Frontiers open 2nd stage with a bang, blast Black Eagles

OSAKA (Nov. 3)—By winning their first division title in four years, the Fujitsu Frontiers established themselves as one of the teams to beat in the battle for the league championship. The As One Black Eagles certainly won’t dispute that assessment.

Keita Takanohashi and Yusuke Shinshi rushed for two touchdowns each and Keiya Hiramoto threw for two scores—all in the first half—as the East Division champion Frontiers demolished the Black Eagles 55-0 on Sunday in their second-stage opener at Osaka’s Nagai Stadium.

Hidetetsu Nishimura kicked a pair of field goals, from 22 and 49 yards out, in the second half, and Yuichi Kon completed the scoring with a 16-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Fujitsu, which beat the powerful Kajima Deers for the division title, outscored its opponents 265-20 in the first stage, second only in both categories to the Panasonic Impulse. That statistic was reflected in how the Frontiers dominated on both sides of the line against As One, which finished third in the West Division.

The Frontiers intercepted four passes by quarterback Kohei Tahara, who was limited to 13 completions on 32 attempts for 114 yards. The defense held As One to 74 yards on the ground and 10 first downs.

Hiramoto had a nearly perfect day passing, completing 16 of 17 for 238 yards, with Teruaki Clark Nakamura grabbing a game-high six receptions for 93 yards. Hiramoto threw second-quarter touchdown passes of six yards to Sei Kyo and 41 to Takeshi Akiyama as Fujitsu went into halftime leading 42-0. Backup QB Akihiro Izuhara went 7 for 10 for 178 yards.

Takanohashi started the rout with a 12-yard touchdown run 5:11 into the game. Shinshi added the second with a 36-yard scamper, then went over from the 1 with  :44 left in the first quarter. Seventy seconds later, Takanohashi scored from the 17.

Shinshi finished with 64 yards on nine carries, while Takanohashi rushed for 44 yards on seven attempts. Kon added 36 yards on eight carries.

As One (3-3) next faces the Central Division runner-up Nojima Sagamihara Rise on Nov. 10 at Kobe’s Oji Stadium. Fujitsu (6-0), looking to win its first league title after going 0-4 in championship game appearances dating back to 2002, continues its campaign by facing the Rise to complete the second stage on Nov. 17 at Yokohama Stadium.