Japan: Dentsu Caterpillars earn gritty win over Shinagawa CC to grab sole possession of first in X-League Area East

AFI | American Football | 11/05/2024

Dentsu Caterpillars' Aaron Ellis slides after QB run Photo: @xleague

The Dentsu Caterpillars (4-1) defeated the Shinagawa CC Bullseyes (3-2) 24-21 this week to move into sole possession of first place in the X-League Area’s East Division.

Dentsu and entered the game in a tie with the Bullseyes atop the standings although they had the edge due to handing Shinagawa 62-3 thrashing earlier in the season.

This game however, was a different story.

Quarterback Aaron Ellis threw for a modest 148 yards and two touchdowns with receivers Kento Minami and Satoshi Onuki catching one each. Linebacker Sokichi Hata returned a fumble for a touchdown while kicker Takahiro Kudo booted a field goal.

For Shinagawa, running back Yuito Ikeda accounted for most of the scoring rushing for 87 yards and two touchdowns while quarterback Xun Ishii scored the third major.

Dentsu took a 14-0 lead on a scoring pass from Ellis to Minami and the fumble return touchdown by Hata. Shinagawa CC closed the gap to one score when Ikeda burst out for a 38-yard touchdown. However, Dentsu extended their lead to 21-7 on a 47-yard pass from Ellis to Onuki to close out the first half.

Shinagawa CC Bullzaiz RB Yuito Ikeda rushed for 2 TDs Photo: @xleague

In the second half, Shinagawa CC went on the offensive. While Ikeda and Ishii scored rushing touchdowns, the defense limited the Dentsu offense to just one field goal, and with less than six minutes left in the game, Dentsu’s lead was reduced to 24-21.

However, although the Dentsu offense did not find the end zone again, it did eat up the clock with the final drive consuming four minutes. By the time Shinagawa got the ball back, there was very little time and the Caterpillars defense did the rest, preventing even a first down.

With one game left in the regular season, Dentsu are in a position to advance to the promotional round where they would likely face the All Mitsubishi Lions. However, they face the 3-2 Metropolitan Police Department in the final game, the only team to defeat them this year. A Metropolitan win would drop the Caterpillars out of contention for promotion to the X-League Super.