Obic Seagulls and Tokyo Gas Creators set for XLeague semifinal rematch

The Obic Seagulls and Tokyo Gas Creators are set to face off in a highly anticipated XLeague semifinal rematch at Uvance and Doroki Stadium by Fujitsu Access, where Obic will look to repeat their dominant regular-season performance while Tokyo Gas seeks redemption and a chance to prove their growth.

Obic’s offensive firepower

The Seagulls enter this matchup as heavy favorites after their overwhelming 39-7 victory over Tokyo Gas earlier this season. Quarterback Pierce Holley was the driving force behind that win, throwing for over 300 yards and leading a balanced attack that scored four of its five touchdowns on the ground. Holley finished the regular season as the league’s top passer, completing 154 of 208 attempts for 1,894 yards and 21 touchdowns with just two interceptions. His connection with receivers Jamal Watanabe (558 yards, 7 TDs) and Takaya Yamanaka (323 yards, 3 TDs) gives Obic one of the most dangerous passing attacks in the league. Defensively, the Seagulls ranked second in the regular season, making them a complete and formidable unit.

Tokyo Gas’s path to improvement

Tokyo Gas faces a significant challenge after their earlier loss to Obic, but they have shown signs of growth throughout the season. Quarterback Yuhito Taniguchi struggled in the first meeting, throwing four interceptions, but he demonstrated improved decision-making in the Rice Bowl tournament quarterfinal by recording his first 200-yard passing game. The offense will need to establish consistency under pressure, while the defense—which recorded three sacks in the previous matchup, including two from defensive lineman Iku Yoshida—must disrupt Holley’s rhythm with their front-line rush. Although Tokyo Gas ranks eighth in offense and sixth in defense, their second-ranked field goal success rate could prove valuable in a close game.

Keys to the game

For Tokyo Gas to pull off the upset, they must avoid early mistakes and keep the game within reach. Their defense needs to pressure Holley and force turnovers, while Taniguchi must limit interceptions and manage the game effectively. Obic, meanwhile, will aim to control the tempo from the start with their high-powered offense and aggressive defense. If Tokyo Gas can turn this into a competitive matchup, their special teams accuracy could become a factor. However, given Obic’s overall dominance and previous result, they remain the clear favorites to advance to the next round.