Tokyo Gas Creators Best Bulls In Brawl

Never mind that the Creators jumped out in front of the Bulls 17-0 with five minutes left in the first. Pay no attention to the score which was never close as Tokyo Gas gained 41 points to the Bulls’ 21. This game wasn’t about the scores, it was about the energy and intensity these two teams fought with against each other. This was an absolute slug fest, a game that constantly blurred the line between solid play and penalty. This was the kind of game that saw punt returners be dealt punishing blows that jarred the ball loose. The kind of game where an offensive lineman decided that if he was going to be called for holding, he might as well drive his man into the ground. The kind of game where that same right tackle would be thrown to the ground with a decisive swipe so the defensive end could upend the quarterback for one of eight tackles for loss in the game. 

Normally when there are four turnovers in a game, including three egregious interceptions in the same quarter, and eight penalties you would call that game sloppy; but, sloppiness is not the proper word for this game. Physical is the only word that can give this game any justice. Whether it was a great play or a bone-headed mistake, these players laid their bodies out for their teammates. The two teams went home battered, one went home beaten, but both should hold their heads high.

Devin Hester-esque Play of the Day: With 7:00 left in the first quarter, the Bulls punted the ball for the first time to the Creators’ return specialist and backup wide receiver, Daichi Iwakoshi. Iwakoshi had burned the Bulls’ special teams on the initial kickoff for over 60 yards, but the Bulls didn’t learn their lesson. Iwakoshi caught the ball at the 50 and instantly dashed to the right and sped past the first two lines of coverage. He was eventually tracked down and a Bulls player got a piece of his jersey; but, Iwakoshi shook off the defender and stiff armed another before barreling into the endzone for a 50 yard return touchdown to put the Creators up 10-0. The Bulls made sure that the ball never got near #9 for the rest of the game.           

- C.J. Ryan: May 7th 2017

Tokyo Gas Creators (41) - (21) Bulls Football Club

Photos: Chris Pfaff - May 7th 2017: Fujitsu Stadium