Nihon University freshman quarterback Ryohei Takahashi connected with slot back Yoshimasa Iwamatsu on a 66-yard touchdown strike, and the defense shut down Hosei University as the Phoenix defeated the Tomahawks 13-6 in the Azuma Bowl on Sunday to clinch their first Kanto Collegiate League title in two years and 21st overall.
The Phoenix will face Tohoku University on Dec. 1 at Tokyo's Amino Vital Stadium for the East Japan championship, which comes with a spot in the Koshien Bowl, the collegiate national championship game, on Dec. 15 against the West Japan representative. Kwansei Gakuin University captured the Kansai League crown with a 6-0-1 record after a scoreless tie with rival Ritsumeikan University at Osaka's Nagai Stadium on Sunday and is to play Meijo University of Nagoya for the Koshien Bowl berth on Dec. 1 at Oji Stadium in Kobe.
Playing before a crowd of 13,200 at Yokohama Stadium, the Kanto's powerhouses played for the league championship for the third straight year. Unlike the previous two championship games, which saw combined scores of 44 and 45 respectively, Sunday's showdown was a low-scoring affair.