1960 Division Semi-Finals

Montreal Rouge VS. Ottawa Royals - Mount Royal Stadium - September 17, 1960 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - 21ºC | 70ºF 
1st Q
The intense crowd in Montreal set the tone early in the Rouge’s return to the playoffs. While Montreal was unable to score on their opening drive, communication issues forced the Royals to go 2 and out on their opening possession. While the Royals were struggling to get the offence moving, QB Stanislav Ovechkin was able to get the Rouge into field goal range to take an early 3-0 lead. With the crowd becoming an issue, Ottawa would adjust and had Matieau take full control of the offensive play calling. He would counter the Montreal field goal with a strong drive, connecting on several simple plays. Eventually, Matieau would rollout and toss the ball to WR Mackenzie Jones in the endzone. Jones would reach out and bring in the pass with DB Quentin Xavier right on him. Ottawa would take the lead and tame the crowd just a bit.
MTL 3-7 OTT 

2nd Q
The momentum seemed to completely shift following the touchdown drive from the Royals. The offence was not getting anywhere for the Rouge, and Ottawa’s offence kept moving the ball. Midway through the frame, RB Alexei Volkov would break free for an 11-yard touchdown run to put Ottawa up 3-14. Montreal would finally catch a break in the final minutes of the half with Stanislav Ovechkin finding WR Derek Cross for a 38-yard play which would set up RB Scott Mallard-White to pull back within 4.
MTL 10-14 OTT 

3rd Q
The Royals came out of the break with the lead, and they wanted to keep it that way. The strategy in doing so was turning up the defensive pressure. DC Matthew Carson would let DL Olaf Viktorsson loose into the backfield. He would manage to get to Stanislav Ovechkin 2 times during the quarter and would force a fumble on the QB as well. Montreal was only able to pick up 1 first down in the 3rd. While Montreal struggled, Ottawa was able to roll down the field again. Matieau would connect with WR Truman Harry underneath the Montreal zone defence and would scamper into the endzone to give Ottawa an 11-point lead heading into the final quarter of play.
MTL 10-21 OTT 

4th Q
Montreal continued to struggle in the final quarter, but with a heavier focus on the run, they were starting to make up some ground. RB Scott Mallard-White was able to get the Rouge into field goal range, but it was at the cost of the clock. K Arthur Kettinger would get a field goal to make it a one-score game. The Royals would also focus on the run game and the clock, and they were able to get back into field goal range to make it an 11-point game again. Montreal would need to get going with 4 minutes to go in the game. Ovechkin was able to find WR Ray Lopez open to get the Rouge into Ottawa territory, however, the next play he looked for WR Derek Cross deep and underthrew him. DB Mingan Oliver would jump all over the pass and would bring in the interception. Montreal’s hopes were squashed at that point as Ottawa controlled the game the rest of the way to seal yet another playoff win. 

London Tigers VS. Worcester Athletics - Western Fair Stadium - September 17, 1960 - 7 PM ET - Weather: Clear - 22ºC | 72ºF 
1st Q
There were many nervous fans in the London crowd as QB Christian Stewart made his first start since getting injured in the 1958 season opener. However, the Tigers were able to ease the anxiety with a strong drive out of the gate. RB Clifford Russell and his partner RB Don Gregson were expected to get the bulk of the touches in the game, and that was the case on the first drive. They would march down the field on a fairly conservative drive, which Worcester was having trouble stopping. RB Clifford Russell would finally open up the scoring on a 12-yard run into the endzone to make it 7-0 Tigers. QB Gene Bishop and the Athletics were not having the same success going 2 and out on their first 2 drives. They would not be able to get a foothold in the quarter while the Tigers would add on to their lead with a K Nimrod Handsworth field goal. 
LDN 10-0 WOR

2nd Q
The Athletics were able to finally get their motor started in the second. Bishop would lead the team into Tigers’ territory for the first time on their first drive. They would even get down to the 36-yard line where Bishop would then take a shot to the endzone. WR Zachariah Pembroke would be one-on-one with DB Ricardo Salvador. Pembroke would get a step on Salvador, with the DB coming up limping on the play. Pembroke had a huge opportunity, but he misjudged the ball and it hit his hands and fell to the ground. Bishop was visibly frustrated after throwing a great pass. They would settle for a field goal on the drive. On the ensuing Tigers’ drive, the Athletics’ defence would step up to help their offence. QB Christian Stewart would look to throw the ball over the top to WR Benedict Spencer, but he was pressured by DL Vinny Brown. Stewart would rush the throw and it would be picked off by LB Harrison Bennett. Worcester would take over in London territory and RB Lawrence Sharp would punch it in to pull the Athletics to within one. Unfortunately, K Elvis Franklin would miss the convert.
LDN 10-9 WOR 

3rd Q
The Tigers’ offence struggled in the 2nd quarter after the solid start in the first, so they made some adjustments and went a little more aggressive. The new strategy would catch the Athletics off guard as WR Max Sutton would spring loose on a post route. He would fly past rookie DB Joe Robinson and would catch Christian Stewart’s pass over the top. He was wide open with only S Shawn Jensen to beat. He would make a great move to get past Jensen and would roll into the endzone just 20 yards later. Worcester was backpedalling after that with their next drive ending in a tough play. QB Gene Bishop tried to get the ball to WR Trig Jegman, but veteran DB Louie White would anticipate the pass and punch it up into the air. DB Jackson Miles was all over the ball and brought in the pick. The Tigers would then take it down to the 2-yard line before RB Don Gregson punched it in.
LDN 24-9 WOR 

4th Q
Worcester would have a strong drive to start the final quarter of play. Bishop was able to get the team into field goal range, but they were still a ways from the endzone. However, being down by 15, Bishop felt like they had to go for it. However, HC Dean Parrish decided to kick the field goal instead, making it a 12-point game. Bishop was not happy with the decision and showed his frustration on the sideline. London would get the ball back and once again would find themselves moving the ball down the field. From the 25, QB Christian Stewart would hit WR Max Sutton on a crossing route at the 14. Sutton would use his speed to get past everyone and take it in for his second touchdown of the game. Worcester was now down by 19 with only 6 minutes left. At this point, Bishop would become a little more selfish with the ball, being frustrated by the constant mistakes from his WRs. He would run the ball himself 5 times on their retaliation drive. He would eventually punch it in himself with no celebration to follow. They would miss the 2-point on a WR Trig Jegman dropped pass on the next play which pretty much killed any hope they had. QB Christian Stewart and the Tigers walked away with the win and were ready to head to Long Island next week. 

Players of the Week 

OFF: WR Max Sutton LDN - 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 133 Receiving Yards 

DEF: DL Olaf Viktorsson OTT - 1 Forced Fumble, 2 Sacks, 7 Tackles 

1960 Division Finals Preview 
Boston Independents VS. Ottawa Royals - Richardson Stadium - September 24, 1960 - 3 PM ET - Forecast: Cloudy
Head-to-Head: W1 OTT 27-20 BOS, W9 BOS 24-16 OTT
The Independents and Royals will meet in the playoffs for the 5th time in the East Division Final. Boston enters the game as favourites after probably their best season since QB Larry Larson was playing. The big factor is the healthy roster from Boston who will have WR Ellis Lindholm in the playoffs after he missed the past two postseasons with injuries. However, Ottawa is a tough beast to tackle. They proved once again that they are still as good as ever against the Rouge and will fight until the final whistle in Boston. I still believe that Boston will come in with a bit more experience and finally put a stop to the Royals.
My Pick: Independents 

Long Island Raiders VS. London Tigers - Long Island Stadium - September 24, 1960 - 7 PM ET - Forecast: Cloudy
Head-to-Head: W4 LI 10-15 LDN, W12 LDN 17-23 LI
For the 3rd straight season, it will be the Tigers visiting the Raiders for the West Division Final, but this season will be different with both teams starting their backup QBs. QB Christian Stewart was strong in the Tigers' win over the Athletics, but the Raiders' defence is a much tougher beast to handle. QB Brian Meadows on the Long Island side will be making his first playoff start which could come with some bumps, but with RB Johnnie Stafford having a career year, there could be loads of support. I still like the Tigers to win, but the game is almost guaranteed to be close.
My Pick: Tigers 

I’m taking Ottawa just because of their insane playoff track record and then the Raiders over the Tigers.

Lets go Tigers!

42nd McCallister Cup 

London Tigers VS. Ottawa Royals - Western Fair Stadium - October 2, 1960 - 6 PM ET - Forecast: Clear - Windy - 14ºC | 57ºF
1st Q
As the McCallister Cup approached, there were many critics pointing out how QB Riley Kiernan might struggle in the big one considering he has missed the previous two games due to injury. However, Kiernan and the Tigers would shut them up real quick. On the team’s opening drive, Kiernan meticulously picked apart the Royals defence. They executed play after play marching down the field effortlessly. Kiernan would then find WR Benedict Spencer for a touchdown and the 7-0 lead. The Royals would not be so good on their opening drive, as their first play was blown up by DL Olympus Heights breaking through the line to stop RB Alexei Volkov for a 4-yard loss. The Tigers would get the ball back after the 2 and out and would continue to add to their lead. Kiernan would connect with WR Max Sutton on a 43-yard bomb to the house to make it 14-0. The Royals would not go the entire quarter without a score as QB Jean Matieau would lead his own offence down to the endzone. He would connect with WR Mackenzie Jones to cut the Tigers’ lead in half.
LDN 14-7 OTT 

2nd Q
The Tigers would keep the ball moving in the second quarter with an early field goal drive. The Royals would continue to struggle on offence with the Tigers’ D-line turning up the pressure. It would remain 17-7 till the final minutes of the quarter. Kiernan would lead the Tigers on another big drive, taking them down to the 5 before RB Clifford Russell took it in to make it 24-7. With limited time the Royals looked to be potentially running down the clock to get to the half, but on second and 6, they pulled a bit of trickery. RB Alexei Volkov would take the handoff, before flipping it to WR Mackenzie Jones. With Jones going to the right side, he would turn back and toss it back to Matieau who would find WR Chester Bennett downfield. It was a very similar play to the one the Royals used to win the 1956 McCallister Cup on the last play in overtime against Riley Kiernan’s Athletics. The big play would set up WR Truman Harry for the touchdown cutting the lead to 10 before the break.
LDN 24-14 OTT 

3rd Q
Both teams came out of the break knowing this game was far from over. It seemed like the Royals were especially keen on the potential comeback. The Royals typically let RB Iyannough Moreland return kicks, but they threw RB Alexei Volkov on the field. The Tigers were not ready for Volkov and the veteran back weaved his way through the entire team and took the ball back to the endzone to make it a 3-point game not even a minute into the quarter. The Tigers would take the field looking to rebound but the Royals would bring the pressure. DL Olaf Viktorsson would grab a sack and force the Tigers to punt. A couple of drives later the Tigers would be moving the ball, but the Royals would come up with a huge play. QB Riley Kiernan would be faced with pressure from DL Troy Hunt, and he would look to get it off quickly, however, as the ball left Kiernan’s hands, Olaf Viktorsson would get his arms up to deflect the ball. DB Mingan Oliver saw the ball and cut right towards it and picked it off. The Royals would take over, but their next drive would come with a major loss. Matieau would fire a quick crossing pass to WR Mackenzie Jones on the second play of the drive, but as he was coming across LB Wilson Rockwood-Barnes would hit him before the ball was there. The helmet of Rockwood-Barnes would with Jones’ head leaving the receiver lying on the ground motionless. Jones would get taken off by doctors after regaining consciousness, and Barnes would get flagged, though he was very apologetic and making sure Jones was okay. The Royals would take advantage of the penalty and would get into the endzone with WR Chester Bennett to suddenly take the lead 24-28 following 21 unanswered points. The Tigers would not go away, as they would bounce back on the ensuing drive. Kiernan would lead the Tigers back down the other way, finding WR Max Sutton for a big gain and then letting RB Clifford Russell score his second of the game to retake the lead before the final quarter.
LDN 31-28 OTT 

4th Q
The final quarter would be intense, as the Tigers looked to their defence to try and bring this game home. They would force the Royals 2 and out early, but the big moment came on the next drive with DL Olympus Heights getting around and was about to sack Matieau. The QB still had an open man so he got the ball away, except DL Dee Floyd also got in his face and the ball fluttered into the arms of LB Aengus Lynch. The Tigers would not score, but following another stop, and almost another pick from DB Jackson Miles, the offence would get back to the endzone with Kiernan connecting with WR Max Sutton for the second time in the game to make it 38-28. The Royals would not be done however and would start their second comeback attempt of the game. RB Alexei Volkov, despite having the kick return touchdown was not having his way with the Tigers’ defence, but he finally broke free for a 36-yard scramble to put the Royals in range for a K Maurice Lafayette field goal. The Royals still had enough time to get the ball back and would once again be pushing to get back to the endzone. WR Toni Radovanovic, who replaced Mackenzie Jones, would make a big play to set up the Royals on the 7-yard line for 1st and Goal. Matieau would look to WR Truman Harry in the endzone on the first play, but the ball would be dropped by the WR with DB Ricardo Salvador on him. On second down, Matieau would scramble in the pocket but didn’t like what he saw so threw a tough pass toward WR Chester Bennett, which was too high and went out the back of the endzone. They faced 3rd and Goal with just over a minute to go. Jean Matieau would look to do whatever he could on the play. Dropping back and then rolling out to escape pressure. Once again the Tigers’ secondary had all the WRs locked down. With defenders closing in on Matieau, he would have to throw it. The ball would manage to get to the hands of Chester Bennett, but DB Jackson Miles would be able to force it out causing the Royals to turn it over. However, Kiernan and the Tigers would need to get a first down to secure the game. And on first down, RB Clifford Russell would pick up 4, making it second and 6. On second down, Russell would pick up another 3 to make it 3rd and 3. Time would be only 10 seconds left by the time the clock ran so the Tigers took the delay of game penalty to set up 3rd and 7 with 10 seconds on the clock. They lined up to punt, but instead of K Nimrod Handsworth behind the snap for the punt, the Tigers had WR Max Sutton. The Royals were not expecting that and were confused. Sutton would take the snap and he would just go to literally run the clock out. The WR would run around eventually back towards the endzone. As soon as he heard the crowd count down to 0, he fell in the endzone sacrificing the safety but ending the game 38-33 and clinching the Tigers their first-ever championship in franchise history.  

Injury Report
LB Benjamin Pittman LDN - Day-to-Day
WR Mackenzie Jones OTT - 5 Weeks
LB Douglas MacDougall OTT - Day-to-Day
OL Bravon Covington OTT - Day-to-Day 

McCallister Cup MVP

WR Max Sutton LDN - 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 152 Receiving Yards

1960 McCallister Cup Champions



1960 Season Recap

Last edited by Wallflower (2/04/2021 12:49 am)

Congrats to the Tigers. After all these years of loosing and pain they deserve this championship.