Week 5 in X1 Super- Battle for Position

As we ended the fifth week of the season, one thing has become apparently clear, as it usually does in Japan, and that is the fact that the top teams remain the top teams (Fujitsu, Panasonic and Obic), while the bottom teams are the ones, like the Suns, who really are quite literally out of their league. 

If the X League ever wants to be taken seriously and fill stands like the LFA and ELF is doing, then they need to address the parity issue that is nagging the league ever since our little podcast here began. Of course the same problem holds true in the college ranks as the KG Fighters win the national title nearly every year. 

Sigh...

"So, You Want To Play Football in Japan?"

Living in Japan as an expatriate is a goal for many who have come here to visit and then fell in love with all Japan is. For some, like the many men who have come here to play professional football in Japan, they have made this land their home. Without being given the opportunity to play the gridiron game here, they may not have achieved their dreams.  

However, with that said, playing and living in Japan is unlike any other country in the Western Hemisphere or English speaking world, to which out co-host, Aaron Ellis can attest. Therefore, if you desire to play here, please give this podcast episode a listen. As it is one devoted to giving guidance to those wishing to play not just in Japan, but really anywhere abroad. Its a must listen!

Week 4 '24 X League Area- Back on Track

As we kick off the second half of the X1 Area schedule, though the weather is finally cooling off (it has been Mississippi hot here since June) in Japan, the jockeying for promotion and relegation position is just heating up, with the Tainai Deers, As One Black Eagles and Dentsu Caterpillars looking to take the pole position in each of their respective divisions.

The goal for each of the top three is to not just win their divisions, but also remain healthy and operating on all cylinders as they head into the post-season. For the bottom teams, Nagoya, Bulls F.C., and the Blue Thunders their goal for the remaining season has to be to try and improve, remain competitive, and for one team in particular, the Bulls, put some points on the board! Yet, even if they don't I know they will try their best.

Week 4 of '24 X League Super- To Win is a Habit

Week 4 of X League Super had few surprises.

As autumn settles in, the focus of the Japanese sports world is not focused at all on our favorite top-tier gridiron league here in the Far East. Especially yesterday, which was a national holiday called "Sports Day." However, right now, the focus of most has not been on amateur sports, but rather the Dodgers and Mets NLCS, which matters more here than perhaps the World Baseball Classic to Japanese baseball fans, or even the current NPB playoffs.

With that said, the X League is flying so far under the radar that us here seem to be the only ones in the English speaking world covering it.  Before you disagree, just know that the other major English language international gridiron news site simply copies, pastes and publishes (do they really have permission?) X League items. Maybe they think no one notices, but we have. Regardless, we do things here the old fashioned way- we use our own words.

Boogie Down- Week 3.5 in X1 Super

Remember the name "Boogie Knight"

During Week one of the X League Super, the Sekisui Challengers vs. Elecom Finies was postponed due to a typhoon, thus the game was rescheduled so the teams could play in between weeks three and four. For those who watched it, the game proved to be one of the great ones as the Challengers' passing duo of Garret Safron to Boogie Knight hooked up for 200 yards and three touchdowns in a squeaker over Elecom, 21-20.  On the Elecom side, David Pindell passed for 142 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for an additional 74 yards and another touchdown with the difference being the missed PAT after that final Finies score, proving again that special teams matter!