Great win for the Blue Wings; suck it Tigers. It looks like Ottawa's regaining their dominance with Gainsborough at QB.

Last edited by Kingsfan11 (7/10/2022 6:49 pm)

boston beating providence and marc bellecourt picking up a potw? file that one under t, for things you love to see

1968 Week 7

Roster Moves
LI: DL Abraham Evans Jr. - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
LI: DL Jim Kennedy - Active Roster -> Reserve List
MTL: OL Elliot Barrett - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
MTL: OL Harvey Stephenson - Reserve List -> Active Roster
PIT: WR Luc St. Cyr - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
PIT: WR Randy Wilkins - Free Agent -> Active Roster
PRO: RB Rashed Smith - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
PRO: RB Henri Létourneau - Active Roster -> Waivers

Providence Gold Stars - 33, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 30 - New Providence Stadium - August 2, 1968 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Clear
1st Q
7-0 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Doug Piva
7-7 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
2nd Q
14-7 PRO - RTD RB Rashed Smith
14-10 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
3rd Q
17-10 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
20-10 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
20-17 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
4th Q
20-24 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Orlando Barrack
27-24 PRO - RTD RB Rashed Smith
27-27 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
OT
30-27 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
30-30 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
33-30 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin

The Gold Stars got some reinforcements off of the injured reserve to try and recover from their 2-4 start to the season.
RB Rashed Smith was back in the backfield and helped the Gold Stars' offence throughout the game, especially early on, picking up 33 yards on a touchdown drive.
The Blacksmiths kept up with the Gold Stars on a touchdown of their own, but Rashed Smith would get a touchdown in the 2nd to give the Gold Stars the lead at the half.
Pittsburgh fell further behind early in the 3rd with the Gold Stars picking up 2 field goals.
Tresean Jones would score a TD to pull the game back within 3 near the end of the quarter.
Louis Vaughn, despite throwing a pair of interceptions earlier in the game, would find the endzone for the second time in the game, this time to Orlando Barrack, to give the Blacksmiths the lead.
The Blacksmiths would look to close out the game later in the 4th, but RB Tresean Jones would lose the football to DL Ryan Sargent, who was back in the lineup for the first time in a couple of weeks.
RB Rashed Smith would give the Gold Stars back the lead, however, Pittsburgh was still able to tie the game to force overtime.
In overtime, there would be some strong defensive play, but the Gold Stars’ 2 field goals would be enough to top the Blacksmiths 33-30.

Halifax Mariners - 35, Boston Independents - 24 - Atlantic Stadium - August 3, 1968 - 6 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
2nd Q
7-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
14-7 HFX - RTD RB Ronald O’Sullivan
3rd Q
21-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
21-14 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
21-17 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
4th Q
28-17 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> TE Dylan Chowder
35-17 HFX - RTD RB Ronald O’Sullivan
35-24 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke

Boston was the first to break through the defence to score the first points of the game on a touchdown from Reggie Whitehead.
In the second, the Mariners’ offence would pick it up and score back-to-back touchdowns to take a lead into the half.
In the second half, the Mariners would extend their lead to 21-7, but Boston would be able to bounce back with a pair of scores.
However, Boston’s defence continued to slip in the final quarter with Halifax’s offence scoring a pair of touchdowns to get up 35-17.
Boston would make a push and get one more touchdown before the end of the game, but the team would fall short again and head into their break at 2-5.

London Tigers - 25, Buffalo Blue Wings - 24 - Western Fair Stadium - August 4, 1968 - 2 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
7-0 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Cole Fletcher
10-0 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
10-7 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
2nd Q
13-7 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
13-14 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
3rd Q
16-14 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
16-17 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
4th Q
16-24 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
22-24 LDN - PTD QB Magnus Torrensen -> WR Joshua Lafleur
25-24 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth

The rematch between the Tigers and Blue Wings was once again a tight battle.
The Tigers would jump out to a 10-0 lead, with the defence managing to stall the Blue Wings' offence early.
QB Charles Lemieux would kick start the offence with a touchdown near the end of the opening frame.
In the second, the Blue Wings would take the lead on a 23-yard touchdown run from RB Jimmy Golden.
Following the break, the Tigers would suffer a major blow with QB Riley Kiernan taking a hit, knocking him out of the game, so experienced backup, QB Magnus Torrensen, would replace Kiernan in the 3rd.
The Blue Wings would take advantage of the Tigers’ stumbling offence and get up to an 8-point lead.
Torrensen would eventually get the offence going for the Tigers in the 4th quarter, leading a touchdown drive, however, they were unable to tie the game on the 2-point conversion attempt.
The Blue Wings would look to burn the clock, but the Tigers were able to force the 2 and out and would get the ball back and drive the field to allow Nimrod Handsworth to kick the game-winning kick.

Injury Report
OL Kane Warwick HFX - Day-to-Day
QB Riley Kiernan LDN - Day-to-Day
OL Ben Jammin PIT - Day-to-Day

Players of the Week

OFF: RB Rashed Smith PRO - 2 Rushing Touchdowns, 112 Rushing Yards

DEF: DL Pat Butler HFX - 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Sack, 4 Tackles

Standings
WEST
Toronto 4-2
Pittsburgh 4-3
Indiana 3-3
Louisville 3-3
Buffalo 3-4
London 3-4

EAST
Halifax 6-1
Ottawa 4-2
Providence 3-4
Long Island 2-4
Montreal 2-4
Boston 2-5

Power Rankings
1 - Halifax - 
2 - Toronto +1
3 - Ottawa +1
4 - Pittsburgh -2
5 - Louisville +1
6 - Indiana +1
7 - Buffalo -2
8 - Long Island -
9 - Boston -
10 - Providence +2
11 - London -
12 - Montreal -2

Week 8 Games
LI (2-4) @ OTT (4-2) - AUG 9 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
LOU (3-3) @ TOR (4-2) - AUG 10 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
MTL (2-4) @ IND (3-3) - AUG 11 - 2 PM ET
BYE: BOS, BUF, HFX, LDN, PIT, PRO

BREAKING NEWS - August 7, 1968 - Coaching Change in Boston
The Independents have decided to part ways with Head Coach Levi Bray after just a season and a half of Bray at the helm. The decision comes after the Independents dropped to a disappointing 2-5 on the year. Many fans as well as Owner Benjamin Harris had hoped the team would be a playoff contender this season, but it has not worked out.

Bray’s time in Boston was short-lived, being the second shortest tenure in the team’s history, only having more time served than his predecessor Jonathan Fox. Bray coached the Independents over 19 games going 7-12 over that time. Boston had hoped that Bray’s offensive mind would certainly help the team use its strengths to win with QB Nathaniel Braddock under centre. Overall, the plan may have worked offensively with the team boasting the 2nd highest-scoring offence this season. However, Bray’s lack of attention to the defence seems to shine through with the team allowing the 2nd most points on the season as of week 6 (the most after week 7, but several teams have played 1 less game). Many may fault DC Hugo Martinez for the defensive failings, but the team is sticking with the veteran coach for now.

Bray does become just the 3rd coach in NAAF history to be fired mid-season, joining Roy Aguire and Harry Meadows who were both let go by the Gold Stars mid-season in 1958 and 1965 respectfully.

To replace Bray, the Independents decided to reach back into their history and hired former Independents Head Coach, Dean Reed. Reed coached the Independents following Hall of Fame Coach Peter McDuffin’s retirement in 1953, all the way up until 1959. He appeared in 1 McCallister Cup in 1954, before leading the Independents through their tough rebuild in the mid-50s. Reed would go on to be the Head Coach of the Montreal Rouge from 1960-1963, taking them to the McCallister Cup in 1962. Reed would spend the next few years coaching at Maine State University before he retired at the end of last season. Reed was convinced to come back to coach the Independents by Owner Benjamin Harris, as the two have shared a good relationship for many years. 

On the field, Harris hopes that hiring Reed will bring some stability to the rocky defence and hope that a familiar face can get the Independents back on track and maybe make a push for the postseason this year. 

Another reason many are pointing to as a reason for Bray’s departure is a rocky relationship with star QB Nathaniel Braddock. The two had been seen arguing on the sidelines during games over the last two years, and many fans and reporters have kept an eye on it ever since. Rumours swirled that the two just did not like each other, but Braddock was asked about his relationship with Bray following the firing and seemed to paint a different picture.

Braddock: “We butted heads for sure, but it was because we were both competitive and wanted to win. Sometimes we did not see eye-to-eye on some decisions, but I have respect for him regardless and hope he finds success in the future.”

Reporter: “What are your thoughts on Dean Reed as the hire?”

Braddock: “Coach Reed is the first coach I ever had in the NAAF, so there’s some familiarity there. He’s a good coach and I don’t doubt he can handle the situation.”

1968 Week 9

Roster Moves
BUF: DB Dean Hawkins - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
BUF: DB Santino Arriola - Active Roster -> Reserve List
OTT: OL Matt Helmut - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
OTT: OL Daren Olsen - Active Roster -> Waivers
OTT: DL Jordan-Eugene White - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
OTT: DL Buddy Hibbert - Active Roster -> Reserve List
PRO: WR Owen Paisley - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
PRO: WR Johnny Starwood - Active Roster -> Waivers

Boston Independents - 31, Toronto Steelheads - 13 - Richardson Stadium - August 15, 1968 - 7 PM ET - TNF - Weather: Clear
1st Q
7-0 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
7-7 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
2nd Q
7-10 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
14-10 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
21-10 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Alexei Dubois
3rd Q
21-13 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
24-13 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
4th Q
31-13 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead

The coaching change in Boston seemed to make an immediate impact, as Braddock would lead the offence to 3 first-half touchdowns, while the defence was able to stifle RB Max Tracy and take a 21-10 lead into the half.
The Steelheads would struggle to move the ball throughout the game as Boston’s adjusted defensive scheme was not what the team had prepared for.
The second half would be a lot more defensive, but the Independents remained in control to get just their 3rd win of the season.

Montreal Rouge - 21, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 35 - Mount Royal Stadium - August 16, 1968 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Russell Wilcox
7-3 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
7-6 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
2nd Q
7-13 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
7-14 PIT - Single K Al Highlander
14-14 MTL - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
3rd Q
14-21 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
21-21 MTL - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
4th Q
21-28 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
21-35 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin

Montreal was holding onto what looked to be their last hope of a playoff push, and they would get off to a strong start with a touchdown in the first quarter.
Pittsburgh would score the next 4 sets of points to take a 7-point lead, but Montreal would tie the game up just before the break.
The game would remain back and forth in the 3rd quarter, with both teams scoring a touchdown.
In the final quarter, the Blacksmiths ran away with the game with a pair of passing touchdowns from Louis Vaughn.

Louisville Thunder - 24, Ottawa Royals - 31 - Thunder Stadium - August 17, 1968 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
2nd Q
7-7 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
7-14 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
14-14 LOU - RTD RB George Seahorse
3rd Q
21-14 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
21-21 OTT - PTD QB Tyrion Gainsborough -> WR Piers Key
4th Q
24-21 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
24-24 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
24-31 OTT - PTD QB Tyrion Gainsborough -> WR Marshall Leonard

Ottawa was the first to score in Louisville with a Corbyn Knight touchdown in the 1st quarter.
In the second the Thunder would rally back with a pair of TDs to Lloyd Lane and George Seahorse, but Corbyn Knight’s second of the game would keep it tied.
The Thunder came out of the second half and continued to take a lead before the Royals would bounce back to tie it again.
However, the last score would go the Royals' way when DB Sergio Alvarez would intercept a Buck Murphy pass to then set up a strong play from WR Marshall Leonard to earn Ottawa’s 6th win of the season, which is the most the team has had since going 7-5 in 1962. 

Buffalo Blue Wings - 37, Providence Gold Stars - 12 - Milton Charles Stadium - August 17, 1968 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
10-0 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
17-0 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
2nd Q
17-7 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> RB Rashed Smith
24-7 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Sebastian Dassler
3rd Q
27-7 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
34-7 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
34-8 PRO - Single K Elvis Franklin
4th Q
34-11 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
37-11 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
37-12 PRO - Single K Elvis Franklin

Buffalo’s last four games had been easily the worst stretch of games the team has had over the last few seasons, but they came home to try and change their fate this season taking it to the Gold Stars.
QB Charles Lemieux would lead the offence to 3 touchdown drives in the first half, making Providence’s usually strong defence look amateur. 
Providence was completely outmatched in the first half, however, they did bounce back in the second half to slow down the Blue Wings’ attack, however, their offence only managed 5 points in the second half.

Long Island Raiders - 35, Indiana Victors - 33 - Long Island Stadium - August 18, 1968 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
0-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> TE Eric Peterson
7-7 LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Larry Mossholder
2nd Q
7-10 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
10-10 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
17-10 LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Larry Mossholder
17-17 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
3rd Q
20-17 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
27-17 LI - DTD INT DB Lauri Hayha
28-17 LI - Single K Henderson Schumacher
28-20 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4th Q
35-20 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
35-27 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
35-33 IND - PTD QB Lee Rogers -> WR Ed Edwards
 
The Victors appeared to be taken aback by the suddenly aggressive passing attack from the Raiders.
Long Island, who was looking to end their 4-game skid, would allow Ivan Sanchez to use his arm in the first half to grab a pair of passing TDs.
The Victors would maintain pace with the Raiders with a pair of TD passes from Applewhite to keep the game tied at halftime.
The 3rd quarter became a miserable one for the Victors as they would lose their star QB on an awkward collision with DL Pionk Bjorkkstrand. 
QB Lee Rogers would replace him only to be picked off on his first throw by DB Lauri Hayha, allowing the Raiders to go up 28-20 by the end of the quarter.
They would continue to add to their lead with a forced fumble from LB William Washington II, leading to a Dareion Fields touchdown.
Rogers and the Victors would manage to come back after falling behind by 15, however, they were unable to make the 2-point convert to tie the game.

Halifax Mariners - 18, London Tigers - 20 - Atlantic Stadium - August 18, 1968 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
0-7 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
2nd Q
0-14 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> TE Tranquille Rousseau
3-14 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
3rd Q
3-17 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
6-17 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
12-17 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Edward Webb
4th Q
18-17 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Dwayne Alexander
18-20 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth

Right from the start, the Mariners looked a little rusty coming off of their bye week as KR/RB Adam Zingaro would drop the opening kickoff, allowing the Tigers to take a quick 0-7 lead.
Another touchdown would be added later after a botched punt would give Kiernan and the Tigers strong field position.
The Mariners would escape the first half with a field goal but were in a deep hole.
The 3rd quarter didn’t get much better as RB Ronald O’Sullivan would be knocked out of the game before RB Adam Zingaro would fumble for the second time in relief of O’Sullivan.
The Mariners would finally start moving the ball on offence, electing to use the passing game without O’Sullivan in the game, however, they would also lose top, WR Jav Kerrigan, as well.
Painter worked with what he had and manage to score a pair of touchdowns to take the lead late, however, they missed their 2-point conversion attempt both times allowing the Tigers to have one last shot at taking the lead.
Kiernan got the team in position and Nimrod Handsworth, who does not seem to miss clutch kicks, would drill home the game-winner to give the Tigers their second straight win.

Injury Report
S Ernie Osborne BOS - 3 Weeks
DB Ezra Power BUF - Day-to-Day
RB Ronald O’Sullivan HFX - 1 Week
WR Jav Kerrigan HFX - 3 Weeks
QB Tom Applewhite IND - 2 Weeks
S Tom Parrish IND - 3 Weeks
DL Ilya Mikaelov IND - 2 weeks
WR Joshua Lafleur LDN - Day-to-Day
DB Jayden Mills LOU - Day-to-Day
WR Owen Paisley PRO - Day-to-Day

Players of the Week

OFF: QB Nathaniel Braddock BOS - 3 Passing Touchdowns, 312 Passing Yards

DEF: DL William Sanderson BUF - 2 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 4 Tackles

Standings
WEST
Toronto 5-3
Pittsburgh 5-3
Buffalo 4-4
Indiana 4-4
London 4-4
Louisville 3-5

EAST
Ottawa 6-2
Halifax 6-2
Long Island 3-5
Boston 3-5
Providence 3-5
Montreal 2-6

Power Rankings
1 - Ottawa +2
2 - Halifax -1
3 - Toronto -1
4 - Pittsburgh -
5 - Buffalo +2
6 - Indiana -1
7 - London +2
8 - Boston +2
9 - Louisville -3
10 - Long Island +1
11 - Providence -3
12 - Montreal -

Week 10 Games
LOU (3-5) @ PIT (5-3) - AUG 22 - 7 PM ET - Thursday Night Football
MTL (2-6) @ OTT (6-2) - AUG 23 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
*OTT clinches playoff spot with Win + BOS Loss
BOS (3-5) @ LDN (4-4) - AUG 24 - 3 PM ET
LI (3-5) @ BUF (4-4) - AUG 24 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
TOR (5-3) @ PRO (3-5) - AUG 25 - 1 PM ET
HFX (6-2) @ IND (4-4) - AUG 25 - 4 PM ET
*HFX clinches playoff spot with Win + LI Loss