*September 8th, Shimizu Field, 6:00*

Here at Shimizu field is where the Goliath resides, the Teikoku Alexanders, a team whose dominance has lasted since its inception in 1980. They have never lost a game regular season or playoffs, they've never trailed in any game, and they've never lost a single Christmas bowl in their entire existence.

Running headlong into the lion's den are the Higitsunes. Like many teams before them they're looking to end this streak and free Japan from the curse of the Alexanders, but just like many teams before they're going in as underdogs.

The Alexanders won the coin toss, and Hamasaki jokingly states that "They can't even let us win that." At kickoff their returner comes in with monstrous return that's only stopped when Tetsuo is able to wrestle them down at the Higitsunes own 44 yard line.

Ryoo's prized flame curtain seems to be doused, as the D-line is beaten up front for back to back 6 yard running plays. Their pass is just as effective, Teikoku at the end of the drive being able to complete a quick big gain for a quick 6 points. A PAT brings it to 7, and after that it was the Higitsunes turn to up against Teikoku's vaunted defense.

They line up in their iconic 46 defense, but to the surprise of all in attendance the Higitsunes O-line is able to hold strong against them. Despite the line's best efforts, Yuu and Susumu kept on getting eaten up in the backfield, and now at 3rd down and very long Haru drops back to pass only for his pass to be picked off.

Teikoku's placed on their 34, and they barrel ahead, however their pass seemingly had gotten caught in a slump against the Higitsunes new dime package. Still, Teikoku could run, and they were more than content to simply run over the Higitsunes instead of going to the air.

They score once more to go into the second quarter with a commanding, yet unspectacular 14 point lead. The quarter went on, with the Higitsunes getting bullied up and down the field. But this was far from a massacre, and on the sidelines Coach Hamasaki looks at his team with full confidence.

They saw more success on the next drive, being able to drag themselves into field goal range and make it Higitsunes were still 14-3, however to the surprise of all in attendance this was far less a massacre than anyone expected. By the 1st quarter even some of the most skilled veteran teams were at least 28 in the hole, however by a thread the scrappy little Higitsunes were holding on.

Teikoku's next drive saw to extinguish the small hope that they still had, and as time ticked down in the second quarter they were able to seal one more score in to top off the quarter.

---

After the score it was time for the PAT, and despite the dire circumstances the Higitsunes were showing absolutely no quit in them. Lining up in to block the kick they get ready for a fight.

The longsnap goes back, and the flame curtain starts trying to push back the line, and they're able to push their way into position for Hiroki to be able to tip the ball back. On the outer wings Yuji was able to snag the ball and started running away for a touchdown.

The Alexanders paused for a second while the Higitsunes wasted no time in running ahead and making a wall of white jerseys, and when the Alexanders had finally snapped out of it, it was too late; Yuji was able to rush it in, and despite it only being two points they were celebrating as if they had won the super bowl.

The Alexanders on the other hand were in a mix of shock and anger. Angry that they let the kick get blocked, but shocked that it could even happen. Still, time had expired and the air conditioned refuge of the locker room was just around the corner. Both teams filed away for half time with a score of 20-5.

---

The Higitsunes were all in their locker room, they were all silently trying to think of some ridiculous comeback strategy. 

"Alright, nobody hurt?" Hamasaki asks looking around the room, "I only ask because I know you guys would try to tough it out."

They all shake their heads.

"Okay, so, there is only an 18 point difference, but as you guys may have expected, that's part of the plan." He adds walking up to the chalk board.

Truth was none of them thought that there was any plan to this massacre, but they nodded in agreement anyway.

"Jun!" He says looking over to his player.

"Yeah?" He replies.

"I want you to set up, between the guard and center diagonally like this." He says sketching out the new defense, "They're either going to have to double team you, or let you get to the backfield. Now they're playing with 10 players."

He nods and Hamasaki looks to the other side of the room.

"Corners." He says to them.

The corners all perk up and look at their coach.

"You are slower, and not going to catch these receivers napping, but You guys are bigger than their receivers, now, you have these 5 yards." He says circling the part on the chalkboard, "Where you hit them anyway they want, so I want you to try and put them on the floor!"

They all nodded and prepared themselves for war.

"Listen, it's Teikoku, this is going to be tough, but think about how nice it would be to knock them down a peg or two." He says before pausing and looking back around "I know us, and I know us well, we may not be more talented, we may not be as big, but I know we're tougher than anyone on that team could dream of being."

The locker room now had a different aura one of hope. The cookie cutter speech seemed to be just what the doctor ordered and suddenly the 15 point deficit wasn't looking as imposing as it once was.

---

The Higitsunes came back out and onto the field to return the ball and thanks to some beautiful blocking Teikoku's only able to drag Yuji down on the 32 yard line.

Whether it be fatigue or something else, the Alexander's defense was unable to stop them, and the Higitsunes were able to run their way all the way down to the Alexander's 42 yard line.

"Yuji, I'm targeting you!" Haru says before finally breaking the huddle.

The Higitsunes all go out and line up in their respective positions in their power I formation. 

"Blue 15! Blue 15! Down set hut!" Haru yells as the ball is snapped back to him.

Haru fakes the ball to Yuu and rolls out to this left, uncharacteristically the usually eagle eyed Alexander's defense takes the bait and one of the corners flows in. While this happens Yuji runs his wheel route to the left and with nothing but green grass and opens lanes accompanying him. Haru spirals the ball beautifully to his receiver and he's able to run it in for a quick and easy touchdown.

The Higitsunes all celebrated this small yet impactful victory. Arata kicked in the PAT and the score was now 20-9, a two score game. It was a small win for the Higitsunes, but for the Alexanders it was a massive striking blow into their own personal notions of their own invincibility. 

The game continued, the Higitsunes new defense was now consistently winning on the line and receivers were having issue with the new pancake and run coverage. The Alexanders were still the Alexanders however, and ultimately they were only able to slow them down rather than truly secure a stop. A touchdown and PAT later the game was now 28-12, a three score game.

They were successful on one front, they slowed them down enough to draw out most of the rest of the 3rd quarter. The Higitsunes receive the kickoff and a touchback sets them on the 25 yard line. Wasting no time they line up in a new split back formation and prepare a fast tempo offense. Haru's quarterbacking skills are put to the test as he has to rally the team. His efforts pay off with a quick touchdown via a beautiful touchdown pass to Komatsu. The score was now 28-19.

Arata kicks in the back of the end zone for a touchback, and the Higitsunes were back on defense. Whether it was fatigue, or a crumbling self image, the Alexanders looked like they were starting to letup. They passed their way to a single first down, however after running it a few times it was 3rd and 5 on their own 48. Keiji wrestles his way through the left tackle and secures a sack forcing them to punt for the first time since 1996. Win or lose, this would be a historic game for the world of the Japanese Highschool Football.

The game was starting to get attention. Someone was putting up a fight against the mighty Teikoku Alexanders, and people were starting to notice. A no name team from a school on down low in terms of athletics was putting up against the 'invincible team'. 

Yuji comes in with a monstrous return placing them on their 40, and the offense was getting back to work. Haru passes their way to a quick touchdown, and the score was now 28-26. Now with 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter, there was only one last option for victory.

They set up the onside kick, if they ran this play 100 times they would only succeed twice. Nobody liked the odds, but if they couldn't pull it off, this was it. Arata kicks the ball, and it rolls clumsily on the ground, everyone rushed ahead to attempt to recover it and the resulting scrum came out in the Alexander's favor.

With the ball in the Alexander's possession, it seemed as if all hope was lost. A close fought, yet inevitable outcome in which nobody thought lower of the Higitsunes. The looked to be over, but as far as the Higitsunes still trotted back out on defense.

"Come on guys, the game isn't over yet." Haru says while they were all grabbing water. "If nothing else, we can make them hurt."

"Sounds good to me." Takumi replies.

The timeout was up and they all run back out onto the field. The Alexanders run their play and the defense gets after them. 3rd down and the Alexander's quarterback drops back to fire a long bomb to their receivers, however Keiji breaks through and pressured they throw the ball and hope for the best.

It spirals through the air and reaches far into the end zone. It seemed as if it was going to be another score, but just in the nick of time Isamu's able to get the hand in as he collapses back down onto the endzone.

With a miracle twist, the Higitsunes once again had the ball, but being placed on the 25 yard line meant they would have to trek at least 40 yards downfield in 2 minutes. It was a task and a half, but the Higitsunes ran and passed their way  down the field. 

Just in the nick of time with 8 seconds left on the clock they just barely get in field goal range . There was no time to try and get any closer. The Higitsunes set up and hoped and prayed that Arata was able to punch it in for the win.

As they set up the kick all four of the people  on the Higitsunes' sideline were holding hands all of them saying a silent prayer. The ball's snapped back and Haru holds it perfectly, and finally Arata kicks it up into the air.

"The kick is up." The announcer says watching the ball tumble through the air.

It looked to be going the right direction, but whether it be a gust of wind or the kick was just destined to go there the ball started to veer wide right. The players and coaches looked and winced in pain as they finally saw the ball pass to the right of the uprights.

The minutes afterward were a blur, they did the general after game song and dance but all with a look of deadness in their eyes. Boarding back on the bus they started the somewhat lengthy drive back to Ryoo. Everyone was silent, there wasn't anything to be said, the player just wanted to go home and sleep after such a taxing loss.

"Hey guys, we're back." Hamasaki said to his half dead squad of misfits.

The sleeping ones all wiped off their faces and looked out the window of the bus and they saw something they definitely didn't expect. A crowd of people cheering.

"Don't they know we lost?" Arata says somewhat dejected.

"I don't think they care!" Haru says his face suddenly lighting up.

The players all rallied out the bus and greeted the fans who were celebrating as if the ball had gone right through the uprights.

Lucky Channel Sports Center

The cover drops away to reveal Akira at Ryoo highschool while the team was coming off of the bus.

"We're here at Ryoo highschool, and with how everyone is here you wouldn't be blamed to think that these guys just won." Akira comments looking at all of the celebration.

She walks closer and tries to get the attention of a one of the players and ultimately gets a hand on Susumu.

"Oh, hi there." He says somewhat awkwardly.

"That was a tough loss, what are your thoughts?" She asks.

"Well, we did everything we could, and we got damn close, so I suppose we just have to push past our limits next time in the playoffs!" He says looking into the camera.

"Oh, really, you guys, playoffs." She says suddenly shifting moods.

"Yeah, I mean, of course we'll be in the playoffs." Susumu replies.

"Really? Bah, your dreams skinny Minnie." She says noticing how skeletal he looked close up.

"Hey I'm not-" He starts before being cut off.

"That's all we have for this time folks! Tune in next time!" Akira says prompting the camera to shut off.

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