1969 NAAF Award Nominations

MVP

QB Charles Lemieux - Buffalo Blue Wings
Lemieux continues to be the driving force of one of the best offences in the league. Buffalo had the most points for this season with 349, only 14 points off the record. Lemieux continues to control the game for the Blue Wings, always finding ways to win games late or beat opponents early. He also was 3rd in both passing touchdowns and yards, while having some of the lowest turnover rates in the league. 

WR Ed Edwards - Indiana Victors
Edwards showed that he was slowing down in the last few seasons, however, his hands remain the best in the business. He was one of the best in the league in 1-on-1 situations, only dropping 2 passes that he was able to get his hands on. While QB Tom Applewhite is a great player himself, it is clear that Edwards was a big reason the Victors found themselves winning games throughout the season, as he was an offensive player of the week on 2 occasions.

QB Louis Vaughn - Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
Pittsburgh broke through this season with an electrifying offence, which was led by QB Louis Vaughn. After starting the season 1-3, Pittsburgh would manage to outscore the rest of the league over the remaining 8 games, which included the Buffalo Blue Wings. Vaughn did have some more mistakes with interceptions, but leading the league in both passing touchdowns and yards certainly made up for it.

Offensive Player of the Year

RB Reggie Whitehead - Boston Independents
STATS: 15 Rushing Touchdowns (T-2nd), 1st in Rushing Yards
Whitehead finally looked comfortable in the Boston offence, rolling over defenders with his power run style. He got a career-high in touchdowns, while also leading the way in rushing yards. 

WR Ed Edwards - Indiana Victors
STATS: 14 Receiving Touchdowns (1st), 2nd in Receiving Yards
Edwards was one of the best WRs in the league this season, leading the way in scoring plays and being one of the best when it came to 50-50 and 1-on-1 situations this season. 

RB Hugo Hughes - Minnesota Serpents
STATS: 16 Rushing Touchdowns (1st), 4th in Rushing Yards
Hughes’ move away from Montreal might have worked as he led the way in touchdowns this season and was a steady force behind the line, which helped with the balance on offence. 

QB Louis Vaughn - Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
STATS: 24 Passing Touchdowns (1st), 1st in Passing Yards
Vaughn takes the cake in terms of QB stats this season. His arm is a big reason the Blacksmiths had such an explosive offence this season. 

Defensive Player of the Year

LB Byron Turner - Boston Independents
STATS: 4 Forced Fumbles (T-4th), 1 Interception, 1st in Tackles
Turner broke out as the lead LB for the Independents racking up tackles all season long while Boston’s defence finally seemed to figure it out. The former 2nd overall pick is starting to look like a top-tier LB in the league.

DB Neville Falkner - Indiana Victors
STATS: 8 Interceptions (T-1st), 1 Defensive Touchdown
Falkner continued to show why he is the best at what he does. While DB Ezra Power of Buffalo and DB Sergio Alvarez of Ottawa both were right behind Falkner, the veteran’s ability to lockdown corners was still next to none. On top of that Falkner was named defensive player of the week twice this season.

DL Bernhard Hartmann - Ottawa Royals
STATS: 5 Forced Fumbles (T-1st), 1st in Knockdowns at the line, 3rd in Sacks
Last year’s DPOY was once again a nuisance to many QBs across the league with many sacks, but also continuously knocking the ball down at the line. Hartmann also often was able to get his paws on the football and knock it free with 5 forced fumbles.

Rookie of the Year

DL Dallas Breaker - Long Island Raiders
STATS: 3 Forced Fumbles, 1st in Rookie Sacks
The 2nd overall pick didn’t see too much of the spotlight with the Raiders struggling this season, but he was a consistently strong piece on the line getting to the QB a lot and knocking the ball loose on 3 occasions.

QB Drake Young - Ottawa Royals
STATS: 19 Passing Touchdowns (4th), 6th in Passing Yards
Young was taken 3rd overall in 1968 but was never elevated from the reserve List last season, so this was his rookie season. In his first year under center, Young looked like he’d been in the league for years. Sure, he made some mistakes, but he took over the Royals and was almost as efficient as Charles Lemieux.

WR Justin Palmer - Providence Gold Stars
STATS: 4 Receiving Touchdowns, 1st in Rookie Receiving Yards
After trading back in the draft, the Gold Stars still got the guy they liked in WR Justin Palmer who was a key part of the offence this season. Several times Palmer would get much more yardage than expected by making many defenders miss this season. Palmer looks to be a serious threat for the future of the Gold Stars.

Coach of the Year

HC Kenneth Channey - Boston Independents
RECORD: 8-4 - 1st East
Coach Channey seems to have finally figured out the difficult solution to the Boston Independents, as he brought the team back to the playoffs after a treacherous 3 seasons. His defensive mind and noble attitude allowed the team to buy in and rally to recover from the 1-4 start to then win 7 straight and make the postseason. 

HC Maurice Evanson - Buffalo Blue Wings
RECORD: 10-2 - 1st West
Buffalo got off to their best start in franchise history, going 9-0. Evanson has continued to keep Buffalo at the top despite losing several important players and coaches, most notably, this season, fellow COTY candidate, Soni Dionne. While the hiring of Levi Bray helped, the Blue Wings were only 14 points off from the record despite having the change at Offensive Coordinator.

HC Soni Dionne - Minnesota Serpents
RECORD: 8-4 - 4th West
Dionne had many skeptics heading into the year, after his stint in Montreal back in the late 50s did not go well. However, Dionne showed just how much he has improved as a coach taking the expansion Serpents to an 8-4 record and the most wins by a team in their first season in the NAAF. Dionne’s offensive mind has been a perfect fit for the team as they immediately were able to contend with the best of the best.

Breakout Player of the Year

RB Reggie Whitehead - Boston Independents
STATS: 15 Rushing Touchdowns (T-2nd), 1st in Rushing Yards
Up until this season, Whitehead had never really broken through as a true #1 back, but he became a lethal force this season, leading the league in rushing yards. Whitehead’s power run style was a huge strength for the rejuvenated Boston offence which allowed him to have such a strong breakout year.

RB Hugo Hughes - Minnesota Serpents
STATS: 16 Rushing Touchdowns (1st), 4th in Rushing Yards
Hughes never got the right opportunities with the Rouge over his first several seasons, but after moving on to Minnesota, Hughes showed that he was a legitimate #1 back, putting up the most rushing touchdowns this season.

DB Zed McLaughlin - Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
STATS: 5 Interceptions
Pittsburgh had a lot of strong players break loose this season on offence, but quietly DB Zed McLaughlin showed that he could be a #1 corner in this league, racking up 5 interceptions this season. 

NEW VOTING FORMAT
I have decided to try something new this year by doing ranked choice for voting. In the form, under each selection, you will be able to select your first and second choices for that award (and 3rd for OPOY). I have it set up so that you must select different nominees for each choice. It should be straightforward, but let me know if there are any questions. 

***VOTE HERE***

RaysUp wrote:

This is probably a redundant ask, but have you thought of a way to post a league leaders board through the season?

It's not redundant. I don't want anyone to feel like they can't ask questions, this goes for everyone you always can ask, no worries at all. 

The only thing I am keeping relatively close to my chest is how the league will grow and the overall story so I won't likely answer questions on those matters, but anything else, especially about what is currently happening or has happened, feel free.

As for leader boards, I am actually likely going to be making some changes to stuff in the near future, so I can certainly think of ways to incorporate this into the posts if this is something you want to see in the future. One idea so far is to post at like different parts of the season so roughly every quarter of a season or so, or even at the halfway point, just have a post with the leader boards. I'm not sure I would want to do it too much with an already-loaded weekly post as it is, but again I can certainly consider it for the future.

Overall, keep thinking of things you want to see, I will be asking for some feedback once the '69 season is over. 
 

boston's a fraud, mickey mouse title, ottawa was robbed

QCS wrote:

boston's a fraud, mickey mouse title, ottawa was robbed

 
We're faltering upward baby!

1969 Division Semi-Finals

EAST DIVISION SEMI-FINAL

Ottawa Royals VS. Minnesota Serpents - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - September 20, 1969 - 6 PM ET - Weather: Clear - 15ºC | 60ºF
1st Q
The Royals elected to kick the ball away to start and would get the result they wanted by quickly forcing the Serpents to a 2 and out. Once the offence got the ball, the Royals would move down the field and almost get into the endzone, but DB Ross Conroy was able to deflect the pass intended for WR Marshall Leonard. Ottawa would walk away with a field goal to open the scoring. Minnesota’s second drive would be more successful as they would tie the game up with a field goal of their own. Ottawa got back onto the field and once again the offence rolled down the field, with QB Drake Young leading the way. This time, Young would connect with WR Marshall Leonard to score the first touchdown of the game. Ottawa would go up 10-3 and maintain the lead into the 2nd.
OTT 10-3 MIN

2nd Q
The Royals maintained their momentum in the 2nd quarter, with the defence continuing to give QB Martin Keller a hard time. Offensively, the Royals would once again work their way into scoring range, before QB Drake Young would dump a screen pass off to RB Corbyn Knight. Knight would get a couple of blocks and would break some tackles on his way to the endzone to give the Royals a 17-3 lead. Minnesota would answer back very quickly on the ensuing kickoff, as RB Tyler Kuhn would weave his way through the entire Royals’ cover team to get into the endzone and cut the lead right back down to 7. Ottawa would end up using most of the remaining time in the half to get down and add a late field goal to make it 20-10.
OTT 20-10 MIN

3rd Q
In the second half, the Serpents would hope to get back into the game, however, they would need to stop the Royals, who would get the ball to start the half. The Royals would pick up a couple of 1st downs, but eventually, the Serpents would stall them out at midfield, forcing them to punt. Now with the ball, the Serpents would make some plays to get into field goal range and pick up 3 points to make it a 1-score game once again. The Serpents' defence remained strong and was able to keep the Royals off the board again, and would get the ball back. However, they would not get into the endzone as RB Hugo Hughes looked cut right through what appeared to be a hole, only to get lit up by LB Wallace Jordan. The hit would send Hughes back into DL Bernhard Hartmann who would hit Hughes’ arm and pop the ball loose. Ottawa would take over and would get into the endzone when RB Corbyn Knight ran in his 2nd TD of the game. Minnesota’s offence struggled after the turnover, and Ottawa would take the 14-point lead into the final quarter.
OTT 27-13 MIN

4th Q
Ottawa was once again driving to start the 4th. Unfortunately, they would not get into the endzone as QB Drake Young would throw a pass intended for WR Piers Key a little behind the WR cutting across the field. Key reached back and got a hand on it, but it popped up and into the arms of S Calvin Hobbes. Minnesota would take over and get down and into the redzone. QB Martin Keller would then hit WR Evan Clanton for an 11-yard TD pass to close the gap to 7-points once again. Ottawa would not be able to score on their next drive, and Minnesota continued to move the ball. Keller would get the Serpents down to the 32, but on 2nd and 4, the Royals would send the blitz and Keller tried to escape, but would still get brought down by DL Winfield Winchester for a 9-yard loss, forcing the Serpents to take the field goal. The Serpents would still have plenty of time, but the Royals would start eating away at the clock with a long drive that would get them down to the Serpents’ 23. RB Corbyn Knight had been the workhorse on the drive, picking up 47 yards on his own. At the 23, It looked like the Royals would continue to run the ball with Knight, but they would pull out the play action which had a lot of Serpents going the wrong way, leaving WR Colby Bancana 1-on-1 with DB Tyler Hill. Drake Young would fire the ball into the endzone to Bancana who had a step on Hill, giving the Royals an 11-point lead. Minnesota attempted to use the remaining time to score, but Keller would end up throwing an interception to DB Sergio Alvarez and then turning it over on downs on the final drive. Drake Young would kneel the game out as Ottawa earned their first playoff win since 1963, which is still the last and only time a crossover team has won a playoff game.  

OTT - #99 DL Bernhard Hartmann
MIN - #23 RB Hugo Hughes

WEST DIVISION SEMI-FINAL

Indiana Victors VS. Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - Victory Stadium - September 21, 1969 - 6 PM ET - Weather: Clear - 20ºC | 68ºF
1st Q
The atmosphere in Indianapolis was electric as many fans came down from Pittsburgh to see their first playoff game, mixing in with the Victors fans also in attendance. The Blacksmiths would get the ball to start. They would end up scoring on the first drive with K Al Highlander picking up the field goal. Indy’s offence was a little slow to get started, but on their second drive of the game, they would get down to the redzone with a WR Jake Abbredezzi catch that would pick up 38 yards. Shortly after, QB Tom Applewhite would hit WR Ed Edwards in the endzone to give them a 7-3 lead, which they would hold onto going into the 2nd quarter.
IND 7-3 PIT

2nd Q
The Victors would start to take over as QB Louis Vaughn would get picked off by DB Neville Falkner who was doing a fantastic job shutting down Vaughn’s favourite target in WR Taylor Austin. Indiana would turn the interception into a second touchdown with Applewhite hitting TE Eric Peterson for the score. Indiana was in control, keeping the Blacksmiths offence at bay with a couple of 2 and outs, while the offence would add a field goal to go up 17-3. As the half was coming to a close, Pittsburgh would manage to get into Indiana territory. Indiana still managed to hold off the attack and force a field goal attempt. K Al Highlander would get out there, but he would push his kick wide right. The Victors would take the ball out of the endzone to maintain their 14-point lead, which they will take into the half.
IND 17-3 PIT

3rd Q
Pittsburgh HC, Ted McMahon, would make many adjustments at the break to try and solve the Victors’ defence that had controlled the game to this point. The changes seemed to help, as on Pittsburgh’s second drive of the half, QB Louis Vaughn started to pick apart the Victors’ defence. They would get down to the 3-yard line before RB Tresean Jones would push his way into the endzone to cut the lead in half. The Victors looked to bounce back with a score, and were making progress, however, it would be halted when QB Tom Applewhite would over throw WR Silas Peyton, leading to a pick from DB Ole Snurlson. Pittsburgh would take advantage of the pick soon after as WR Orlando Barrack would slip behind DB Cameron Taylor. Vaughn would hit Barrack in stride who was then able to avoid the tackle attempt from Taylor before taking it the rest of the way for a touchdown to tie the game heading into the final quarter.
IND 17-17 PIT

4th Q
Both teams would be in a deadlock to start the 4th. Neither team got very far until the Victors would get over midfield with 7 minutes to go. The Indiana offence was starting to make their mark on the Blacksmiths’ defence with WR Ed Edwards making a pair of catches to get the Victors into the redzone. Indy would get down to the 12 before RB Raymond Green would run the ball into the endzone to give them the lead once again with time running low. QB Louis Vaughn would be tested to make a clutch drive down by a TD. The MVP candidate would get on the field and would promptly throw an interception to DB Cameron Taylor. Luckily, the play would be called back as Taylor would pull WR Orlando Barrack to the ground before making the pick, leading to a pass interference flag on the play. Vaughn gathered himself and would get the Blacksmiths rolling, going right back to Barrack to challenge Taylor who was playing less aggressively after the call. Barrack would pick up 17 on the play. Vaughn continued to pick apart the Victors getting the Blacksmiths down into the redzone with just under a minute to go. On 1st down, Vaughn would look for WR Taylor Austin, but Falkner still had him locked down and Vaughn’s pass would sail out of bounds. On 2nd down, Vaughn would feel some pressure but managed to slip away and get the ball to RB Ronald O’Sullivan who was being utilized in the passing game in the second half. O’Sullivan picked up the 1st down, setting up Pittsburgh for 1st and Goal. On 1st and 2nd down Vaughn’s pass attempts would be incomplete putting the Blacksmiths’ season in the balance on 3rd and Goal. Vaughn would drop back with less than 30 seconds to go, and would face pressure with no options open. Vaughn would have to keep the play alive long enough to see an open man. WR Justin Dubuque would slip into an open spot over the middle and Vaughn would fire it into his chest to get the game-tying touchdown, forcing overtime in the playoffs for the first time since 1965. 
IND 24-24 PIT

OT
In the extra frame. Pittsburgh would win the toss and take the ball to start, hoping to capitalize on a tired Victors' defence from their long drive at the end of the 4th. It appeared to work, especially to allow WR Taylor Austin to get a couple of looks against DB Neville Falkner. Austin would make a pair of clutch catches to pick up 23 yards on a drive that got Pittsburgh back into scoring range. Indy once again looked to hold off the attack in their own redzone, but Vaughn would dump the ball off to RB Ronald O’Sullivan and he would get a block and into the endzone to give Pittsburgh their first lead of the game. Indiana’s offence took the field to try and tie the game again. Indiana would pick up a 1st down on their first play. On the next play, Pittsburgh would send pressure after QB Tom Applewhite who dropped back to throw. The pressure did give the Victors a great opportunity with WR Jake Abbredezzi getting open, and Tom Applewhite would fire the ball. However, he was hit by DL Arthur Bradshaw as he threw and the ball went straight off of the helmet of DL Sammy Pickett and popped up into the middle of the field. LB Quinn Masters, who remained in coverage got underneath it and caught it. He started to run but didn’t get very far before pitching it to DB Zed McLaughlin. The DB would slip by the Victors’ offence and would score a touchdown to give Pittsburgh a 14-point lead. The score was back-breaking for the Victors who would not be able to get into the endzone as Pittsburgh pulled off the comeback and upset to win their first-ever playoff game.  

IND - #46 DB Neville Falkner
PIT - #90 DL Arthur Bradshaw

Injury Report
IND: LB Lucas Gladwell - 7 Weeks (Season)
IND: OL Barry Florence - 1 Week
MIN: DB Ross Conroy - 3 Weeks (Season)
MIN: OL Elliot Owen - 3 Weeks (Season)
MIN: WR Ferdinand Matthews - Day-to-Day
OTT: TE Wayne Bruce - 9 Weeks (Season)
PIT: OL Erik Nelson - 1 Week
PIT: DB Aiden Sargent - 3 Weeks (Season)

Players of the Week

EDSF: RB Corbyn Knight OTT - 1 Rushing Touchdown, 1 Receiving Touchdown, 136 Rushing Yards, 43 Receiving Yards. 

WDSF: QB Louis Vaughn PIT - 3 Passing Touchdowns, 321 Passing Yards

Division Final Preview

East Division Final - Boston Independents VS. Ottawa Royals
Head-to-Head: W5 OTT 34-20 BOS, W13 BOS 32-17 OTT
All-Time Playoff Head-to-Head: OTT leads 3-2
After meeting in Boston just 2 weeks ago, the Royals and Independents will battle to represent East for the 3rd time in their history (also meeting in the 1959 and 1960 East Division Final). Boston will be hoping to return to the McCallister Cup for the first time since 1961 and can do so with their 8th straight win. QB Nathaniel Braddock has been getting the offence rolling, while the defence has finally figured it out. On the other side, Ottawa will also be hoping to make it back to the final for the first time since 1960, and they are certainly going to put up a fight against the Independents. I think it is a close game, but I think the Royals will bounce back from the final game of the season and get back to the Cup.
My Pick: Royals

West Division Final - Buffalo Blue Wings VS. Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
Head-to-Head: PIT 10-21 BUF
All-Time Playoff Head-to-Head: 1st Meeting
Buffalo is aiming to get to their 4th McCallister Cup in 6 years, as they welcome the Blacksmiths in their first-ever Division Final appearance. The Blue Wings have had one of the best teams all around, with the most points for and least points against this season. The team is expected to give it to the Blacksmiths, who should still make it a game after they showed resilience in against the Victors. I still think the Blue Wings are just too good not to come away with a win but I expect it to be a close one.
My Pick: Blue Wings

Last edited by Wallflower (11/12/2022 3:47 pm)