Congrats to the Royals for another championship. Is Jean Matieau’s 4 Championships the most by a QB in NAAF history? Or does he at least have the most appearances by a QB in the big game at 6?

First of all, congrats to the Royals to adding another championship and sustaining their current dynasty, but I will give London credit as I'm sure their day will come soon. I'm looking forward to the offseason and what the 1960s has in store for this league!

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

1959 NAAF Award Nominations 

MVP

QB Riley Kiernan LDN
Just two years after having a career-worst season, Kiernan has risen back to MVP calibre level. Kiernan was a key piece in getting the Tigers’ offence to be this season’s #1 offence. He led the league this season in passing yards and tied with Jean Matieau for passing touchdowns with 24.  

QB Jean Matieau OTT
Despite not playing in 3 games this season, Matieau was still able to be at the top of the passing touchdown category with Kiernan. He didn’t have the passing yardage that Kiernan had due to the missed games, but as a whole Matieau had an excellent season that warrants another MVP nomination.

RB Dareion Fields LI
This season was about offence for the Raiders, as Dareion Fields took over the ground game all year. In only his second season, Fields led the league with 20 rushing touchdowns and led the way in rushing yards as well. Fields has been a vital part of the Raiders' attack and will likely continue that throughout his career. 

Offensive Player of the Year

QB Riley Kiernan LDN - 24 Passing Touchdowns (T-1st), 1st in Passing Yards

RB Dareion Fields LI - 20 Rushing Touchdowns (1st), 1st in Rushing Yards

RB Scott Mallard-White MTL - 19 Rushing Touchdowns (2nd), 2nd in Rushing Yards
Mallard-White did what he could for Montreal this season, finding himself just behind RB Dareion Fields in both categories this season. 

QB Jean Matieau OTT - 24 Passing Touchdowns (T-1st), 3rd in Passing Yards 

Defensive Player of the Year

DB Alexander Bradley LOU - 7 Interceptions (1st), 2 Defensive Touchdowns (T-1st), led the league in plays defended
Bradley’s first season with the Thunder was very strong. He found himself back at the top of the league in interceptions and was all over the field defending passes all season.

DB Quentin Xavier MTL - 6 Interceptions (2nd), 2 Defensive Touchdown (T-1st), 2nd in plays defended
Xavier had yet another strong season showing that he is the most consistent defender in the NAAF. 

DL William Sanderson IND - 7 Forced Fumbles (1st), 3rd in the league in Sacks, 1 Defensive Touchdown
The Victors were certainly not the most inspiring, but Sanderson shined on the almost winless team leading the league in forced fumbles and getting up there in the sacks. Sanderson is clearly the best player on the Victors and will hope to get the team moving forward in the future.  

Special Teams Player of the Year

K Nathaniel King LDN - 23 Field Goals (3rd), 36 Extra Points, 105 Points (2nd)
King got a boost from the high-flying Tigers offence, but he was pretty much on point this season and was one of the more reliable kickers all season helping the Tigers reach that top-scoring mark.

K Henderson Schumacher LI - 26 Field Goals (1st), 30 Extra Points, 108 Points (1st)
Schumacher has yet another strong season putting up 26 field goals and leading the league in kicking points this season.

K Theodore Provost LOU - 25 Field Goals (2nd), 26 Extra Points, 101 Points (3rd)
Provost has spent most of his career jumping around amateur teams, only spending one year with the Gold Stars in the NAAF. In his first year in Louisville, he put up career highs and was in the top 3 in kicking scores this season.

Rookie of the Year

S Cal Clemmons IND - 1 Interception, 1 Forced Fumble
Clemmons struggled early on in the season, but as he got more comfortable with the team he had a few strong moments that made a mark on the team and was a help in the team's two wins at the end of the season.

WR Piers Key LOU - 3 Receiving Touchdowns, 2 Kick Return Touchdowns
Key was probably the biggest surprise out of the rookies this season taking in two kick return touchdowns, as well as 3 receiving touchdowns outsourcing fellow draftee WR Zachariah Pembrooke.

DB Oliver Langstrom LOU - 4 Interceptions, 1 Defensive Touchdown
The #1 overall pick was what he was expected to be, bringing in 4 interceptions in his first season. He learned a lot from Alexander Bradley, which ultimately led to having a better season than last year’s 4th overall pick DB Jayden Mills. 

Coach of the Year

Roy Aguirre LDN - Record: 10-2
After being fired by the Gold Stars last season, Aguirre returned to his old home with the Tigers and was able to lead the team to their best season in franchise history.

Jimmy Sargent LI - Record: 10-2
Another division title for Sargent and the Raiders puts them on the map as a consistent contender year after year. The defensive side of Sargent’s coaching has clearly been a huge help in keeping the team in the running

Joseph Curry OTT - Record: 10-2
Another fantastic season from Curry and the Royals who were able to go 10-2 despite missing QB Jean Matieau for 3 games this season.  

Breakout Player of the Year

WR Max Sutton LDN - 13 Receiving Touchdowns (T-1st), 3rd in Receiving Yards
Sutton blasted onto the scene this season, putting up 13 touchdowns after only 5 last season. He has easily become Kiernan’s favourite target in London and looks to be the next big wideout in the NAAF.

DB Jackson Miles LDN - 5 Interceptions (T-3rd)
Miles had a really strong year for the Tigers, reeling in a career-high 5 interceptions, and being one of the toughest DB’s to throw at this year. Miles is becoming a staple in the young Tigers’ secondary and should be creating issues for QBs for years to come.

QB Leonidas Dumont LOU - 15 Passing Touchdowns (5th), 1 Rushing Touchdown, 5th in Passing Yards
Dumont showed what he had this season helping the Thunder into the playoffs for the first time. Dumont will have a big season ahead of him, which he will likely have to prove himself as the true difference-maker in Louisville, but he is certainly on his way. 

42nd McCallister Cup Host

Western Fair Stadium - London, ON - Capacity: 34,500 - Last Host: Never
The Tigers have not had a big enough stadium or the money to bring the big game to their home stadium, but with the new Western Fair Stadium, London is in the running to bring the McCallister Cup back to Canada once again.

New Providence Stadium - Capacity: 65,450 - Last Host: 1953
The biggest stadium in the NAAF makes another bid to host the big game. The last time was back in 1953 and Providence, and surrounding fans were able to pack the stadium which makes it a great home for any championship game. 

***VOTE HERE***

Last edited by Wallflower (12/25/2020 1:42 pm)

1959 Award Winners 

Most Valuable Player - QB Riley Kiernan LDN
A comeback story for Kiernan, who threw only 4 touchdowns back in 1957. He tied the league lead with 24 this season and led the London Tigers to a franchise-best 10-2 record. Kiernan has been often overlooked when compared to other QBs like Jean Matieau, Connor O’Rourke, and Angelo Medina, but he has been one of the best players of the last decade and is being recognized for it this season. 

Playoff MVP - QB Riley Kiernan LDN
For the first time, a player that wasn’t on the championship-winning team will take home the playoff MVP. There was just something different about Kiernan’s play throughout all 3 of the Tigers’ games. He was the true difference-maker in each of them and got the Tigers just a player short of the title.  

Offensive Player of the Year - RB Dareion Fields LI
Dareion Fields has taken the league by storm in his first two seasons being the main engine in the Raiders’ offence. His ability to make people miss makes him lethal in the open field, and the blocking that the Raiders can provide opens up all the possibilities for him. Fields looks to be the next Marchal with his ability to blow up the field, he’s only getting started and should become great with more time.  

Defensive Player of the Year - DB Alexander Bradley LOU
Bradley made one of the biggest headlines this offseason in his move to Louisville, but the move seems to have reignited his career this season. He led the league in interceptions and was a big reason why the Thunder were able to sneak into the playoffs this season. 

Special Teams Player of the Year - K Henderson Schumacher LI
Schumacher continues to be a star kicker for the Raiders taking home his second straight award for special teams. His record high 108 points was a big reason that he got the award once again.  

Rookie of the Year  - WR Piers Key LOU
Piers Key was the 6th overall pick and came out with the Rookie of the Year over 1st overall pick DB Oliver Langstrom and 4th overall pick S Cal Clemmons. Key was looked at as the second-best WR coming into the draft, but he was the first to go off the board and Louisville seemed to know something that no one else did, and Key was able to put together a fantastic season and should be a strong player for the future of the Thunder.  

Coach of the Year - Roy Aguirre LDN
Aguirre had a rough season last year, being let go by the Gold Stars after a tough start, but he came back this year with a 10-2 season with the Tigers. His offensive tactics helped the Tigers’ offence rise up to the top of the league and show that they are a true threat in the NAAF.  

Breakout Player of the Year - QB Leonidas Dumont LOU
QBs seem to be the favourite to take home this award with Dumont being the 5th QB to take it home. Dumont had a slow start after being taken 1st overall in 1957. He backed up QB Ollie Rogers in his first year, but after taking over late in that season, Dumont has slowly shown his growth. He has now come through as a true starting QB in the NAAF and takes up the Breakout Player of the Year Award. 


1959 All-Stars
WEST DIVISION ALL-STARS
QB Riley Kiernan LDN - 3
RB Dareion Fields LI - 2
OL Jean Matieu-Baptiste BUF - 3
OL Ulyssess Fairgrove LDN - 2
OL Magnus Gunnersson LDN - 1
OL Elliot Winterbottom LI - 1
OL Bruce Wesley LI - 4
WR Max Sutton LDN - 1
WR Ben Roland LOU - 1
WR Robert Lang LI - 2
TE Christopher Gist LOU - 1

DL William Sanderson IND - 3
DL Vernon Spears LI - 3
DL Olympus Heights LDN - 2
DL Sean Bowen BUF - 10
LB Rusty McVee LI - 4
LB Aengus Lynch LDN - 6
LB Silas O'Brien LOU - 2
DB Alexander Bradley LOU - 5
DB Slay Mitchell LI - 4
DB Jackson Miles LDN - 1
S Frazier Brooks BUF - 4

K Henderson Schumacher LI - 2

EAST DIVISION ALL-STARS
QB Jean Matieau OTT - 5
RB Scott Mallard-White MTL - 2
OL Cliff Strautzenberger WOR - 5
OL Graham Chambers BOS - 1
OL Charlie Bennett OTT - 3
OL Maxence Castex MTL - 2
OL Andrew Furrson BOS - 10
WR Mackenzie Jones OTT - 2
WR Ellis Lindholm BOS - 3
WR Christian Venegas PRO - 3
TE Michael Bowman III PRO - 1

DL Calias McDonough PRO - 4
DL Olaf Viktorsson OTT - 6
DL Robin Hill BOS - 1
DL Zakary Turbide PRO - 5
LB Scotty Williams WOR - 8
LB Brent Harper BOS - 4
LB Konrad Aust BOS - 3
DB Quenton Xavier MTL - 4
DB Mingan Oliver OTT - 2
DB Lee Wolfe PRO - 10
S Jumon Cobb MTL - 1

K Maurice Lafayette OTT - 2

42nd McCallister Cup Host - Western Fair Stadium - London, ON - Capacity: 34,500
It was a pretty divisive vote for the Tigers’ new Western Fair Stadium to be the site of the 42nd McCallister Cup. The 34,500 seat stadium will be one of the smallest to host the game, but some expansion will likely be made to accommodate at least a few thousand more fans.  

This is also a look into a new overall look of the next era of the NAAF. Also, I have been slowly putting together some recapping elements for the first decade of the league.

Captain Mort 3D wrote:

I voted Dareion Fields over Kiernan for MVP just because I thought he had the better overall season and LI finished ahead of London in the standings so I’m a little disappointed with that one. But London did have a great season regardless and I’m glad Roy Aguirre got COY. He really helped the Tigers reach their potential and got them to the big game so I think he really deserved it.

I mean I think QBs tend to ultimately get the advantage in the vote, but I mean London and Long Island certainly were not fair apart at all and London had the best offence in the league, so I'd say that's where the advantage comes for the Kiernan vote. 

Honestly, this year's vote was pretty decisive with most winners winning by at least 2-3 votes if not more. 
I think the only really close one was rookie of the year with Key and Langstrom coming down to one vote.