De La Salle’s (Concord, Calif.) trip to London as part of the NFL’s work to expand the sport’s reach featured learning opportunities about a new culture and team bonding. But at the end of the day, the Spartans accomplished the primary objective of the trip: taking down NFL Academy UK in a convincing fashion.

The Spartans won 31-9, dominant on both sides of the ball. The running game was especially potent, as Dominic Kelley scored a pair of touchdowns and Derrick Blancheadded another on the ground, showcasing what has helped De La Salle start its season 6-0.

“Running the football’s in our DNA,” said head coach Justin Alumbaugh. “That’s a really good team that we played, they have a lot of tremendous athletes and are obviously really well coached. They didn’t make anything easy.”

De La Salle moves up: USA TODAY Sports Super 25 national football rankings: Week 8

On defense, the physical Spartans did not give up a point until the fourth quarter and didn’t allow a touchdown until the final second of the game, when a pass from NFL Academy QB Bobby Bridges deflected off the intended target’s hand, hit the defender’s fingers, bounced off the same defender’s lower leg or foot, and then flew into the arms of wide receiver Rafael Varona-Blakstad in the end zone. The game clock was at zero, and there were smiles and laughs on both sides of the field at the end of the game.

“Defensively, we were able to be physical, which was great, that’s exactly what we were looking for,” Alumbaugh said. “We didn’t play perfect — you’re never going to play perfect — but overall, it’s a really gratifying win and an incredible experience. We’re humbled and grateful to be given this opportunity.”

De La Salle, which arrived Friday, saw more than just the gridiron while in the United Kingdom. The team explored downtown London on Saturday, went to the New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings game on Sunday, and attended a clinic at Duke’s Aldridge Academy on Monday, in addition to practicing each day. Tuesday was game day at Tottenham Stadium, where the Spartans got to play at the same arena in which they saw the Vikings win just a couple days earlier.

On Wednesday, the team flies back home.

During the week leading up to the game, wide receivers coach and former NFL player Maurice Jones-Drew told USA TODAY High School Sports that the team’s strong bond has helped them become one of the top teams in the country once again, ranked in the Super 25. With this trip to London, Alumbaugh saw the team grow even closer.

“Our program is based on love and respect of one and another. That means that you gotta give your best effort and that means that you gotta bond together and back up your brothers,” the head coach said. “This team has really bought into that mantra, like a lot of our teams have historically, and it was on full display on this trip and it was on full display during this game tonight.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Super 25 team De La Salle defeats NFL Academy UK in London experience