The group winners advance to a four-team tournament. Obic won its group with 78-0 and 40-3 wins to advance to the semifinal, where the Seagulls earned some vengeance by beating the Fujitsu Frontiers.

Howard is currently playing for the Obic Seagulls of the Japanese X-League. Last year, Howard let the Seagulls to a 28-2 victory in the Pear Bowl - also known as the X-League's championship.