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.
Eastern Division Standings
3-1-0 Dentsu Caterpillars2-2-0 Tokyo Metro PD Eagles2-2-0 Shinagawa BullsEyes0-4-0 Blue Thunders
Central Division Standings
4-0-0 Tainai Deers2-2-0 PentaOcean Pirates2-2-0 Mitsubishi Club Triax0-4-0 Bulls FC
Western Division Standings
3-0-0 As One Black Eagles2-1-0 Triaxis J-Stars
0-2-0 Nagoya Cyclones
Mitsubishi Club Triax 13 PentaOcean Pirates 6
The Triax scored on two field goals from the foot of kicker Hikaru Kasai and an interception return by Takumi Shichijo. The Pirates in turn earned their only score on a punt block return. The offenses of both teams were anemic, with the Triax passing for only 73 yards and rushing for 75 yards, while the Pirates passed for only 57 yards and gained 104 yards on the ground. In week five, the Triax take on the Deers, while the Pirates face off against the Bulls.
Tainai Deers 49 Bulls F.C. 0
The Deers opened the game with a touchdown kickoff return and never looked back as they then thrashed the Bulls by running for 178 yards on the ground and scoring three touchdowns, while in the air, the Deers passed for 270 yards and three touchdowns. The Bulls on the other hand were completely outmatched as they were only able to gain a total of seven yards rushing and 60 yards in the air. To date the Bulls have only scored six points all season. In week five, the Deers take on Triax, while the Bulls take on the Pirates.
Dentsu Caterpillars 26 Blue Thunders 8
The Caterpillars bounced back from their week three loss to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police and easily defeated the Blue Thunders in a divisional rematch. Dentsu's first score came on a interception return touchdown by Ken Odaka. An additional 12 points came via the toe of kicker Takahiro Kudo, while former University of St. Francis (Illinois) star Ravon Johnson scored a touchdown via kickoff return. Quarterback Aaron Ellis was 11 for 21 and 112 yards, while the ground game gained a total of 37 rushing yards. On defense, Dentsu picked off two Blue Thunder passes, held their quarterback, Shota Hiura, to 142 passing yards and just one touchdown (caught by Masaaki Kudo), and allowed the Thunder to only gain 14 yards total rushing. Next up for Dentsu in week five are the BullsEyes, while the Blue Thunder square off against the Tokyo Police Eagles.
Shinagawa BullsEyes 16 Tokyo Metropolitan Police Eagles 14
The BullsEyes took an early lead in the game via a first quarter safety, and in the second quarter scored a pair of touchdowns via a run by Yuito Ikeda and a touchdown pass from Jin Ishii to Shota Nonaka. The BullsEyes had a total of 132 team rushing yards, and 86 yards passing. On defense the BullEyes had two interceptions, along with the aforementioned safety, which turned out to be the biggest difference maker of the game. For the police, their two touchdowns were scored in the second half on a run by Keisei Umeno and a touchdown catch by Masayuki Kobayashi, from QB Kengo Sawada, who was 12 of 23 for 178 yards. The police defense kept the game tight as they intercepted one pass and recovered one fumble. In week five, the BullsEyes take on Dentsu, while the police take on the Blue Thunders, in a tight divisional race.
As One Black Eagles 23 Triaxis J-Stars 10
The Black eagles won via the toe and three field goals made by Takashi Morishita, and touchdown runs by Kimiaki Maeda and Moe Tanaka, all of which took place in the second half.. Total team rushing for the Black Eagles was 162 yards, while QB Masataka Takifuji was 6/15 for 101 yards. On defense, the Black Eagles held the J-Stars to 116 yards rushing and 57 yards passing, while also registering two sacks and one interception. For the J-Stars, their points all came in the first half on a Yoshitaka Maeda run and a Ryo Senga field goal. Due to there only being three teams in the Western division, the Nagoya Cyclones will play the J-Stars in week five, and the Black Eagles in week six, with each of the teams having corresponding byes.
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