The Nojima Sagamihara Rise (1-2-1) broke into the win column in impressive fashion this past weekend, knocking off the previously unbeaten Elecom Kobe Finies (3-1) 20-7 in a Japanese X League Premier matchup at Sagamihara Gion Stadium.
After falling behind early, Nojima capitalized on turnovers, controlled the second half, and handed one of the league’s top teams its first loss of the season.
Momentum shifts quickly
Elecom Kobe struck first when quarterback David Pindell found tight end Takechi Matsumura for the game’s opening touchdown, giving the visitors a 7-0 lead.
The turning point came soon afterward. Nojima recovered an Elecom fumble and immediately made the extra possession count. Quarterback Kurt Palandech took advantage, connecting with Koshiro Miyazawa for the tying touchdown.
The momentum swung even further when Pindell was injured late in the opening quarter. Although Elecom continued to battle, its offense never regained the same rhythm.
Rise take control
The second half belonged to Nojima.
After Elecom Kobe came up empty on a fourth-down gamble, the Rise wasted little time making the visitors pay. Sho Yoshizawa burst through the defense on a 29-yard touchdown run to put Nojima in front for good.
Palandech later put the finishing touches on the victory, finding Chase Kota for a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter that stretched the lead to 20-7.
Nojima Sagamihara QB Kurt Parandech evading defender Photo: ©XLeague
Palandek delivered one of his best performances of the season, completing 23 of 30 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns while finishing with a 76.7 percent completion rate. Kota led the receivers with nine catches for 86 yards and a touchdown, while Junpei Yimoto added four receptions for 59 yards. Yoshizawa contributed on the ground with 62 rushing yards and the go-ahead score.
Defense seals the win
The Nojima defense backed up the offense with a disciplined effort after the early touchdown.
The unit limited Elecom Kobe to seven points the rest of the way and forced the mistakes that changed the course of the game. Takumi Iwasaki recorded an interception, while Kiki Tanaka and Johnson Ravon helped disrupt the passing game with pass breakups.
For Elecom Kobe, Tatsuya Miki finished with 72 receiving yards, but the offense never found another trip to the end zone after its opening drive.
The victory gives Nojima valuable momentum heading into the second half of the X League Premier season, while Elecom Kobe remains among the league’s contenders despite suffering its first setback.