebacker Bryson Banks for a 23-yard completion to move the chains and push the Gold Team into scoring territory. The Gold Team capitalized with a 44-yard field goal from Hosea to cut the deficit to 10–3.
The Black Team extended its lead to 13–3 early in the fourth quarter with a 28-yard field goal by Matthew Faulk. The Black Team's defense held strong the rest of the way, as Loose's squad secured the victory in the 2026 Spring Game. Black has now won back-to-back spring games and four of the last five overall. Notably, no team has scored more than 20 points in each of the last three spring games.
Based on unofficial statistics kept by the Army Athletic Communications office, Black Team quarterback Harrison Orr was the game's leading rusher with an estimated 75–80 yards. Other notable performances included Hellums, who threw for approximately 60 yards, and Luter, who rushed for around 40 yards for the Gold Team.
The team will resume practice during fall camp, with players expected to report in late July, and will now transition into its offseason running and lifting program.
Recent Spring Game Results
2025 – Black Team, 16–14
2024 – Gold Team, 17–14
2023 – Black Team, 31–30
2022 – Black Team, 24–14
Players Mentioned
ILB
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WR
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P
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CB
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QB
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K
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SB
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K
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QB
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ILB
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RB
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RB
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P
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OLB
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