Japan: Obic Seagulls strike late to edge Elecom Kobe Finies 24-21

The Obic Seagulls (5-0) survived a furious fourth-quarter comeback from the Elecom Kobe Finies (3-2), reclaiming the lead with 59 seconds remaining to escape with a 24-21 victory and remain unbeaten in the XLeague Premier.

Obic builds the advantage

The Seagulls controlled much of the game behind quarterback Pierce Holley, who completed 26 of 46 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Obic piled up 469 yards of offense and converted eight of 15 third downs while building a 17-6 advantage entering the fourth quarter.

Yuki Sakuma emerged as Holley’s biggest weapon, hauling in seven passes for 157 yards. Ryuya Yamanaka added four receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown, while Ryohei Nagao carried 11 times for 52 yards. Sakuma’s performance would eventually earn him game MVP honors.

But Elecom Kobe refused to go quietly.

Finies storm back

The Finies flipped the game with their defense and special teams. Seio Kuroyanagi blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown, and the successful two-point conversion suddenly cut Obic’s lead to 17-14.

Then the defense struck again.

Taii Masagaya intercepted Holley and raced 59 yards with the return, setting up Elecom Kobe at the three-yard line. Quarterback Xeaivier Bullock finished the job himself, powering into the end zone to put the Finies ahead 21-17 with 3:14 remaining.

Bullock finished 13 of 26 for 127 yards and a touchdown while adding 35 yards and another score on 14 carries. Takato Ito caught the touchdown pass, while Harusei Asaki led the Finies with 33 receiving yards.

Holley and Sakuma deliver

With its unbeaten start suddenly in danger, Obic answered immediately.

Holley moved the Seagulls back downfield, converting a fourth down through the air to keep the drive alive. Then came the biggest play of the afternoon. Holley went to Sakuma for a 39-yard touchdown with just 59 seconds left, snatching the lead back at 24-21.

The late strike capped Sakuma’s seven-catch, 157-yard afternoon and completed Holley’s 363-yard, two-touchdown performance.

Colby Campbell led the Elecom Kobe defense with six tackles, while Masagaya supplied the interception that nearly turned the game. Mehki Miller paced Obic with five tackles.

The Finies had erased an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit and stood less than three minutes from handing Obic its first loss. Instead, Holley and Sakuma delivered when the Seagulls needed them most, sending Obic to 5-0 while Elecom Kobe dropped its second straight game.