Japan: Panasonic Impulse clinch first with dominant win over Tokyo Gas Creators

AFI | American Football | 11/10/2025

Panasonic QB Yuya Araki running with the ball Photo: © XLeague

In a masterful performance, the Panasonic Impulse (6-0) defeated the Tokyo Gas Creators (3-3) 42-3 in the sixth round of the X1 SUPER, securing first place overall in the league standings. This victory capped off a perfect regular season for Panasonic, showcasing their offensive firepower and defensive prowess.

Offensive explosion
The Impulse wasted no time establishing their dominance. Running back Victor Jamal Mitchell opened the scoring with a 42-yard touchdown run just before the end of the first quarter. After a field goal from Tokyo Gas’ Shun Shiramoto, Mitchell struck again, adding another touchdown to give Panasonic a 14-3 lead. The Impulse continued to roll, with Yuya Araki and Hiromitsu Kobayashi each contributing rushing touchdowns in the second and third quarters, respectively.

Panasonic’s offensive line created ample opportunities for their running backs, allowing them to rack up impressive yardage. Mitchell led the charge with 141 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries, while Takuya Fujimoto added a touchdown and 47 rushing yards. The Impulse’s ability to score on the ground was complemented by a solid passing game, with Hiromitsu Kobayashi completing 5 of 6 passes for 62 yards.

Defensive dominance
While the offense shined, the Panasonic defense was equally impressive, shutting out the Tokyo Gas offense for the entire second half. The Creators struggled to find their rhythm, with quarterback Yuhito Taniguchi completing only 6 of 15 passes for 22 yards. The Impulse defense consistently pressured Taniguchi, limiting the Creators to just three points throughout the game.

Looking ahead
With this victory, the Panasonic Impulse solidified their status as a top contender heading into the postseason. They will look to carry this momentum into the playoffs, where they aim to continue their winning streak. Meanwhile, the Tokyo Gas Creators will need to regroup and find ways to improve as they prepare for their next matchup.

Source: XLeague