LEAGUE ANNOUNCEMENT
Ryan Jameson announced this week that the NAAF will be adding an 8th club come next season. The Worcester Club that was formerly a part of the NEFC will be rejoining its former foes in the NAAF. Details are yet to be determined for expansion draft possibilities but a change to the season format will occur with teams playing 10 games over the same 10 weeks instead of 8. Bye weeks will be gone for the season. The league will be split into two divisions as well with Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Buffalo making up one division and Boston, Providence, Hartford, and Worcester making up the other, with the top two from each division making the playoffs. Worcester owner Richard Paul has also stated that the team is still determining an updated brand and is not sure yet if they will go with the former "Athletics" name or change the mascot. 

1950 Week 8 

Ottawa Royals - 23, Buffalo Blue Wings - 25
The Blue Wings win their third straight in an upset over Ottawa. It is safe to say that QB Medina has adjusted to the game as they have now won their last three games en route to going from dead last to playoff contender. Medina was able to get the ball into the endzone twice to WR Joseph Barry and former Royals WR Kenneth Mullen. RB Arthur Conner was also a factor getting into the endzone and keeping a couple of drives alive. The Defense played well early on but unfortunately lost their top player in DB Oscar Patterson who made an awkward move after Royals’ WR Allen Atkins and will be out for their big game in Montreal next week. DL Jonathan Brown had a good week getting to QB Duane Logan twice and forced a fumble. 
Ottawa, on the other hand, has once again played to their opponent this season, whether they have been competitive with teams like Providence or Montreal, or falling back to Toronto or Buffalo they have not had consistency. Overall the Royals did not play bad continuing their more balanced offensive attack. RB Ray Middleton scored again but the star was still WR Allen Atkins with a big 38-yard TD and a huge score right near the end of the game to pull the team within two. On that final touchdown, the Royals had gone for two but fell just short after Patterson’s replacement DB Ryan Landry knocked the ball away. 

Providence Gold Stars - 24, Montreal Rouge - 23
The Gold Stars pulled off a huge win at home to keep them right in the thick of the playoff race. WR Eugene Burns was the star of the show for the Gold Stars catching two TDs including the game-winning touchdown in the final minute of the game. QB Bruce Woodard with the help of RB Gene Fischer moved the ball up the field well and was able to win the game on the final drive. Montreal’s Marchal still was his usual self-scoring two touchdowns on the ground and leading his team to several more field goals. Marchal remains the regular-season MVP favourite again. The concern for Montreal is what offense they have outside of Marchal and how that will affect them down the stretch again as they look to avoid falling apart for the second season in a row. Both defenses were playing well in a very evenly matched game. Montreal did lose their star DL Napoléon Chevalier for the next week and it allowed Gene Fischer to have a little more leeway to run the ball for Providence.  

Boston Independents - 27, Hartford Hawks - 9
The Independents take advantage of the Royals and Rouge's losses and take back first place in the league with another win. RB Joel Bonner scored two of Boston’s touchdowns with WR Ethan Walters scoring the other. Boston was up quickly in this one even giving some backups a chance into the fourth quarter. 
Hartford struggled again with RB Ellis Love being the only source of offense (aside from all-star K Thomas McFadden). QB Oliver Callahan has struggled all year and Ellis Sears had another opportunity to play in the fourth but got nowhere. It is likely the team will look to add at the quarterback position with Oliver Callahan's final season of his contract with the Hawks put into question. There are also rumours about Head Coach Jerry Moore being fired at season’s end.  
*Hartford is officially eliminated from playoffs*

Standings
Boston 4-1-1
Montreal 4-2
Providence 3-2-1
Ottawa 3-3-1
Buffalo 3-3
Toronto 2-3-1
Hartford 1-6 - e

Power Rankings
Boston +1
Montreal -1
Providence +1
Buffalo +1
Ottawa -2
Toronto -1
Hartford -

Players of the Week

OFF: WR Eugene Burns PRO - 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 78 Receiving Yards

DEF: DL Jonathan Brown BUF - 1 Forced Fumble, 2 Sacks, 4 Tackles 

Week 9 Games
BUF (3-3) @ MTL (4-2) *MTL clinches playoff with win or tie
BOS (4-1-1) @ TOR (2-3-1) *BOS clinches playoff with win or tie, or BUF loss or tie *BOS clinches 1st in the league with win and MTL Loss
PRO (3-2-1) @ HAR (1-6) *PRO clinches playoff with win and BUF loss

1950 Week 10

Montreal Rouge - 24, Toronto Tigers - 12
The Rouge got the home crowd hyped for their first-round playoff game with a win over the Tigers to clinch a game at Mt. Royal Stadium next week. RB Élisée Marchal capped off another great season with another 3 scores including a 57-yard run on his third TD. The defense played well and made the day tough for the Tigers offense. The Rouge played relatively conservative overall to try and claim the win and not risk too much injury.
Toronto’s great start, unfortunately, comes to a rough end with four straight losses but the 1950 season was a bigger success than it had expected to be and the Tigers will want to improve on it next year. RB Laurent Brazeau was able to scrape into the endzone and give Toronto a chance but the Rouge defense was too much in the end. 
*Montreal clinches home-field in semi-finals

Buffalo Blue Wings - 24, Providence Gold Stars - 17
Drama in Buffalo as they stun the Gold Stars and win 4th of 5 games. The game’s first quarter was all defense ending 0-0. The Gold Stars were the first to strike with a field goal. The Blue Wings countered it quickly with a WR Kenneth Mullen touchdown and their own field goal. Providence was able to add a field goal just before the half to make it 10-6. The second half started with Providence moving the ball but Woodard turned the ball over on an interception which DB Oscar Patterson grabbed from WR Eugene Burns. The Blue Wings would capitalize but not without a cost. From the 8-yard line, QB Angelo Medina took the ball and would run to the endzone, he would make it in for the score but came up limping after his leg was twisted in a tackle. Medina was forced to leave the game throwing backup QB Andrew Glover into play. Down 17-6 Providence started to climb back into the game with a huge drive ending in a touchdown on the legs of Gene Fischer, they would also add a 2-pointer to make it a 3-point-game. On their next drive, they would tie it up with a field goal. The Blue Wings during this time were playing conservative without Medina but had to turn it back on as the Gold Stars came back. They would march the field and get into range but K Jason Middleton would hit the bar and give the ball back to Providence. The Gold Stars would not be able to capitalize as just 3 plays later, DB Oscar Patterson took the ball back for Buffalo in Gold Star territory. Glover would lead the team down to the endzone before letting RB Arthur Conner take in his second TD for the win.  

Boston Independents - 28, Ottawa Royals - 31
An offensive shootout ends in the Royals keeping their season alive. One of the greatest offensive games so far in the NAAF started with a WR Ethan Walters TD for Boston, followed by a WR Willard Brooks counter for Ottawa. In the second Boston retook the lead with RB Joel Bonner’s first of the game, but the lead didn’t last long as RB Ray Middleton would tie it back up heading into the second half. Ottawa would get the ball to start and would march the field and get it to WR Allen Atkins for the score to go up 21-14. The Independents would get it back with another Bonner touchdown. Boston would then follow up with another touchdown to Samuel Floyd to give them the lead again. Ottawa would not skip a beat heading into the fourth and would once again tie the game on Atkins’ second of the game. With less than 2 minutes to go neither team wanted a tie so they were both aggressive. Boston started heading down the field but would cough up the ball after Royals DL Timothy Wiley would strip-sack him. The Royals wouldn’t have to go far to get into the range where K Clint Hudson would hit the game-winner to clinch the Royals another playoff spot. 
*Ottawa clinches playoff spot *Montreal clinches first place

Standings
Montreal 6-2 - y
Boston 5-2-1 - x
Ottawa 4-3-1 - x
Providence 4-3-1 - x
Buffalo 4-4
Toronto 2-5-1
Hartford 1-7

Power Rankings
Montreal +1
Boston -1
Ottawa +2
Buffalo -
Providence -2
Toronto -
​Hartford -

Player of the Week

OFF: QB Duane Logan OTT - 3 Touchdowns, 253 Passing Yards

DEF: DB Oscar Patterson BUF - 2 Interceptions, 6 Tackles, 3 Knockdowns

Playoff Preview
#1 Montreal Rouge (6-2) VS. #4 Providence Gold Stars (4-3-1)
Providence won the only match-up this season 24-23 in Providence.
Montreal comes into the game off back-to-back wins to finish first for the first time.
Providence had a solid second half (2-1-1) aside from their week 10 loss to Buffalo.
Montreal will have a healthy QB in Maurice Norris as well as a red hot RB in Élisée Marchal who is more determined than ever. Expect Montreal to try and get the loud crowd into the game and run the ball a lot.
Providence will have to shake off the loss to Buffalo and remember they won against the Rouge this season and can do it again. They will look to spread the ball on offense and do their best to lock down Marchal on defense. 

#2 Boston Independents (5-2-1) VS. #3 Ottawa Royals (4-3-1)
Ottawa narrowly won the only matchup just this past week in the same stadium 31-28.
Boston has been good as expected but they have struggled against all three playoff teams with an overall record of 1-2-1 against them. However, you can’t count out the defending champs as they are still great. Expect them to go with a similar plan on offense but will try to tighten up the defense and shut down the league’s best offense. 
The Royals have been all over the place this season but they snuck in. They will have to replicate the difficult task of winning in Boston if they want a shot at the McCallister. They will likely keep their plan similar with some adjustments to counter Boston with their offense as they know their defense isn’t too strong.  

Last edited by Wallflower (3/12/2020 7:44 pm)

1950 Semi-Finals

Montreal Rouge - 23, Providence Gold Stars - 10 - Mount Royal Stadium, September 23rd, 1950
1st Q: MTL 6 - 0 PRO
The Rouge started the game with strong defensive play keeping the Gold Stars locked down. While they were able to move the ball with RB Élisée Marchal and even a couple times in the air to pick up two field goals.
2nd Q: MTL 16 - 0 PRO
The Gold Stars continued to struggle with their offense in the second. Woodard would throw an interception halfway through which the Rouge would turn into an Élisée Marchal touchdown. Frustration started to get to the Gold Stars who were unable to move the ball for the rest of the half falling behind 16-0.
3rd Q: MTL 23 - 3 PRO
Providence opened the second half with a strong drive but as the momentum started to turn in their favour, star RB Gene Fischer was tackled awkwardly breaking a rib and was not able to return to the game. Backup RB Ruben Armstrong was then forced into the game. On Armstrong’s first drive and second run, LB Quinton Brewer would punch the ball out and take the ball back for Montreal. The Rouge would use the short field and send Élisée Marchal into the endzone to score again and go up 23-0. The Gold Stars woke up after that as QB Bruce Woodard started to get into a groove and would get his team on the board. 
4th Q: MTL 23 - 10 PRO
The Gold Stars were able to keep Élisée Marchal from breaking out any big plays in the fourth, but the Rouge still ran as much of the clock out as they could. Providence didn’t have a lot of time to work with, but they did the best with what they got. Bruce Woodard would lead Providence on a fast and aggressive touchdown drive to try and pull them back into the game. Unfortunately, the WR Peter Brooks touchdown was far too late and the Rouge would run out the clock bringing the McCallister Cup Championship to Mount Royal Stadium next week. 

Boston Independents - 30, Ottawa Royals - 26 - OT - Richardson Stadium, September 24th, 1950
1st Q: BOS 10-0 OTT
After the two teams had lit up the endzones a week ago, there wasn’t much surprise when the defenses were a bit stronger to counter the offensive attack of either team. It was Boston who broke through early with a 45-yard TD pass to WR Samuel Floyd. The huge play had the crowd on their feet and into the game, but it quickly turned to concern when Boston’s other big receiver Ethan Walters was slow to get off the field getting injured in the play behind. The Independents kept pushing and got another field goal, but with Walters out of the game, Boston had fewer weapons which makes life easier for the weaker Ottawa defense.
2nd Q: BOS 13-10 OTT
In the second quarter, Ottawa’s offense found a bit of footing and was able to drive down the field. QB Duane Logan showed his accuracy, finding ways around the difficult Boston secondary. The drive would be capped off with a WR Willard Brooks touchdown to bring the score back to within 3. Boston would get a field goal a couple drives later to extend their lead, and then the Royals would sneak in a late field goal just before the half.
3rd Q: BOS 20-16 OTT
The momentum the Royals gained in the second didn’t fizzle to start the third. Logan would lead the team down for a field goal to tie the game. The next few drives would end in a punt for both teams, but after a long Boston drive was stalled, they pinned the Royals deep. The Royals would pick up a first down, but when attempting to get the ball to Willard Brooks, Logan would underthrow the route and complete the pass to a Boston defender in DB Clinton Benton. The Independents would capitalize and get RB Joel Bonner into the endzone to retake the lead. 
4th Q: BOS 23-23 OTT
Ottawa started the 4th with a field goal in the first 4 minutes but were still down four. Logan recovered from his interception but the Boston defense were able to slow them down. With around 6 minutes to go Larry Larson would attempt a pass to former Rouge WR Gaston Deniau, which deflected out of his hands and into Royals’ LB Mickaël Beaumont’s hands. The turnover gave Ottawa a great field position and they took advantage. WR Allen Atkins caught the go-ahead touchdown in the back of the endzone after Duane Logan escaped some heavy pressure from Boston. Now down by 3, the Boston Independents came out firing. Joel Bonner powered his way downfield and WR Samuel Floyd would use his speed to get past the Ottawa defenders and into open space. The combo with Larson delivering the ball would set up the 38-yard game-tying field goal off of the foot of K Arthur Wall. Neither team could score resulting in the third game this season ending with a tied score. 

Overtime Rules:
 - With this occasion, the overtime rules were pulled out
 - There would be a fifth, 15-minute quarter
 - Much like extra time in soccer, the team with the highest score after the 15 minutes is the winner, (Not-sudden death).
 - A coin toss would also occur to decide possession. 

OT: BOS 30-26 OTT
Ottawa would win the coin toss and start with the ball. The first drive went nowhere, and the same was the case for the Independents. The Royals were the first to score with 7 minutes left in overtime, on a K Clint Hudson field goal. Once again Boston was down by 3 with limited time. While their first attempt was a 2 and out, they were able to gain some ground as Ottawa’s offense went conservative not wanting to turn the ball over. The Royals defense was able to hold Boston for a bit but eventually, Larry Larson was able to find Samuel Floyd open over the middle which turned into a 33-yard catch after a huge run. This would put Boston in the redzone. After a first down, Larson would give the ball to Joel Bonner who would power it in from 8 yards out to give Boston the lead and the win.  

Players of the Week

OFF: RB Joel Bonner BOS - 2 Touchdowns, 109 Rushing Yards

DEF: LB Quinton Brewer MTL - 1 Forced Fumble, 10 Tackles 

1950 McCallister Cup (32nd) Preview
#1 Montreal Rouge (6-2) VS. #2 Boston Independents (5-2-1) - Mount Royal Stadium, October 1st, 1950
The first McCallister Cup to be played outside of the United States
Montreal will also be the first team outside of the NEFC to play in the game and have a chance at the trophy
The Rouge won the only matchup this past season in a 17-10 Win in Boston
The only game the teams have played at Mount Royal Stadium ended 13-10 for Montreal
The expected championship from 1949 arrives a year late and will likely be a bloodbath. Each game the teams have played has been close and they have been gritty. Montreal is expected to keep the defensive pressure up which worked in week 4 against the Independents. While Boston will focus on Marchal and shutting down Montreal’s biggest weapon. 

Will Montreal overcome their disappointing 1949 with a championship? Or will the Independents maintain their hold on the McCallister Cup?

1950 (32nd) McCallister Cup

Montreal Rouge - 10, Boston Independents - 16 - Mount Royal Stadium - October 1st, 1950
1st Q: MTL 0-0 BOS
The opening quarter of the McCallister Cup had both teams struggling to gain any sort of ground. Both defenses found their way to lock down the other team. Boston’s D-line led by Jon Lewis stopped RB Élisée Marchal for the quarter only allowing 13-yards on the ground. The Independents offense started to come alive as the quarter was coming to a close, entering Montreal territory on the final play.
2nd Q: MTL 7-6 BOS
K Arthur Wall would hit a 41-yard field goal to open up the second quarter and give Boston the lead. Following the score, however, they weren’t able to get back into scoring range on the next few drives. The Rouge offense kept feeding the ball to Élisée Marchal in hopes he would break free. Eventually, with 5 minutes to go in the half, Marchal found a hole and shot off like a cannon. He took the ball 65 yards into the endzone for the touchdown and the lead. Boston would counter with a big drive which was opened up by a big play of their own. QB Larry Larson turned to hand the ball off to RB Joel Bonner but the ball slipped out of his hand. Larson quickly scooped the ball and turned to throw it away. However, before he threw he noticed former Rouge WR Gaston Deniau left wide open and lobbed the ball to him. Deniau would scramble for 25 yards and put Boston in field goal range. Wall would hit the field goal heading into the half. 
3rd Q: MTL 10-6 BOS
As much as the second was filled with a bit more offense, the third reverted to the first. While Boston was doing a great job stopping Marchal he was too good a RB to be kept at bay for a long time. Marchal would break for a few first downs and set up the Rouge for a field goal to extend their lead going into the fourth.
4th Q: MTL 10-16 BOS
Following the strong plays from Marchal, Boston’s D-line stood stronger and managed to shut him down early on. Head Coach Peter McDuffin made a couple of adjustments to trick Élisée Marchal into running to the wrong place. On the first drive with the adjustment, they forced a 2 and out and then the second DL Jon Lewis lined up differently and Marchal ran right into him losing 3 yards. QB Maurice Norris had to throw and it ended poorly as DB Francis Veillette would pick off the pass setting Boston up perfectly. The Rouge defense would hold strong and keep Boston out of the endzone and force a field goal. Boston had other plans though and they would fake the field goal attempt. Backup QB Jordan Boyle would pick up the hold and throw it to WR Samuel Floyd for the go-ahead touchdown. The fans in Mount Royal Stadium were silent for the first time all game. The Rouge would not recover and Boston would lock them down holding on to the win and their 18th McCallister Cup and 2nd NAAF title. 

Championship MVP:

DL Jon Lewis BOS - 8 Tackles, 2 Tackles for Loss
Defense was the winner in this game and it was lead by Lewis in this game without his leadership and the ability to stop Élisée Marchal, Independents wouldn’t have stood a chance.

Championship Banner:
Changed to McCallister Cup Champions from NAAF Champions


McCallister Cup:

1950 Season Recap:

Last edited by Wallflower (3/15/2020 4:14 pm)

A few changes are happening this offseason.
Awards will be coming tomorrow or Tuesday and then after that, I will be working on a few things:
1. Expansion team from Worcester (Brand and designs as well as figuring out how their team will come together)
2. Possible updates (rumour has it Toronto and Boston may be making tweaks) 
3. 10-game schedule for next season

Look out for those over the next week or two