DoctaC wrote:

The 1952 Expansions Council is now closed.

Finals Votes:
Chicago - 15
Indianapolis - 11
Houston - 4
Charlotte - 1

Congratulations to the cities of Chicago, IL and Indianapolis, IN on winning bids for the next two NAFA cities!

Awesome. Looking forward to the identities

1952 NAFA Off Season

On July 18, 1952, Commissioner Tom Evans held a press conference at the NAFA Building in Manhattan where the identities of the two new NAFA franchises were revealed:

Chicago Cougars


Indianapolis Chiefs


Evans also announced that the NAFA would go under a new alignment that split the teams into East and West divisions:

East: Baltimore Knights, Montreal Saints, New York Football Club, Philadelphia Americans

West: Chicago Cougars, Cleveland Lumberjacks, Indianapolis Chiefs, Toronto Nationals

The winner of each division will play in the Continental Bowl. During the regular season, each team plays each team in their division twice, and each team in the other division once.

Thanks for viewing. C&C is appreciated.

Last edited by DoctaC (5/26/2019 8:28 pm)

RightGuard wrote:

Is there a logo for the league?

I like the idea of the Chiefs. Any particular reason why you chose that name? To me, you could take a crew chief angle from the 500 down the road. How long does New York plan on keeping the "Football Club" moniker?

Thanks to everyone who commented on the Indianapolis and Chicago identities.

1952 NAFA Season

Regular Season Standings
East
1. New York Football Club: 7-3-0
2. Baltimore Knights: 6-2-2
3. Philadelphia Americans: 5-4-1
4. Montreal Saints: 1-8-1

West
1. Toronto Nationals: 9-1-0
2. Chicago Cougars: 7-2-1
3. Cleveland Lumberjacks: 3-6-1
4. Indianapolis Chiefs: 2-8-0

New York barely squeaked by with the East Division title over the Baltimore Knights after a big win over them in week 9, 24-12. Lester Riley had another solid year for NYFC, but his production seems to be beginning to slow down. Baltimore's Tommie Wagner had another great year behind center, leading the NAFA in passing yards and the East Division in passing TDs. The third team with a winning record, the Philadelphia Americans, had a team centered around their defense, which was one of the best in the NAFA. However, while they're defense was great, their offense was lack-luster, finishing 7th in total yards. Montreal finished in last, and didn't have much going for them at all. Their only win was in week 2 over the Indianapolis Chiefs at home.

The Toronto Nationals were dominant this season. Their young, 24-year old halfback Wayne Hill burst on the scene as the next great NAFA star, leading the league in rushing yards and rushing TDs (the first to do so since Lester Riley in the league's inaugural season). Their passing attack was also pretty good, and couldn't be taken lightly. Quarterback Phillip Conner led the NAFA in completion % at 74%, and threw a league low 5 interceptions. Coming in second and third in the West Division were the two expansion teams, Chicago and Indianapolis respectively. Chicago was led by a ground-based attack, similar to NYFC's, which was centered around fullback Kristopher Knight. Indianapolis on the other hand was much more pass heavy, leading the league in passes attempted per game. Coming in last once again was Cleveland, who seems to be the worst team in the league every season.

Continental Bowl V

It was a snowy day in downtown Toronto for the fifth Continental Bowl. The game was set to be a run-off as due to the heavy snow it would difficult for teams to pass or kick field goals. Fans were unable to see past the opposite 25 yard line if they sat behind the end zone. Before the game Commissioner Evans thanked all the NAFA fans for their support over the past five seasons, and said he is excited for the future of the league. Despite being the home team and having the better regular season record, the Nationals were the underdogs. NYFC had been here before and knew how to win.

To open up the first quarter, Toronto received the ball. They unsurprisingly used Wayne Hill to quickly move down the field, and were knocking on NYFC's door with 9:12 left in the quarter. After being stuffed at the goal line on first and second down, Wayne Hill took an off-tackle hand off into the end zone on 3rd and goal, giving Toronto the lead 6-0. The Nats didn't attempt the extra point, instead opting to go for two. Hill took a pitch to the left side but was stopped at the 3, keeping the score at 6-0. On their first possession, NYFC tried to do the same thing as Toronto, but were not successful. They were forced to punt just 2:34 into their first drive. Toronto then punted back to NYFC, then NYFC back to Toronto, and the 1st quarter ended with Toronto sitting at their own 31.

End of 1st Quarter: TOR 6, NYFC 0

The snow seemed to be having a huge effect on the game, as both teams continued punting back and forth. It wasn't until there were just 4:14 left in the half when one of the teams, Toronto, put together some sort of a productive drive. They were able to move the ball into NYFC's red zone, and seemed to be on their way to be taking a 12 point lead. However, on 2nd and 11 from the 14, quarterback Phillip Conner dropped back for just the 3rd time of the game. The entire left side of Toronto's line collapsed, and Conner was intermediately under pressure. He attempted to escape, but to no avail, and was hit hard and stripped of the ball, giving NYFC possession with 3:01 in the first half. NYFC quickly moved the ball down the field after two long runs by Lester Riley, and punched the ball into the end zone with 0:34 left in the half. They also chose to go for two, but unlike Toronto were successful. Riley took the hand off straight up the middle giving NYFC the lead.

Halftime: NYFC 8, TOR 6

The third quarter was much more entertaining than the first half. NYFC converted 5 third downs on their first drive, and extended their lead to 16-6 after Lester Riley took a dive 23 yards to the end zone, untouched (they converted the 2-point conversion once again). The teams exchanged a few punts before Toronto regained possession with 5:15 remaining in the third at their own 38 yard line. Wayne Hill had consecutive carries of 19 and 26 yards, and capped off the drive quickly with a 8 yard scamper into the end zone with 1:58 left. They added on two more when Phillip Conner threw a short pass to the flat to Hill who broke a tackled as he fell into the end zone. 

End of 3rd Quarter: NYFC 16, TOR 14

The turnover bug struck NYFC as 7 plays into their first drive of the quarter Brendan Boone was hit while throwing his second pass of the game. It was the n intercepted by defensive tackle Mack Hopkins at the TOR 33. The Nationals then hopped back on the Wayne Hill train and rode him back into the end zone after he took a pitch left 14 yards to score. However, they failed on the two-point conversion, leaving the lead at less than one possession, and giving NYFC an opportunity to retake the lead late in the game. NYFC moved the ball well on what was the most important drive of the game, advancing into Toronto territory with 2:23 to go. The reached the 7-yard line after a 20 yard Lester Riley run with :54. They were then held from scoring on first, second, and third and goal, setting up fourth a goal from the 5 with the Continental Bowl on the line. NYFC had no timeouts left, and just :19 sat on the clock. Brendan Boone took the snap and extended his arm to hand the ball to Riley to the left side. However, at the last second, Boone snatched back the ball and took off to the right side. The entirety of Toronto's defense was fooled, except for linebacker Walter Byrd, who met Boone at the 3, and took him to the ground. Toronto's offense came out, Conner took a knee, and the Nationals claimed their second Continental Bowl.



This was the first year the NAFA gave out Continental Bowl MVP. The award was given to Wayne Hill, who dominated the ground game with 36 carries for 202 yards and 3 TDs.

Thanks for viewing, C&C is appreciated.

Last edited by DoctaC (5/27/2019 7:26 pm)