Japan: All Mitsubishi Lions overwhelm SEKISUI Challengers with 48-21 win

The All Mitsubishi Lions (2-2) erupted for 20 second-quarter points and forced three interceptions after halftime to roll past the SEKISUI Challengers (0-4-1) 48-21 at Fujitsu Stadium Kawasaki, getting their X League Premier fall schedule off to a flying start.

Challengers strike first

SEKISUI landed the opening punch as Garrett Safron moved the offense 84 yards in nine plays. He finished the drive by hitting Boogie Knight for a 19-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

The Lions answered immediately. Isaiah Khalil Malcome broke off runs of 18 and nine yards during an 80-yard march before Demarcus Irons Jr. found him for a nine-yard touchdown to tie the game.

Lions explode before halftime

All Mitsubishi took over in the second quarter.

Malcome ripped off a 27-yard run to start an 80-yard drive, and Irons finished it himself, breaking loose for a 31-yard touchdown. On the next possession, Malcome tore off another 34-yard run before Tetsuya Nakano punched through from 11 yards to make it 21-7.

Then the special teams delivered the knockout blow of the half. Kei Shirai fielded a punt and raced 66 yards for a touchdown, sending the Lions into halftime with a 27-7 advantage.

Defense turns up the pressure

The Lions wasted little time adding to the lead after the break. Taku Kaizaki intercepted Safron and returned it 29 yards, and Irons cashed in the short field with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Takeshi Fukuda.

Safron responded by taking SEKISUI 58 yards and finding Takuro Abe for a 14-yard score, cutting the deficit to 34-14. But the Challengers could get no closer.

The All Mitsubishi defense intercepted three passes in the second half, with Kaizaki, Daijiro Noguchi and Tomoya Okuse each coming away with one. Taijh Alston added two sacks as the Lions repeatedly stopped SEKISUI from building any momentum.

Nakano finishes it off

Nakano opened the fourth quarter by ripping off a 16-yard run and then carrying it the final nine yards for his second touchdown. Moments later, Noguchi’s interception handed the Lions another short field, and Nao Mizukoshi broke free for a 24-yard touchdown to stretch the lead to 48-14.

Nakano finished with 45 yards and two touchdowns on six carries and earned game MVP honors. Malcome was even more explosive, rushing for 100 yards on only six carries while adding a receiving touchdown. Irons completed 14 of 16 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another 54 yards and a score.

Eisuke Uno connected with Ethan Jura for an 18-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, but All Mitsubishi had long since taken command, finishing with seven touchdowns and a convincing 48-21 victory.