AAAFL President continued with the unveiling of the two new teams that would be joining the Southern Regional Division.  “The table for the Southern Division has now been filled.  We have expanded into the state of Florida with two new clubs.  The motion picture industry has been burgeoning in Jacksonville, and the Jacksonville Film Company will be sponsoring the Longshots, who will play in the newly constructed Studio Stadium.  Also joining would be Miami Magic City, sponsored by John C. Field and the Field’s Feature Films Company.  The new clubs are already devising a derby trophy to be contested for next season.



Irwin then concluded the session.  “Because of the national-wide reach of the AFA Cup now, it has somewhat diluted the novelty of the Columbia Challenge Cup.  We’re looking to change its format in the upcoming year.  One thought is to simply make it a game between the UItimate Division champion and the AFA Cup winner.”  He also sadly noted that the Football World Championship would again not be held.  He finished his address with the announcement of another Derby - the two clubs from Los Angeles, Victoria and Pumpjacks, will play for the Golden Halo.

 1916-1917 Ultimate Division Midyear
While certain clubs (Philadelphia Sports, Indianapolis Speedsters, and Old Nassau) were expected to be milling about the top of the table, there were two big surprises in the running for the Ultimate Division title.   At the midyear break, the Baltimore Bannerets, who had finished in the 12th spot in the previous season and were a preseason pick for 13th, actually held a point lead in the top spot.  The other surprise was the newly promoted Kearny Caledonians, who were only 3 points off the pace in the 5th spot. 

At the bottom of the table, the standings were very tight with only 4 points separating the 19th place Baltimore Chimney Swifts and the 10th place Mound City FC.
 

1916-1917 Penultimate Division
Chicago West Side Kicks ran away with the title, outdistancing the field by 7 points at the season’s conclusion, and they will make an immediate return to the top flight.  Fall River Spindles were poised to earn promotion to the Ultimate Division going into the final week.  They led the Cleveland Longlegs by a single point.  While Cleveland put a 3-0 beating on their intra-state rival Columbus Arches, the Spindles drew 3-3 in Philadelphia against the United Cricket Clubs.  With the Longlegs’ significantly better goal difference, the Spindles will have to hope for better success next year.  At the bottom of the table, it was the two newcomers who will going right back down to Regional Divisions – New York Chieftains and St. Paul Boreads.  St. Paul at least had the consolation of getting their banner to fly above Fort Snelling by coming out on top of the Minneapolis Millers in Twin Cities’ derby play.

1916-1917 Mid-American Regional Division
The rebuilding and rebranding of the Louisville Lieutenants began paying dividends this year as the club edged intrastate rival Covington Bajuwaren and claimed the promotion spot to the Penultimate Division.  It was the Lieutenants’ stingier defense to allow them title, sporting a +20 goal difference to the Bajuwaren’s +15.  Club management is looking to bolster the squad for the upcoming season in hopes of an immediate return to the Ultimate Division, the place where the club began in 1895.  Covington had hoped for an immediate return to the Penultimate after being relegated last season. 

At the bottom of the table, Des Moines couldn’t keep up with Duluth in the struggle for the final spot of safety.  Newcomer South Bend Ceilteach will also have to spend next season in a Sectional Division but the Fighting Irish Alumni did show some promise during the season, so they might be returning to the Mid-American again after not too long of a stay.
 

1916-1917 Southern Regional Division
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