The undefeated, second-seeded Obic Seagulls (6-0) are set to face a familiar and gritty opponent in the seventh-seeded Elecom Kobe Finies (2-3-1), who clawed their way into the final playoff spot. This quarterfinal matchup is a repeat of a Week 5 battle that Obic won 34-25, a game where Elecom Kobe‘s relentless tenacity shone through until the very end.
Obic’s Aerial Assault
The Obic Seagulls are a powerhouse on both sides of the ball, but their offense is truly their crown jewel. It all runs through quarterback Pierce Holley, who isn’t just having a good season—he’s having a historic one. Holley leads the entire XLeague in passing yards (1,894) and touchdowns (21), all while throwing a mere two interceptions. His incredible accuracy and decision-making fuel a destructive passing attack. His top receivers, Jamal Watanabe (558 yards, 7 TDs) and Yuki Sakuma, have been reliable targets, consistently turning his precise throws into big gains.
Elecom Kobe’s Dual-Threat Challenge
The Elecom Kobe Finies are the definition of a tough squad. They play with a tenacity that keeps them in every game, led by the dynamic and unpredictable quarterback David Pindell. While a capable passer (1,276 yards, 8 TDs), Pindell’s most dangerous weapon is his legs; his 221 rushing yards and 3 scores make him the team’s most potent ground threat. His combination of explosive speed and field vision allows him to extend plays, often connecting with top receiver Daiki Uchida (577 yards, 4 TDs) downfield. Their previous loss to Obic was defined by Obic‘s success in containing Pindell’s runs, holding him to just 11 yards on 17 carries. Correcting this and establishing his ground game is their absolute key to pulling off an upset.
Keys to the Game
For Elecom Kobe, the path to victory is clear: linebacker Colby Campbell must find a way to pressure the nearly flawless Pierce Holley and disrupt his rhythm. For Obic, it’s about sticking to a winning formula. Their defense, featuring ball-hawking DB Jason Smith (top three in interceptions), needs to replicate its previous success by containing Pindell and forcing him into passing situations. Will Obic‘s comprehensive strength prevail, or can Elecom Kobe‘s momentum and quest for revenge topple a giant?
Source: XLeague