The game down in Koshien Bowl is not all that is happening this Sunday.
In the Tokyo area, at Edogawa Rikujo-kyogi-jo track and field stadium in Nishi Kasai, the Urban League Championship game will kick off at 13:30. Vying for the crown will be the Battle Hawks and the Thunderbirds. Each won a hardfought semifinal game to reach the championship game: the Battle Hawks scored a lone touchdown in the 3rd Quarter, but that was enough to defeat the (Edogawa River) E.R. Cougars 7-0. In second semi-final game, the Thunderbirds took even longer to defeat the Roebucks: in a game that went scoreless in regulation, the Thunderbirds scored a TD in overtime to win 6-0.
But perhaps the most interesting game on Sunday- from a human perspective that is- will be at the same stadium before that. The 2nd Annual Outreach Bowl will feature two teams of guys who just can't hang up their cleats. The Over 39ers will face the Under 59ers-and apparently not all of them really are under 59(!)- but essentially guys in their forties and fifties, strappin'em up, and bringin' it on. Apparently there a re a few special rules to protect the knees and limiting tackling, but still football for those whose passion for the game just will not fade away.
