Japan came from behind in the fourth quarter to take a 10-7 lead and then produce a game-ending interception to defeat Germany in the second game of the 2009 IFAF Junior Championship at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
A perfectly disguised double reverse caught Germany by surprise as Japan trailed 7-3 and led to the decisive touchdown, a quarterback keeper from 8 yards out by MVP Kazuma Endo.
"It was a secret play that in this very tight situation we were waiting for the right opportunity to use," Endo said. "When my high school team made it to a championship game, we used that same play to win with 30 seconds to play."
Germany punted away its next possession with only two minutes remaining but got the ball back and threatened to steal victory. An option pass by Eric Husgen fell narrowly short of his intended receiver, who would have had a clear run to the end zone. With the clock ticking down, quarterback Robert Demers was intercepted by Keizaburo Isagawa to end the game.
Germany's scoring drive in the first quarter came following a handoff to half back Randall Payne, who ran the ball down the sideline to the Japan 40-yard line. Quarterback Jens Kriete produced a 40-yard pass to wide receiver Lars Samjeske in the end zone and the extra point was good for a 7-0 advantage.
Japan was held in check for most of the first half, managing only 31 rushing yards.
Ando completed a 15-yard pass to wide receiver Naoki Shigematsu for a first down, then after an incompletion found Shigematsu wide open for a 20-yard connection and the first down. Just when a Japan drive was looking promising, Ando was intercepted at the 5-yard line by defensive back Mark Nzecho, but Germany was unable to capitalize.
After Jumepi Yoshimoto and running back Shun Kitagawa earned first downs, Shoma Endo split the uprights in the third quarter from 32 yards out to reduce the deficit to four points.
On the game-winning drive, Ando found Shigematsu open for an 18-yard completion, ran 9 yards himself and Shu Inoue gained a rushing first down before the double reverse picked up 22 yards and put Japan within striking distance of the end zone. On a keeper, Ando burst through the middle to secure victory.
German defensive coordinator Andreas Reichel said afterwards: "It was a tough fight against a well coached team, and the team that had the most luck won. Sometimes your tricks win, sometimes they don't."
Japan head coach Takao Yamazaki said: "They were powerful not only in size but also their quarterback was big and strong, and we have never experienced playing against a team like that. Their speed was outside my expectations."
Explaining his strategy of splitting playing time between two quarterbacks, Ando and Araki, Yamazaki said: "I have got two very good quarterbacks today, and maybe I will use three in the next game. I like to decide as the game progresses."
Japan Recovers to Defeat Germany
June 27, 2009, revised July 1, 2009
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Japan had much to celebrate, as the team was able to come from behind and defeat a resilient German squad 10-7.