Japan: Dentsu Caterpillars down Metropolitan Police Department Eagles to earn chance at promotion to top league

The Dentsu Caterpillars (5-1) earned a measure of revenge in beating the Metropolitan Police Department Eagles 23-15 this past weekend at Yokohama Stadium.

The Caterpillars had suffered a 14-9 loss to the Eagles earlier in the season.

The win earned Dentsu first place in the X1 Area East Division and a chance to gain promotion to the X1 Super. They will face the All-Mitsubishi Lions on November 30 at Fujitsu Stadium Kawasaki. The Lions are in fourth place in the X1 Super East Division.

Metropolitan Police Department Eagles RB Keisei Umeno Photo: @xleague

Caterpillars quarterback Aaron Ellis completed 11 of 15 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns in the win with Ravon Johnson catching both scoring passes. Running back Sho Kitamura also added a rushing touchdown while Takahiro Kudo booted a 33 yard field goal.

For the Eagles, Kengo Sawada threw a touchdown pass to Riku Kuwahara and running back Aoi Ito added another touchdown on the ground.

The game changed to Dentsu’s favor in the fourth quarter. With the Caterpillars holding on to a 14-9 lead at the seven minute mark of the final period, defensive back Kei Sugiyama picked off Sawada. Ellis made no mistake on the next possession connecting with Johnson for a 61 yard back breaking touchdown to boost Dentsu’s lead to 20-9 after a missed PAT.

Dentsu RB Sho Kitamura scored a third quarter TD Photo: @xleague

The Dentsu defense rose up keeping the Lions in check and with less than two minutes left Kudo kicked the field goal to put the game effectively out of reach for the Lions.

Sawada did connect with wide receiver Riku Kuwahara in the end zone on the final play of the game to improve the score to 23-15.

Source: X-League