Japan: Game MVP WR Tay Cunningham helps Nojima Sagamihara to a comfortable win

The Nojima Sagamihara Rise (2-0) remain undefeated in Japan’s X-League after earning a solid 31-11 win over Fujifilm Ebina Minerva AFC (0-2) this past weekend in a game played at Sagamihara Gion Stadium and dubbed the Sagamihara Mayor’s Cup to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the city’s incorporation

 

This year, Nojima Sagamihara went looking to add a deep pass threat to their traditional run-based offense and seemingly found it in wide receiver Tay Cunningham. Quarterback Kurt Palandech (formerly of the UNLV Rebels) took full advantage throwing for 200 yards on 14 of 19 passing with 115 of those going to Cunningham. The wily receiver hauled in eight passes from Palandech including one for a touchdown.

The Rise jumped out to a 14-3 halftime lead adding two more touchdowns in the third quarter before Fujifilm finally found the end zone on a Takashi Suzuki to Akiei Koyama touchdown pass.

Palandech tossed two touchdown passes one to Cunningham while running backs Sho Yoshizawa and Ryunosuke Kawamura scored one each on the ground.

For Fujifilm Ebina it was a long afternoon. They developed an offense centered on the throwing ability of quarterback Takashi Suzuki, but they were unable to take advantage after two interceptions which the Rise ultimately converted into touchdowns killed their momentum.

With the win, Nojima Sagamihara remain unbeaten while Fujifilm Ebina drop to 0-2.

The Rise are back in action on September 29 when they face their toughest test, the Fujitsu Frontiers while Fujifilm take on the Oriental Bio Silver Star, also on the 29th.