Gridiron Japan

As the X-League teams play every two weeks, the guys are back after the season openers and subsequent games to review the power rankings of the 12 teams that make up the X-League Super, Japan's premier football league. The guys also discuss the planned return of the Ivy League in January 2024 for a rematch with Japan's gridiron all-stars.

John Gunning, BJ Beatty, and Greg James return for the third season of the Gridiron Japan podcast to preview the upcoming 2023 season of the X-League Super. The three discuss the probable and likely results, as well as the possible upsets, along with talk about the new and returning players from America.

Joining BJ, John and Greg in this episode is Dentsu Caterpillar QB, Aaron Ellis. The guys spend time reviewing the scores of the final games of the Spring X-League season and look ahead at the upcoming fall season and schedule. They also talk about the international gridiron game in Europe and Mexico, and Aaron's experience in both Japan and in the European leagues. Unfortunately, no predictions were made by Aaron as to how many fantasy points he is likely to owe BJ at the end of the '23 X-League season ;-).

The guys return this week, and after about an hour of candid blue conversation, in the second hour they hit the record button and talk about the latest scores and news going on in the world of spring Japanese gridiron. Amongst their topics are the unexpected loss by Fujitsu, import quarterbacks, and why NAIA quarterbacks from Illinois, like Aaron Ellis, should never be discounted.

In what is this podcast's first interview with an active head coach, John and Greg sit down with new X3 Hiroshima Hawks head coach A.J. Koikoi to talk about his playing and coaching career in the Chugoku (Okayama & Hiroshima) region of Japan and his work developing local talent. We also talk about his college playing days, his career with the UN, and his commitment and work towards social justice. Lastly, we manage to sneak in some Baltimore football talk, as A.J. is a proud Baltimore Ravens fan and student of Baltimore gridiron history.

The spring exhibition season has begun for both the X-League and collegiate teams, and the three provide the scores of all the games played. The guys also talk about many of the off season moves of the X-League. In addition, the guys discuss how to watch the upcoming fall X-League and major college season via a revamped joint streaming service.

On the day the Japanese high school baseball tournament has begun and the focus of the nation is on Koshien Stadium, as well as Team Samurai Japan in the World Baseball Classic, the guys look at the upcoming spring gridiron season and the upcoming changes for the X-League moving into 2023, including the move of one franchise to the western side of Honshu. As the spring season kicks off here in Japan, make sure to check out www.gridironjapan.net to stay abreast of all the scores and how to watch the games (many of which which will be available either on X-League TV or on YouTube). In addition to the game here at home, John, B.J. & Greg also take a look across to the Pacific where the Canadian Football League has been most welcoming of the great talent being found on the gridirons of Japan.

In this episode John, BJ and Greg sit down with X2 Blue Thunder player Antoine Sinclair to talk about his life and journey to Japan. From Georgia to Japan, and from the rugby pitch to the gridiron, Antoine has had an interesting and varied journey! The four also discuss the recent CFL combine in Tokyo where John was present. 

The guys in this episode sit down on a cold Thursday night to talk about the upcoming championship game of the Japan Private Football Federation, the "Ocean Bowl.". After which the guys talk about the upcoming Super Bowl, make their predictions, and share the best memories of past games that cemented them forever as fans. Also, they share the news about the signing by the Calgary Stampeders of friend of the show, Toshiki Sato.

Greg sits down with B.J. to review Team Japan's loss to the Ivy League All-Stars and his experiences during the game. They also discuss the current changes happening with the Obic Seagulls, as the X-League looks forward to the new 2023 season.