Japan: Obic Seagulls overpower Tokyo Gas Creators in dominant X League showcase

The Obic Seagulls (2-0) routed the Tokyo Gas Creators (1-1) 39-7 at Daiichi Cutter Field, fueled by rookie RBs Kotaro Hironaga and Hayasuke Shimada and QB Pierce Holley’s 329-yard passing display to remain unbeaten in X League play.

Rookie RB duo ignites early surge
First-year backs Hironaga and Shimada combined for three first-half rushing touchdowns, erasing any doubt early. Hironaga’s 3-yard TD opened scoring, followed by Shimada’s back-to-back scores (5:50 and 9:06 in Q2). Kicker Joji Yamazaki added a 27-yard field goal, staking Obic to a 24-0 halftime lead. Shimada finished with 65 rushing yards, while Hironaga added 6 yards and a score.

Holley’s balanced leadership seals win
The offseason QB acquisition Holley (31/40 passing, 329 yards, 1 TD) showcased dual-threat versatility, capping a third-quarter drive with a 1-yard rushing TD and connecting with Shogo Narita for a fourth-quarter 20-yard score. His top target, Holden Huff, racked up 108 receiving yards, including a 42-yard highlight grab.

Defense stifles Tokyo Gas attack
Obic limited Tokyo Gas to 15 total rushing yards and forced QB Takehito Taniguchi into a 11/25, 106-yard struggle. The lone highlight came via DB Soichiro Nishikawa’s 35-yard interception return TD in Q3, but Obic’s defense otherwise allowed just 2.8 yards per play. LB Nishimura Shichito (32 rushing yards) and DL Jamal Watanabe (4 tackles) anchored the front seven.

Efficiency, special teams fuel rout
Yamazaki’s flawless kicking (5/5 PATs, 1 FG) and Obic’s 6-of-7 red-zone efficiency contrasted sharply with Tokyo Gas’s 0-for-3 third-down struggles. The Seagulls’ 445 total yards dwarfed the Creators’ 129, cementing their status as title contenders.

The Seagulls’ 2-0 start signals a balanced offensive threat, while Tokyo Gas must regroup after a deflating road loss.

Source: XLeague