In a thrilling showdown at Ebina Sports Park Athletics Stadium, IBM Big Blue (2-4) pulled off a dramatic comeback against the Fujifilm Ebina Minerva AFC (1-5), edging them 28-24. This victory not only marked a crucial win for IBM but also secured them the final playoff spot in the Rice Bowl Tournament.
Fujifilm takes early control
The game opened with Fujifilm’s quarterback Chevan Cordeiro showcasing his dual-threat ability. He opened the scoring with a 12-yard touchdown run and later connected with wide receiver Shoei Koyama for a 30-yard touchdown pass, giving Fujifilm a 14-7 lead by halftime. Cordeiro continued to impress, adding a 63-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, after an Ikuya Ohno field goal, pushing Fujifilm ahead 24-14.
IBM’s late-game surge
Despite trailing by 10 points, IBM refused to back down. The turning point came in the fourth quarter when running back Ikuha Hiramatsu and Shoei Itami led a relentless ground attack. Hiramatsu scored a 4-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 24-21. With less than a minute remaining, IBM’s offense executed a crucial drive, culminating in Hiramatsu’s 5-yard touchdown run, which put them ahead 28-24.
Defensive stand seals the win
As Fujifilm attempted to respond, IBM’s defense stepped up, stopping their final drive deep in their territory. Linebacker Takahiro Motegi delivered a decisive sack, sealing the victory for IBM and ensuring their place in the postseason.
Statistical highlights
Yuki Masamoto led IBM’s offense, completing 21 of 28 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns, with Tommy Auger being his top target, catching 11 passes for 113 yards. On the ground, Hiramatsu rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns. For Fujifilm, Cordeiro had a standout performance with 124 rushing yards and two touchdowns, along with 205 passing yards and one touchdown.
With this win, IBM Big Blue has turned the season around, setting the stage for an exciting playoff run.
Source: XLeague
