Made it to Kawasaki for triple-headers on Saturday and Sunday- mostly KCFA games, but the night game on Sunday was the Unisys Bulls playing the Asahi Silver Stars on their home turf. Unisys started the game with a nice drive or two, but hampered themselves with fumbles, giving the ball away as they neared the goal line. Asahi finally got moving, and took command. Unisys had hoped that its speed could help negate the Silver Stars' superior size, but seemed to wear down.
In the early game on Sunday, Keio was well out in front of Yohohama Kokuritsu before the Mastiffs rallied late for three scores. It didn't change the result, but I was impressed by the Yokohama QB's handling of the hurry-up offense. I think they are the first Japanese team I have seen this year that doesn't spike the ball on first down, a procedure that seems ridiculous to me- most teams trailing run out of downs before they run out of seconds.
Indeed, at the end of the middle game, Tokyo University spiked the ball on 1st and 3rd down with the ball at the Hosei goal line, effectively giving them only two chances to score instead of four. The Warriors gave the Tomahawks some problems with their option. But good pursuit generally contained the damage. Hosei looked alternatively sharp and sloppy, but most of the time I got the feeling they were just toying with their opponent.
I was looking forward to seeing Saturday's games after Kokushukan's upset of Waseda. The Rhiniceros did not fail to impress- they simply are not afraid, and gave Senshu all they could handle before losing 27-21 in overtime. Waseda seems to shaken off their previous loss, and Nichidai looked dominant.
It was really great hearing the student bands out there- it couldn't have been easy especially sitting on the visitors sideline facing the sun directly, but they really added something positive to the atmosphere!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
post Silver Week
Was away for part of Silver Week, but made it to several games, and six more this past weekend.
One of the ugliest things I had the misfortune to look at was the Sagamihara Rise pummeling the Itochu Wings, in a a clear mismatch. I am not really sure what bothered me more: the Rise running their no-huddle and calling time outs late in the 4th quarter when ahead by more than a dozen touchdowns; or the some of the Wings who seemed to give up almost as soon as the game began. I don't like calling anyone out here, but on some plays I counted four offensive lineman standing and watching their defensive counterparts in the offensive backfield, tackling the QB or ball carrier for a loss. Above all, football is about never, ever quitting. Ever.
The Rise are, of course, the rebirth of Onward, who suddenly lost their corporate sponsorship late last year. They reformed as a municipal team, and are enjoying great support from (and involvement with) Sagamihara. Unfortunately, technically as a brand new team, they had to begin again in Division 3. They have a 60-man roster of Division 1 talent, playing against mostly teams that are lucky to get 20-25 suited up for a game.
According to Coach Dan Lynds, the hardest thing is keeping the players motivated and focused against the over-matched competition. Seems that their scrimmages are more of a challenge than the regular season games right now. At the end of the season, they are hoping to play a charity bowl game against a team from Kansai in a similar condition. Anyway, unless something changes, the Rise will be wearing white for two more years- which is about when they will be finally back to pickin' on someone their own size.
The nightcap at Oi on Wednesday was somewhat more interesting and competitive, with the Mitusi Seagulls coming from behind with 22 points in the 4th quarter to beat the Steelers.
Both teams are able to suit up around two dozen players, so they are obviously in need of players.
One of the ugliest things I had the misfortune to look at was the Sagamihara Rise pummeling the Itochu Wings, in a a clear mismatch. I am not really sure what bothered me more: the Rise running their no-huddle and calling time outs late in the 4th quarter when ahead by more than a dozen touchdowns; or the some of the Wings who seemed to give up almost as soon as the game began. I don't like calling anyone out here, but on some plays I counted four offensive lineman standing and watching their defensive counterparts in the offensive backfield, tackling the QB or ball carrier for a loss. Above all, football is about never, ever quitting. Ever.
The Rise are, of course, the rebirth of Onward, who suddenly lost their corporate sponsorship late last year. They reformed as a municipal team, and are enjoying great support from (and involvement with) Sagamihara. Unfortunately, technically as a brand new team, they had to begin again in Division 3. They have a 60-man roster of Division 1 talent, playing against mostly teams that are lucky to get 20-25 suited up for a game.
According to Coach Dan Lynds, the hardest thing is keeping the players motivated and focused against the over-matched competition. Seems that their scrimmages are more of a challenge than the regular season games right now. At the end of the season, they are hoping to play a charity bowl game against a team from Kansai in a similar condition. Anyway, unless something changes, the Rise will be wearing white for two more years- which is about when they will be finally back to pickin' on someone their own size.
The nightcap at Oi on Wednesday was somewhat more interesting and competitive, with the Mitusi Seagulls coming from behind with 22 points in the 4th quarter to beat the Steelers.
Both teams are able to suit up around two dozen players, so they are obviously in need of players.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
random 2009 September notes
notes:
The odd summer weather in Japan this year- a bit cooler than normal- has made it great for watching football. While the rain came down on Saturday, there really hasn't been any nasty typhoon weather. Sunday was warm, sunny, and beautiful. Hope we get more of the same for upcoming 'Silver Week' and can see some more fans out at the stadiums.
* Was a bit bleary eyed from (internet) watching NCAA games (Michigan-Notre Dame...wow!), but there was some exciting early season football played in Japan, too.
* Perhaps the most stunning event of the weekend and perhaps the early season so far was Kokushukan's upset of Waseda in college division 1 at Amino Vital. A goal line stand with 10 seconds remaining gave the Rhinos a 7-3 (!) victory over the Big Bears.
Kokushukan is new to Division 1 this year.
* The Rhinos occasionally share their practice field (and scrimmage) with the Unisys Bulls.
The Bulls also enjoyed their first win in (X-League) Division 1 after moving up this year, defeating the All-Mitsubishi Lions 17-14 at Kawasaki on Sunday. The Bulls and Fuji Xerox (3rd year in the top division) are both 1-1.
* While there is nothing like parity yet, but things are improving in the X-League somewhat. While definitely stronger than others lower in their division, the Asahi Silver Stars look vulnerable- they only led the Gas Creators by a mere 14-7 at the start of the 4th quarter.
* Kawasaki Stadium: I have to say, it keeps evolving as a better and better place for football. This year they have extended the stands further towards the end zone which was the former home of, well, home plate. Now the cheerleaders have a bit more room to...[come on] Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake, a-Shake It. [Yeah, I know- shame on me]
There is consequently slightly less of it, but there is still a grassy "picnic area" behind home plate, which I would like to see families and fans and teams make more use made of.
* Other improvements at Kawasaki have included raising the scoreboard. Much more prominent and easier to see now. Just one problem: unfortunately the lights are just not powerful enough, so with the sun shining directly upon it it during much of the second half of the second game, it was impossible to see anything from the "Visitor" sideline.
When such times come (of course, exactly when depends on the time of year), perhaps it would help if the referee reminded the PA announcer to call out the time remaining each time the clock stopped, particularly say, in the last 3 minutes or so of each quarter. Fortunately it didn't turn out to be a factor in yesterday's 17-14 Bulls-Lions game- but it easily could have been.
* BTW seems like every time i see him officiate a game, Bill Passwaters is the umpire. Can't help wondering: is that because he likes it there, or do they put the gaijin in the officiating spot most likely to get caught up in the fray, or to get run over? [insert Yakety Sax footage here]
* I also think I have been seeing better officiating than in the past. Still some missed calls and bogus PI calls; and I have yet to witness a call for helmet-to-helmet contact in Japan. But it seems to be better informed, more decisive. There seem to be fewer of those confounded confabulations- all around, the zebras seem more sure of themselves in the midst of all those roaming Lions and Tigers and Bears.
The odd summer weather in Japan this year- a bit cooler than normal- has made it great for watching football. While the rain came down on Saturday, there really hasn't been any nasty typhoon weather. Sunday was warm, sunny, and beautiful. Hope we get more of the same for upcoming 'Silver Week' and can see some more fans out at the stadiums.
* Was a bit bleary eyed from (internet) watching NCAA games (Michigan-Notre Dame...wow!), but there was some exciting early season football played in Japan, too.
* Perhaps the most stunning event of the weekend and perhaps the early season so far was Kokushukan's upset of Waseda in college division 1 at Amino Vital. A goal line stand with 10 seconds remaining gave the Rhinos a 7-3 (!) victory over the Big Bears.
Kokushukan is new to Division 1 this year.
* The Rhinos occasionally share their practice field (and scrimmage) with the Unisys Bulls.
The Bulls also enjoyed their first win in (X-League) Division 1 after moving up this year, defeating the All-Mitsubishi Lions 17-14 at Kawasaki on Sunday. The Bulls and Fuji Xerox (3rd year in the top division) are both 1-1.
* While there is nothing like parity yet, but things are improving in the X-League somewhat. While definitely stronger than others lower in their division, the Asahi Silver Stars look vulnerable- they only led the Gas Creators by a mere 14-7 at the start of the 4th quarter.
* Kawasaki Stadium: I have to say, it keeps evolving as a better and better place for football. This year they have extended the stands further towards the end zone which was the former home of, well, home plate. Now the cheerleaders have a bit more room to...[come on] Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake, a-Shake It. [Yeah, I know- shame on me]
There is consequently slightly less of it, but there is still a grassy "picnic area" behind home plate, which I would like to see families and fans and teams make more use made of.
* Other improvements at Kawasaki have included raising the scoreboard. Much more prominent and easier to see now. Just one problem: unfortunately the lights are just not powerful enough, so with the sun shining directly upon it it during much of the second half of the second game, it was impossible to see anything from the "Visitor" sideline.
When such times come (of course, exactly when depends on the time of year), perhaps it would help if the referee reminded the PA announcer to call out the time remaining each time the clock stopped, particularly say, in the last 3 minutes or so of each quarter. Fortunately it didn't turn out to be a factor in yesterday's 17-14 Bulls-Lions game- but it easily could have been.
* BTW seems like every time i see him officiate a game, Bill Passwaters is the umpire. Can't help wondering: is that because he likes it there, or do they put the gaijin in the officiating spot most likely to get caught up in the fray, or to get run over? [insert Yakety Sax footage here]
* I also think I have been seeing better officiating than in the past. Still some missed calls and bogus PI calls; and I have yet to witness a call for helmet-to-helmet contact in Japan. But it seems to be better informed, more decisive. There seem to be fewer of those confounded confabulations- all around, the zebras seem more sure of themselves in the midst of all those roaming Lions and Tigers and Bears.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)