Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Japan loses to Canada (again) in IFAF U-19 semi-final
In a game where the Japanese team bested Canada in yardage and time of possession, Canada still found a way to defeat Japan in the IFAF Under-19 championship semifinal, held this year in Austin Texxas, by a 33-24 score. A last minute touchdown won the game for Canada in the semifinal match in 2009- that game ended 38-35.
Japan recieved the opening kickoff and scored first, but Canada cam back and tied the score on the kickoff return for a TD. A pick-6 put Japan up 14-7.
Japan trailed 23-14 at halftime, as Japan was plagued by 4 interceptions in the first half.
Strangely, Japan also recieved the 2nd half kickoff, and its initial drive ended with a 31-yad Ariwa FG to pull within a touchdown.
Ikuma Mitsuwa came up with an interception on Canada's next drive. But Japan returned the favor.
Japan was able to bring it to within 2 when Kishimura scored on a keeper. But a 97 yard drive by Canada and a TD on a QB keepers by Hugo Richard put Canada back up
33-24.
Japan was able to cross midfield in the last two minutes, but the drive stalled there, and Canada ran out the clock.
Canada moves on to the Gold medal game saturday to face the winner of the USA-Austria matchup; Japan will be in the Bronze medal game to face the loser.
IFAF Under-19 World Championships
International Federation of American Football Under-19
World Championship are being held at Burger Stadium in Austin, Texas. Eight teams representing (in order of ranking): USA, Canada, Japan, Panama, Austria, France, Sweden and American Samoa.
The most anticipated game of the tournament thus far will be the clash between Japan and Canada on Wednesday, July 4th (Thursday morning in Japan). In the 2008 semi-finals, the Canadians scored a TD pas with 0:16 remaining, to snatch a 38-35 victory. That game will be shown live on webcast at 5 PM local time, (7 AM Japan Time on July 5th), to be followed by the Austria-USA contest.
Here is the link to watch live and repeat webcasts
http://www.youtube.com/usafootballeducation
For previews on these and info go here.
The Japanese roster includes Kevin Coghlan (currently enrolled at Waseda University), and WR/KR James Takada (Gray).
The final games will be held on July 7th, with the Bronze medal game at 5:00 and the Gold medal game at 8 (7 and 10 AM on July 8th in Japan).
The inaugural International Federation of American Football Under-19 World Championship was held in 2009 in Canton, Ohio. The US defeated Canada in the championship game, and Japan took home the bronze by defeating Mexico.
The most anticipated game of the tournament thus far will be the clash between Japan and Canada on Wednesday, July 4th (Thursday morning in Japan). In the 2008 semi-finals, the Canadians scored a TD pas with 0:16 remaining, to snatch a 38-35 victory. That game will be shown live on webcast at 5 PM local time, (7 AM Japan Time on July 5th), to be followed by the Austria-USA contest.
Here is the link to watch live and repeat webcasts
http://www.youtube.com/usafootballeducation
For previews on these and info go here.
The Japanese roster includes Kevin Coghlan (currently enrolled at Waseda University), and WR/KR James Takada (Gray).
The final games will be held on July 7th, with the Bronze medal game at 5:00 and the Gold medal game at 8 (7 and 10 AM on July 8th in Japan).
The inaugural International Federation of American Football Under-19 World Championship was held in 2009 in Canton, Ohio. The US defeated Canada in the championship game, and Japan took home the bronze by defeating Mexico.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Obic wins 35th Pearl Bowl
The Obic Seagulls once again continued their recent mastery over the Fujitsu Frontiers, pulling away in the 4th quarter to win the 35th Pearl Bowl 31-10.
Obic started the scoring on a TD pass, an 18 yard end zone fade to Kentarou Mori from Shun Sugawara to make it 7-0 with 6:14 left in the first quarter. Each team kicked a field goal in the 2nd Quarter to make it 10-3 at halftime.
Fujitsu seemed to have momentum for most of the 2nd and 3rd quarters, moving the ball somewhat effectively on offense- mostly on the ground; and shutting down Obic nearly every time they tried to run wide. The Frontiers came out stronger in the 3rd quarter, as they returned the kickoff to the Obic 40 and drove to the 15, before missing a 32 yard FG.
The Seagulls went backwards on their next possession, and Fujitsu took over at the Obic 47. It took them four plays to get to the end zone, with Yuusuke Shinshi carrying the ball in from the 7 to tie the score. Obic responded on their next drive with a good return and a 12 play drive, but it stalled and ended with a missed FG.
But Fujitsu was not able to continue its success as a combination of bad breaks, and big plays by Furutani and Kinoshita put Obic back on top. Kinoshita took an end around 61 yards on an electrifying run as they scored with 2:33 left in the quarter to make it 17-10, and WR Shimizu hit Furutani on 40 yard pass on the first play of the 4th quarter put them up 24-10.
Nakanishi scored from 8 yards out to finish the scoring, making it 31-10 with 3:14 remaining.
Fujitsu was plagued by a couple of interceptions and numerous dropped passes as they went 12-30 and picked up only 87 yards in the air. They also suffered from atrocious punting, as Gotoh uncharacteristically shanked several punts that gave Obic a field position advantage throughout much of the game, including his first punt of only 11 yards, and the last which went but 15.
QBs Sugawara went 6-10 and Yoshida was 12-18 passing for the Seagulls, each throwing a TD pass. Obic enjoyed a 13 minute advantage in T.O.P., which is not surprising given the Frontiers' no-huddle offensive attack introduced last year. But Obic seemed less affected by it this year, the Seagulls head coach Makoto Ohashi admitting that Obic has been practicing specifically for Fujitsu all spring long, as they will have to go through them in the autumn to repeat- actually "three-peat"- as X-League champions.
While they have enjoyed success in the X-Bowl over the last two years, the Seagulls won the Pearl Bowl for the first time since 2005. Kinoshita was named game MVP. In addition to his TD run, he had 5 catches for 40 yards and kick returns of 20 and 22 yards.
Obic started the scoring on a TD pass, an 18 yard end zone fade to Kentarou Mori from Shun Sugawara to make it 7-0 with 6:14 left in the first quarter. Each team kicked a field goal in the 2nd Quarter to make it 10-3 at halftime.
Fujitsu seemed to have momentum for most of the 2nd and 3rd quarters, moving the ball somewhat effectively on offense- mostly on the ground; and shutting down Obic nearly every time they tried to run wide. The Frontiers came out stronger in the 3rd quarter, as they returned the kickoff to the Obic 40 and drove to the 15, before missing a 32 yard FG.
The Seagulls went backwards on their next possession, and Fujitsu took over at the Obic 47. It took them four plays to get to the end zone, with Yuusuke Shinshi carrying the ball in from the 7 to tie the score. Obic responded on their next drive with a good return and a 12 play drive, but it stalled and ended with a missed FG.
But Fujitsu was not able to continue its success as a combination of bad breaks, and big plays by Furutani and Kinoshita put Obic back on top. Kinoshita took an end around 61 yards on an electrifying run as they scored with 2:33 left in the quarter to make it 17-10, and WR Shimizu hit Furutani on 40 yard pass on the first play of the 4th quarter put them up 24-10.
Nakanishi scored from 8 yards out to finish the scoring, making it 31-10 with 3:14 remaining.Fujitsu was plagued by a couple of interceptions and numerous dropped passes as they went 12-30 and picked up only 87 yards in the air. They also suffered from atrocious punting, as Gotoh uncharacteristically shanked several punts that gave Obic a field position advantage throughout much of the game, including his first punt of only 11 yards, and the last which went but 15.
QBs Sugawara went 6-10 and Yoshida was 12-18 passing for the Seagulls, each throwing a TD pass. Obic enjoyed a 13 minute advantage in T.O.P., which is not surprising given the Frontiers' no-huddle offensive attack introduced last year. But Obic seemed less affected by it this year, the Seagulls head coach Makoto Ohashi admitting that Obic has been practicing specifically for Fujitsu all spring long, as they will have to go through them in the autumn to repeat- actually "three-peat"- as X-League champions.
While they have enjoyed success in the X-Bowl over the last two years, the Seagulls won the Pearl Bowl for the first time since 2005. Kinoshita was named game MVP. In addition to his TD run, he had 5 catches for 40 yards and kick returns of 20 and 22 yards.
Friday, June 15, 2012
6/25 2012 Pearl Bowl
Arch-rivals Obic Seagulls and Fujitsu Frontiers meet once again on Monday night (June 25th) in the 2012 Pearl Bowl at Tokyo Dome. Kickoff is at 7 PM.
In the semi-finals Fujitsu dominated the Nojima Rise 31-6. Obic defeated the Kajima Deers in a shootout 47-31.
The Pearl Bowl crowns the X-League's Kanto area division I champion for the spring season (the Impulse took the Green Bowl for the Kansai title).
Tickets are 1,500 yen in advance and 2,000 yen at the door. Seating is non-reserved and children up to high school age are admitted free. The doors will open at 5 PM.
The Pearl Bowl crowns the X-League's Kanto area division I champion for the spring season (the Impulse took the Green Bowl for the Kansai title).
Tickets are 1,500 yen in advance and 2,000 yen at the door. Seating is non-reserved and children up to high school age are admitted free. The doors will open at 5 PM.
Monday, January 16, 2012
JPFF playoffs 2012-1-14
The Urawa Ulowers(!) will meet the Brandings in the Eastern Championship game on January 29th.
Urawa was able to hold off the Kawasaki Grizzlies in the first game, winning 19-14 on a late interception.
In the second game. The Tachikawa Falcons scored first, and The Brandings trailed at half-time 7-6, but came back with a big second half to defeat the Falcons 32-7.
The winner of the Eastern championship game will meet the western champion in February. The JPFF championship game is the latest of all leagues in Japan.
Urawa was able to hold off the Kawasaki Grizzlies in the first game, winning 19-14 on a late interception.
In the second game. The Tachikawa Falcons scored first, and The Brandings trailed at half-time 7-6, but came back with a big second half to defeat the Falcons 32-7.
The winner of the Eastern championship game will meet the western champion in February. The JPFF championship game is the latest of all leagues in Japan.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Rice Bowl LXV
January 3rd (Tuesday)
Kansai Gakuin vs. Obic Seagulls
14:00 Kickoff at The Big Egg (Tokyo)
Kansai Gakuin vs. Obic Seagulls
14:00 Kickoff at The Big Egg (Tokyo)
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