Those pesky lil tigers! Here's hoping for some epic rematch revenge!

Friggin' Buffalo. I already dislike those guys. Dang.

We need a neutral site for the championship game soon.

I like the new look for Pittsburgh, the keystone on the sleeves is unique.

Sorry it's been so long! I've got the 1952 season standings to show!
1952 NFA Standings: 
Pittsburgh Ironmen: 8-0
Buffalo Tigers: 6-1-1
New York Cannons: 5-2-1
Chicago Zephyrs: 4-2-2
Boston Gaels: 4-4
Washington Pirates: 2-5-1
Philadelphia Hornets: 2-5-1
Detroit Bombers: 1-7 

The MVP award went to QB Wayne Pearson of the Buffalo Tigers
The MOR award went to CB Jonathan Walker of the New York Cannons
The MOC award went to Coach Bob Urchin of the Pittsburgh Ironmen 

Outside of the standings, a big rumor also started circling. The Tigers might be on their way out of Buffalo. Story goes that even though they’re one of the best teams in the world right now, they had the second worst attendance in the league. Only better than the winless Bombers. Owner John King has owned the team since it’s inception into the NFA, and owned it for 5 years prior. Now that the Tigers have reached their best seasons since its NEFL days, he’s been reportedly trying to capitalize on it by moving to a larger market where he would ultimately bring in more revenue. Nothing has been officially said however.
Pittsburgh finally breaks through, completing the second undefeated season in NFA season. Joining Boston in going 8-0. They also beat Buffalo in Buffalo for the first time in franchise history. Speaking of Buffalo, they had another successful season and clinches their second Champions Bowl appearance. New York has another winning season where they couldn't make the Champions Bowl. Chicago moved up by a win. Boston and Washington finished mediocrely again. The Hornets dropped off due to some key injuries and QB Kenny Durham dropping off. Finally, Detroit improved by a win, coming against Boston in week 1. 

C&C appreciated! How'd your team do?

The 7th Champions Bowl was a rematch of the previous one, this time in Pittsburgh however. Many NFA fans would say this is the biggest rivalry in the NFA at the moment, as many Ironmen fans say they were robbed in the previous years’ match up,  when the weather played a big factor in the outcome of that game. This year however, it was slightly breezy, but a much warmer and particularly less snowy, 50 degree weather. Pittsburgh looked to be the first team to go 9-0 in a season, and avenge their loss last year. Buffalo, looked to get a second championship under their belt and prove that they’re good enough to win without the weather maybe helping them.
The game kicked off at 2 pm, in front of a loud 34,560 people. Buffalo received and brought the ball back to the 22. Pearson would be leading his league leading offense. Full of potent receivers and a prime back. They made their way up the field. Pearson showing off his impressive arm, throwing immaculate passes that seem to weave their way into the defenders arms. On 3rd and 8, Pittsburgh looked to force them into a tough decision. Sat at the 40, they seem to close to punt but almost too far to try a field goal. Handing it off to Black, he was clogged immediately, only getting 4 yards on the run. They would try it again on 4th down. lined up and they tried to pound it with Black but once again he was stopped up and the Ironmen now had the ball, as they made their way down the field they looked a little shaky, some dropped passes and simple mistakes were slowing this drive down. They kept it up however and found the back of the endzone with 5 minutes left on the clock. Kingston lobbed on to WR Coleman who had gotten himself wide open. The Tigers wouldn’t get to respond however as they got sacked on 3rd and 3, forcing the first punt of the game. As the quarter came to an end, Pittsburgh also got stopped up, rookie LE Gary Xavier keeping RB Henry Harold a yard short of the first down.
Buffalo’s next drive didn’t take long. 2 incompletions and then a short 12 yard reception by WR Jacob Crosby that he took the rest of the way, putting 6 on the board for Buffalo. Pittsburgh would then start the longest drive of the game. Consisting of 3 third downs and 12 rushes by Henry, they set up shop deep in Buffalo redzone. With 7 minutes on the clock they were looking to finally end it with another run by Harold. They snapped it and he sprinted into the dog pile on the line. Thinking he got in, the crowd cheered. But as the people started leaving the pile, Tigers started celebrating, a hush fell over the crowd. And as the last 2 people were uncovered, the ball was in Buffalo defender and reigning Champions Bowl MVP Mark Justices’ arms. He got up and ran over to the Buffalo sideline cheering, it was ruled a fumble recovery by the Tigers. Harold argued he was already in the endzone and down when they yanked it out of his hands. The refs talked it over for what felt like years. After a good couple silent minutes passed it was ruled a touchdown. Coach Woods of Buffalo was pissed. He threw his hat down and yelled at the refs. He didn’t get more than a minute in to his outburst before he was flagged and eventually forced to shut up. He would later say; “How can you call that a touchdown? All anyone saw was the ball in Mark’s arms. It’s  completely egregious!”
Both teams would exchange punts before the clock would run to zero and they’d head to halftime.
Coming out for the second half, Pittsburgh received the kick. Picking up where they left off, they made their way down the field. Kingston would almost throw an interception about 4 plays in that would’ve been a pick six. However, to Buffalo’s dismay, the ball was ruled on the ground when the defender clearly had both hands underneath of it. Buffalo would stop them short and force them to kick for 3 on 4th and Goal. Buffalo would take another quick drive to score. On 3rd and 1 they looked to Black to get them the first down. Taking the snap, he got the first down untouched, he kept going, a hole opened up and he found it. Before he was finally tackled he had already gotten to the 50. The next play Pearson lofted one deep, looking for Crosby again, he reeled it in and beat his defender, taking it to the house, putting the Tigers within 10. The Ironmen would get stopped quick, giving Buffalo the ball back and for the 3rd time today, they, within 6 plays, found the endzone. This time a hole opened up again and Black shed 2 tacklers to take it 78 yards for 7. Now only down a field goal they wanted to take the lead. They stopped up Kingston and the rest of the Ironmen again and found themselves with a full 4th quarter to take the lead.
The 4th quarter was dramatic. Leading 24-21 Pittsburgh was looking for a stop, as they haven’t really been able to contain Black or Pearson all day. Sitting at their 39, Pittsburgh was getting desperate for a stop or turnover. Pearson was just too good. On 2nd down he faked right and threw a bullet to the corner and found Patchinson, a former Ironmen, he was tackled but he held on, giving Buffalo their first lead of the game. Kingston now had 8 minutes to get his team back on top and win his 3rd championship, He took Pittsburgh down to midfield before tragedy struck. WR Coleman, who gave up a crucial safety last game, made a catch in the middle of the field. He took it up about 5 yards and got hit, hit hard, popping the ball loose and into the arms of Tigers S Sam Gibbs. Buffalo now in the driver’s seat, pressed hard onto the gas, looking to make this a 2 score game. They got 2 plays down the field before the turned it over themselves. After getting forced out of his pocket, Pearson made a running throw, it was behind his receiver, perfectly into the hands of the defender. Pittsburgh had the ball back and almost 4 less minutes. Kingston, who was getting up their in age, ran this 4 minute drill like he was back in Boston. Looking as attentive as ever, he dodged two sack attempts and ran for the 1st on a play, then found WR Josh Everett for a first, then faked a hand off and shot a bullet across the field to Coleman who got 15. The Ironmen were rolling. As the clock ticked down, they made their way down to the endzone. Looking at 1 minute left on the clock, down only by 3, they looked to score, they didn’t want to tie, they wanted to go home. Kingston handed it off to Henry who got them the first, and set them up within 8 yards of the TD. 35 seconds on the clock, Kingston took the snap, handed it off again to Henry, the play was blown up. No gain. Pittsburgh called their last timeout. “This is the last play of the game boys, this is it, we’re winning it right here.” Kingston would later say he told his team before the took the field. Kingston took the snap and stepped back, looking for his receivers, he was ambushed by Justice, who’d already sacked him twice this game. He ran to the right, still looking. He had nothing, he tucked the ball under his arm and ran for it. Needing 8 yards he was at the mercy of the Buffalo defenders. He dove, arms stretched out and into the endzone. He had made it, the crowd roared. With 15 seconds on the clock Kingston had scrambled for the game winning score. Buffalo would try 2 hail mary’s but they had no luck. Kingston and the Ironmen were victorious for the second time in 3 years. Kingston was named Champions Bowl MVP. Ironmen win over the Tigers; 31-28.



C&C Appreciated! Any predictions for the offseason?