1971 Week 1

1971 SEASON KICKOFF GAME
Boston Independents - 23 @ Long Island Raiders - 26 - Long Island Stadium - Thursday, June 24, 1971 - 7:00 PM ET - Weather: Clear - Attendance: 40,934
1st Q
0-3: LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
2nd Q
7-3: BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
7-10: LI - RTD RB Scott Norton
14-10: BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Edward Webb
3rd Q
14-13: LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
20-13: BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
20-16: LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
4th Q
20-23: LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> RB Scott Norton
23-23: BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
23-26: LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher

The game started a little slow, but S Garet deVale would make a big play early, making a stellar grab to intercept a pass from QB Nathaniel Braddock, after flying in from his spot on a play he had no business being in on. The Raiders would get a field goal out of the play.
Both offences struggled in the first quarter, but Braddock got rolling in the second with a pair of touchdown passes, with one going to WR Edward Webb for his first as an Independent. 
Boston continued to hold their lead throughout the 3rd with another touchdown, however, the Raiders bounced back in the 4th with QB Ivan Sanchez leading a touchdown drive to give them the lead. Boston answered back with a go-ahead field goal, but the Raiders still had some fuel left in the tank and they would get the last punch in to secure the season-opening win.

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Louisville Thunder - 28 @ Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 30 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - Friday, June 25, 1971 - 6:00 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Attendance: 48,378
1st Q
0-3: PIT - FG K Nigel Stewart
0-10: PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
2nd Q
7-10: LOU - RTD RB Neil Bradley
7-13: PIT - FG K Nigel Stewart
7-20: PIT - RTD RB Max Tracy
3rd Q
14-20: LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
21-20: LOU - RTD RB Neil Bradley
4th Q
28-20: LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
28-26: PIT - RTD RB Max Tracy
28-27: PIT - Single K Nigel Stewart
28-30: PIT - FG K Nigel Stewart

The Blacksmiths got out to a solid start in front of a sold-out crowd in Pittsburgh, taking a 0-10 lead in the opening quarter.
In the second, Louisville answered back, but 10 more points from the Blacksmiths put them up by 13 going into halftime. RB Max Tracy, the new weapon in the Blacksmiths’ offence, would get his first TD on his new team.
Louisville bounced back in the 2nd half. QB Buck Murphy would lead the Thunder offence to 3 consecutive touchdowns, turning a 7-20 game into a 28-20 game in the 4th quarter. A pair of turnovers by Pittsburgh only helped the Thunder in their comeback.
Luckily for Pittsburgh, their offence would wake up. QB Louis Vaughn would march the Blacksmiths down the field before RB Max Tracy would pick up his second TD of the game. However, the Blacksmiths would miss the 2-point try and still be down by 2.
Pittsburgh would get a chance to take the lead, but their new kicker, Nigel Stewart, would miss the field goal. Luckily, he would get a second chance and this time, with :00 on the clock, Stewart hit the game-winning kick.

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Edmonton Rangers - 13 @ Vancouver Wolves - 19 - Vancouver Exhibition Stadium - Friday, June 25, 1971 - 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Attendance: 34,868
1st Q
0-3: VAN - FG K Sterling Brooks
2nd Q
0-10: VAN - RTD RB Jeremiah Morrow
3-10: EDM - FG K Thomas Standberry
3rd Q
3-13: VAN - FG K Sterling Brooks
10-13: EDM - PTD QB Blair Collins -> WR Stanley McClendon
4th Q
10-16: VAN - FG K Sterling Brooks
13-16: EDM - FG K Thomas Stanberry
13-19: VAN - FG K Sterling Brooks

The Vancouver Wolves welcomed their rivals to open the season. The Wolves would control the game out of the gate, taking a 0-10 lead. 
Edmonton struggled to move the ball in the first half. In the 2nd half, they would catch a break with WR Spencer Hicks making a great grab to set up a touchdown pass to WR Stanley McClendon. The touchdown would be the rookie's first of his career. 
Despite the touchdown, Vancouver remained in control and scored 2 more field goals in the 4th to hold on to the win.

Ottawa Royals - 31 @ Indiana Victors - 13 - Victory Stadium - Saturday, June 26, 1971 - 12:00 PM ET - Weather: Clear - Attendance: 45,307
1st Q
3-0: OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3-3: IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4-3: OTT - Single K Ira Foster
2nd Q
7-3: OTT - FG K Ira Foster
14-3: OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> TE Luiss de Brands
21-3: OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Matthew de la Cruz
3rd Q
21-6: IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
24-6: OTT - FG K Ira Foster
4th Q
31-6: OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
31-13: IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Jake Abbredezzi

The Royals rolled into Indiana determined to get their first win in the stadium since 1967. The defence made their mark early with DB Sergio Alvarez grabbing an interception on the Victors’ opening drive. 
Indiana managed to hold Ottawa to just 4 points in the opening quarter, but things quickly spiralled out of control in the 2nd. QB Tom Applewhite would throw 2 more interceptions to S Marc Bellecourt and S Joseph Ackerman. Ottawa would capitalize with 17 points in the quarter, including 2 touchdowns.
The Victors’ struggles slowed in the 3rd, but Ottawa would get a 3rd touchdown to start the 4th and put the game out of reach. WR Jake Abbredezzi would get a consolation touchdown late in the 4th.

London Tigers - 30 @ Calgary Predators - 24 - OT - Predators Stadium at The Stampede - Saturday, June 26, 1971 - 3:30 PM ET/1:30 PM MT - Weather: Cloudy/Light Rain - Attendance: 29,262
1st Q
7-0: LDN - PTD QB Tyrion Gainsborough -> WR Cole Fletcher
7-7: CGY - RTD RB John Drexel
2nd Q
14-7: LDN - RTD RB Jeremy Royal
14-10: CGY - FG K Billy Eichelberger
3rd Q
14-17: CGY - RTD WR Ted Jackson
14-24: CGY - DTD FUM DL Chris Barrett
4th Q
17-24: LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
24-24: LDN - PTD QB Tyrion Gainsborough -> WR Alex Browne Sr.
OT
27-24: LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
30-24: LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth

QB Tyrion Gainsborough made his first start for the Tigers and got the ball rolling early with a touchdown pass in the first quarter. Calgary responded a few minutes later with a touchdown of their own. 
RB Jeremy Royal would give the Tigers the lead heading into halftime, with the defence holding Calgary to a field goal. 
The Predators would rebound in the 3rd with a big touchdown from WR Ted Jackson who weaved his way through the Tigers’ defence on a reverse play. Then, DL Damien Battles would rock Gainsborough, forcing a fumble, which would be returned to the house by DL Chris Barrett. 
Both the offence and defence of the Tigers would both step up in the final quarter. The defence held off Calgary while Gainsborough would lead the Tigers to 10 points, including a crucial game-tying field goal to the former Edmonton Ranger, WR Alex Browne Sr. 
In the extra frame, the Tigers remained in control, scoring 2 field goals while the Preds were held scoreless.

Regina Wheat Kings - 12 @ Minnesota Serpents - 34 - Midgard Stadium - Saturday, June 26, 1971 - 3:30 PM ET/2:30 PM CT - Weather: Cloudy - Attendance: 48,345
1st Q
1-0: REG - Single K Mark Mundle
1-3: MIN - FG K Ray Bough
2nd Q
1-10: MIN - RTD RB Tyler Kuhn
1-17: MIN - PTD QB Martin Keller -> WR Ferdinand Matthews
3rd Q
7-17: REG - RTD RB Deion Chapman
9-17: REG - 2PT QB Stanley Evans -> RB Deion Chapman
9-24: MIN - RTD RB Tyler Kuhn
4th Q
12-24: REG - FG K Mark Mundle
12-27: MIN - FG K Ray Bough
12-34: MIN - DTD INT S Gérard LaCroix

Minnesota picked up right where they left off last season with a commanding win over the Wheat Kings. The first half was all Serpents aside from a single from a punt that sailed into the endzone after being picked up by the wind. Tyler Kuhn and Ferdinand Matthews both found the endzone.
Regina showed a little life early in the 3rd after a great return from RB Chris Shine would set up a touchdown from RB Deion Chapman.
Minnesota’s defence played very well, creating 4 turnovers on the day, which included a pick-6 in the 4th from S Gérard LaCroix.

SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Winnipeg Falcons - 9 @ Toronto Steelheads - 23 - Anderson Stadium - Saturday, June 26, 1971 - 7:00 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy/Light Rain - Attendance: 48,746
1st Q
0-3: TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
2nd Q
0-10: TOR - RTD RB Shannon West
0-17: TOR - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Sterling Underhill
3rd Q
3-17: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth
3-20: TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
6-20: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth
4th Q
6-23: TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
9-23: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth

The new look Steelheads came out and had a very strong opening half. It took a quarter to get going, but RB Shannon West and RB Théodore Lemieux would take advantage of a weaker front-7 from the Falcons to help put up points. QB David Simmons would throw an early interception, but he rebounded well, eventually throwing a touchdown to Sterling Underhill. 
Winnipeg finally got points on the board in the 3rd with a field goal. QB Emerson Thompson struggled throughout the game, throwing 2 interceptions and fumbling once. They managed a couple more field goals, but Toronto’s defence did a good job holding them out of the endzone. QB Jerome Sheppard would get a few snaps to give Thompson a breather following the turnovers but left the game after taking a big hit. 

Buffalo Blue Wings - 37 @ Montreal Rouge - 41 - Mount Royal Stadium - Sunday, June 27, 1971 - 1:00 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy - Attendance: 46,105
1st Q
7-0: BUF - RTD RB Jasper Dickerson
7-3: MTL - FG K Frank Hughes
10-3: BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
2nd Q
10-6: MTL - FG K Frank Hughes
17-6: BUF - RTD RB Jasper Dickerson
17-13: MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Yahui Sun
17-20: MTL - DTD INT DB Jean Paul du Pont
3rd Q
20-20: BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
20-27: MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
27-27: BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
4th Q
30-27: BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
30-34: MTL - PTD QB Magnus Torrensen -> WR Antonio Villanueva
37-34: BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
37-41: MTL - KRTD WR Nathan Hackman

Sunday afternoon became a thrilling affair between the Blue Wings and the Rouge. Buffalo would get the upper hand early with a touchdown from RB Jasper Dickerson. 
After each team traded field goals into the 2nd, Montreal would get a big fumble from DL Alan Franjkovic only for QB Gene Bishop to throw a pick 3 plays later. Buffalo would capitalize with another touchdown from Jasper Dickerson. Montreal would bounce back immediately with a touchdown on their following drive. Then, DB Jean Paul du Pont would take a rare errant throw from QB Charles Lemieux back to the house to give them the lead. 
In the 3rd, both teams found success on offence, each scoring a touchdown to leave the game tied heading into the final quarter. However, to add to the drama, QB Gene Bishop would take a tough hit and injure his throwing arm, forcing QB Magnus Torrensen into the game. 
Buffalo would catch Torrensen off guard with DL Jordan Fordham getting a hand on the ball and knocking it loose. Buffalo would pick up a field goal on the ensuing drive. Luckily, Torrensen bounced back, not being afraid to take off and picked up a couple of first downs on his feet. RB Raymond Green and RB Bo Frazier helped out on the long drive that ended with WR Antonio Villanueva’s first touchdown of his career. Buffalo had limited time, but they drove down the field and QB Charles Lemieux would hit WR Tracy Driscoll for a touchdown with just over a minute to go in the game. Montreal’s offence was preparing for what would be a very tough drive, however, they would never have to take the field as WR Nathan Hackman would find a hole and take the kickoff back to the house to regain the lead. Mount Royal Stadium was electric as Buffalo failed to score after former Blue Wing S Mathieu Cazenave picked off Lemieux to seal the win.
*The loss also marks the first time since 1963 that the Blue Wings have lost their opening game (which is also the first time under HC Maurice Evanson who had taken the job in 1964)

Halifax Mariners - 14 @ Providence Gold Stars - 35 - New Providence Stadium - Sunday, June 27, 1971 - 1:00 PM ET - Weather: Clear - Attendance: 56,579
1st Q
0-7: PRO - RTD RB Ronnie Byers
0-14: PRO - PTD QB Red King -> WR Owen Paisley
2nd Q
0-21: PRO - PTD QB Red King -> WR Justin Palmer
3-21: HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
3rd Q
4-21: HFX - Single K Albert Wickerweaver
4-28: PRO - RTD RB Tresean Jones
7-28: HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
4th Q
14-28: HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> TE Brandon McPhail
14-35: PRO - PTD QB Red King -> WR Bennie Braverman

The Gold Stars’ faithful came out to see the maiden start for their new star QB, Red King. King did not disappoint. He got the offence rolling in the opening half, leading 3 touchdown drives, and throwing 2 of the touchdowns. 
Halifax showed a little life in the late 2nd and 3rd, but Providence was able to keep piling on.
QB Lyle Painter would finally break into the endzone after hitting TE Brandon McPhail for the score, but Providence would respond right back with a touchdown of their own to secure the victory.
Providence’s defence was a major factor overall, creating 3 turnovers and giving Halifax almost nothing until the 4th quarter.

Injury Report
BOS: LB Mads Strahlman - 1 Week
BUF: RB Jasper Dickerson - Day-to-Day
IND: LB Terrence Patton - 1 Week
LDN: TE Tranquille Rousseau - 5 Weeks
LDN: DL Mo Kahn - 1 Week
MIN: OL Paul O’Doherty - 2 Weeks
MIN: LB Enzo Morello - 11 Weeks
MIN: S Calvin Hobbes - 1 Week
MTL: QB Gene Bishop - 2 Weeks
TOR: OL Mason Fitzpatrick - 5 Weeks
TOR: OL Robin Beard - Day-to-Day
VAN: OL James Denison - 1 Week
WPG: OL Josh Rowell - Day-to-Day
WPG: QB Jerome Sheppard - 2 Weeks

Players of the Week

OFF: QB Drake Young OTT - 3 Passing Touchdowns, 321 Passing Yards

DEF: LB Kurt Warlock PRO - 10 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble

Standings
WEST
Minnesota - 1-0
Vancouver - 1-0
Calgary - 0-1
Winnipeg - 0-1
Edmonton - 0-1
Regina - 0-1

CENTRAL
Pittsburgh - 1-0
Toronto - 1-0
London - 1-0
Buffalo - 0-1
Indiana - 0-1
Louisville - 0-1

EAST
Providence - 1-0
Long Island - 1-0
Ottawa - 1-0
Montreal - 1-0
Boston - 0-1
Halifax - 0-1

Power Rankings
1 - Pittsburgh -
2 - Minnesota -
3 - Long Island +1
4 - Boston -1
5 - Ottawa +2
6 - Louisville -1
7 - Providence +1
8 - Vancouver -2
9 - Buffalo -
10 - Montreal +3
11 - Indiana -1
12 - Toronto +4
13 - Winnipeg -2
14 - London +1
15 - Halifax -3
16 - Calgary +1
17 - Edmonton -3
18 - Regina -

1971 Week 2 Games
EDM (0-1) @ LDN (1-0) - JUL 1 - 2:00 PM ET - Canada Day
TOR (1-0) @ OTT (1-0) - JUL 1 - 6:00 PM ET - Canada Day
MIN (1-0) @ WPG (0-1) - JUL 2 - 7:00 PM ET - Friday Night Football
REG (0-1) @ MTL (1-0) - JUL 3 - 12:00 PM ET
VAN (1-0) @ LOU (0-1) - JUL 3 - 3:30 PM ET
PRO (1-0) @ CGY (0-1) - JUL 3 - 3:30 PM ET
LI (1-0) @ HFX (0-1) - JUL 3 - 6:30 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
IND (0-1) @ BUF (0-1) - JUL 4 - 2:00 PM ET - 4th of July
PIT (1-0) @ BOS (0-1) - JUL 4 - 6:00 PM ET - 4th of July

Last edited by Wallflower (9/06/2023 3:36 pm)

Outstanding performance Halifax! 🤦🏻‍♂️

Guess I should congratulate the Providence defense too…. 😩

1971 Week 3

Roster Moves
BUF: RB Jasper Dickerson | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
BUF: RB Lando Blake | Reserve List -> Active Roster
LDN: RB Jeremy Royal | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
LDN: RB Lonnie Ferguson (Rookie) | Reserve List -> Active Roster
LOU: DL Craig Cromwell | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
LOU: DL Carl Hogg (Rookie) | Reserve List -> Active Roster
MIN: WR Ferdinand Matthews | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
MIN: WR Montana Strole (Rookie) | Reserve List -> Active Roster
MTL: QB Magnus Torrensen | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
MTL: QB Jacque Monet (Rookie) | Reserve List -> Active Roster
OTT: LB Tuukka Tariitt | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
OTT: LB Sheamus Desmond | Reserve List -> Active Roster
REG: LB Austin Ford | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
REG: LB Arsenio Baldi (Rookie) | Reserve List -> Active Roster

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
London Tigers - 17 @ Providence Gold Stars - 20 - New Providence Stadium - Friday, July 9, 1971 - 7:00 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Attendance: 55,915
1st Q
0-3: PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
3-3: LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
2nd Q
3-10: PRO - RTD RB Tresean Jones
3rd Q
10-10: LDN - PTD QB Tyrion Gainsborough -> WR Alex Browne Sr. 
4th Q
10-13: PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
17-13: LDN - RTD QB Gilles Doucet
17-20: PRO - PTD QB Red King -> WR Owen Paisley

A battle between a pair of 2-0 teams would start with defence controlling the game. Only a pair of field goals had been scored until Providence finally broke into the endzone in the late stages of the 2nd quarter. 
In the 3rd, the Tigers would answer back with Gainsborough finding WR Alex Browne Sr. The lone touchdown drive was about all the offence for either team with each defence coming up with stops. 
The Gold Stars would regain their lead early in the 4th, but the Tigers would string together a lengthy drive to respond, QB Gilles Doucet scoring to give the Tigers their first lead of the game.
Following the Tigers’ touchdown, QB Red King would show what he is made of by leading the Gold Stars down the field for an eventual game-winning touchdown to improve to 3-0.

Indiana Victors - 18 @ Toronto Steelheads - 7 - Anderson Stadium - Saturday, July 10, 1971 - 12:00 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy - Attendance: 48,092
1st Q
0-7: TOR - PTD QB David Simmons -> TE Lucas Warmer
3-7: IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
2nd Q
10-7: IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
3rd Q
17-7: IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Leonard Green
4th Q
18-7: IND - Single K Ross Poindexter

The Steelheads started the game on the right foot with an early touchdown drive to get them a 0-7 lead. However, the excitement in Anderson Stadium was short-lived as Indiana’s defence would shut down QB David Simmons and the Steelheads’ offence the rest of the way. 
While the defence did its job, QB Tom Applewhite would lead the Victors to 18 straight points, throwing a pair of touchdowns. The Victors would have a very chill afternoon, taking home an 18-7 win.

Montreal Rouge - 24 @ Ottawa Royals - 21 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - Saturday, July 10, 1971 - 12:00 PM ET - Weather: Clear - Attendance: 45,109
1st Q
0-1: OTT - Single K Ira Foster
3-1: MTL - FG K Frank Hughes
3-8: OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> TE Luiss de Brands
2nd Q
10-8: MTL - RTD RB Bo Frazier
10-15: OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
3rd Q
10-18: OTT - FG K Ira Foster
16-18: MTL - RTD RB Raymond Green
4th Q
16-21: OTT - FG K Ira Foster
22-21: MTL - PTD QB Nathan Houle -> WR Antonio Villanueva
24-21: MTL - 2PT RB Bo Frazier

QB Nathan Houle had a tall task in taking on the red-hot Ottawa Royals in his first career start. Luckily, Houle did not have to do it all on his own as his teammates stepped up in a big way. The defence was the key factor as they were able to pick off QB Drake Young twice and pick up a couple of other big stops. Ottawa's defence had their own blows to deliver with a pair of their own interceptions off of Houle. Ottawa would still maintain a lead in the 3rd quarter, however, Montreal would claw back with a touchdown drive led by the 3 Rouge running backs in Raymond Green, Bo Frazier, and Maxwell Greenfield. Montreal failed to pick up the 2-point conversion but remained within a score despite an Ottawa field goal in the 4th. Houle would need to lead a touchdown drive to get Montreal a win. Luckily, Houle’s job ended up being easy as he just had to get the ball to WR Antonio Villanueva, who would then do all the work, breaking through the Royals' defence to get deep into Ottawa territory and then eventually the endzone a few plays later. 

Halifax Mariners - 17 @ Edmonton Rangers - 25 - Forest Heights Park - Saturday, July 10, 1971 - 3:30 PM ET/1:30 PM MT - Weather: Cloudy - Attendance: 27,689
1st Q
3-0: HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
3-3: EDM - FG K Thomas Standberry
2nd Q
3-6: EDM - FG K Thomas Standberry
10-6: HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
10-13: EDM - RTD RB Gary Hubbard
3rd Q
13-13: HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
13-19: EDM - PTD QB Blair Collins -> WR Stanley McClendon
16-19: HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
4th Q
17-19: HFX - Single K Albert Wickerweaver
17-25: EDM - RTD RB Gary Hubbard

The Rangers and Mariners were in a tight battle in the first half, with both teams getting a field goal in the opening quarter before they each got a touchdown in the 2nd. A second K Thomas Standberry field goal would be the only difference heading into the half.
The second half would see the game take an interesting turn as the injuries started to pile up. QB Lyle Painter would get knocked out of the game early in the 3rd, leading to the 1st overall pick, QB Todd Sparrow, stepping in. Sparrow would enter the game and struggle to get the ball going especially after WR Shane Steadman and OL Kane Warwick both exited the game early. 
Edmonton would take advantage of a couple more defensive injuries for the Mariners, scoring a touchdown to regain a 6-point lead. However, Edmonton would be hit with their own injury in K Thomas Standberry taking a hit on the 1-point conversion. 
QB Todd Sparrow got the Mariners back into the game with some solid throws, but Edmonton’s defence would still hold them off and the offence would add to the lead to secure their first win of the season. 

Boston Independents - 37 @ Vancouver Wolves - 40 - OT - Vancouver Exhibition Stadium - Saturday, July 10, 1971 - 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT - Weather: Cloudy/Light Rain - Attendance: 34,959
1st Q
3-0: BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
2nd Q
3-7: VAN - PTD QB Kevin Westwood -> WR Akira Sakamoto
10-7: BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
10-10: VAN - FG K Sterling Brooks
3rd Q
10-13: VAN - FG K Sterling Brooks
13-13: BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
4th Q
13-16: VAN - FG K Sterling Brooks
20-16: BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
20-23: VAN - RTD RB Jeremiah Morrow
27-23: BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Al Allmendinger
27-30: VAN - PTD QB Kevin Westwood -> WR Keshawn Johnston
30-30: BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
OT
30-33: VAN - FG K Sterling Brooks
37-33: BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Al Allmendinger
37-40: VAN - PTD QB Kevin Westwood -> WR Akira Sakamoto

The Independents took their second trip out to Vancouver and had a stellar battle with the Wolves. 
Defence ruled the early stages of the game with Boston getting only 3 points in the opening quarter, however, the offence picked up in the 2nd quarter leading to a 10-10 tie at halftime. 
The 3rd would see the defence return to form with only a pair of field goals being scored and a couple of turnovers. 
In the 4th, QB Nathaniel Braddock and QB Kevin Westwood took over the game and put up an electrifying final quarter. The two were able to put up a combined 34 points in the final quarter to leave the game tied at 30 following a clutch kick from K Woody Woodstock of the Independents. 
The offence would continue into the extra frame with both teams getting points on the board, but it was Vancouver that got the extra blow with a touchdown from Akira Sakamoto to win their second game of the season.

SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Long Island Raiders - 21 @ Buffalo Blue Wings - 28 - Milton Charles Stadium - Saturday, July 10, 1971 - 7:00 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy - Attendance: 53,789
1st Q
0-7: BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
0-14: BUF - RTD RB Yancy Harrison
2nd Q
7-14: LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Frank Drysdale
3rd Q
14-14: LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Troy York
21-14: LI - RTD RB Scott Norton
4th Q
21-21: BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
21-28: BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Boris Bohka

The Blue Wings would aim to end their winless campaign against the defending champs on Saturday Night. 
Buffalo got off to a great start with a pair of touchdowns in the opening quarter to jump out to a 0-14 lead, however, Long Island would climb back into the game in the 2nd.
The Raiders’ defence would step up and stall the Blue Wings’ offence that would also lose WR Tracy Driscoll to injury. The offence would also find their groove, scoring 3 consecutive touchdowns to take a 21-14 lead into the final quarter. 
In the final frame, QB Charles Lemieux woke up and dragged the Blue Wings back into the game. Lemieux would first find WR Jimmy Jack to tie the game, before leading a game-winning drive that would end with WR Boris Bohka scoring his first career touchdown. 

Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 25 @ Louisville Thunder - 34 - Thunder Stadium - Sunday, July 11, 1971 - 1:00 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Attendance: 44,101
1st Q
7-0: PIT - RTD RB Max Tracy
7-3: LOU - FG K Elvis Franklin
2nd Q
7-10: LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
14-10: PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
3rd Q
14-17: LOU - RTD RB Neil Bradley
21-17: PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> RB Ronald O’Sullivan
21-24: LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
4th Q
24-24: PIT - FG K Nigel Stewart
24-31: LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> TE Rex Williamson
25-31: PIT - Single K Nigel Stewart
25-34: LOU - FG K Elvis Franklin

The first rematch of the 1971 season would be between the Thunder and the Blacksmiths. The Blacksmiths would get the upper hand early with a touchdown from RB Max Tracy, however, Louisville answered back with 10 points of their own. Finally, just before the half, the Blacksmiths would regain the lead on a touchdown toss to WR Taylor Austin.
Some adjustments were made at the half, as Louisville aimed to get revenge for the week 1 loss. They would regain the lead early in the 2nd half. Pittsburgh would answer back following an interception from DB Zed McLaughlin that turned into a RB Ronald O’Sullivan touchdown, but WR Casey Coleman would score his second TD of the game to once again give the lead to the Thunder.
In the final quarter, the Blacksmiths would get a field goal early to tie the game up, but the Thunder would begin to pull away from the Blacksmiths with a touchdown from TE Rex Williamson and then the defence being able to shut down Pittsburgh. The Thunder would control the game the rest of the way to get the big divisional win.

Calgary Predators - 6 @ Minnesota Serpents - 28 - Midgard Stadium - Sunday, July 11, 1971 - 1:00 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy - Attendance: 47,927
1st Q
0-7: MIN - PTD QB Martin Keller -> WR Sebastian Dassler
0-14: MIN - RTD RB Tyler Kuhn
2nd Q
3-14: CGY - FG K Billy Eichelberger
3-21: MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
3rd Q
4th Q
6-21: CGY - FG K Billy Eichelberger
6-28: MIN - PTD QB Martin Keller -> WR Sebastian Dassler

Minnesota aimed to rebound from the loss to Winnipeg last week in their return home against the Predators. Two first-quarter touchdowns would get the Serpents up by 14 early while the Predators' offence continued to put up a goose egg. 
For the second week in a row, QB Jesse Essex could not get the ball moving and struggled immensely when needing to pass the ball. They would barely get 3 points on the board before QB Emmitt Jackson was put into the game for the second straight game. Jackson 
was able to get 3 more points, but the Serpents were running away with the game as their offence added to their total in the 4th to clinch the win.

Winnipeg Falcons - 30 @ Regina Wheat Kings - 25 - Broad Street Stadium - Sunday, July 11, 1971 - 4:30 PM ET/2:30 PM CST - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Attendance: 18,467
1st Q
0-3: REG - FG K Mark Mundle
3-3: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth
10-3: WPG - RTD RB Joe Rivers
2nd Q
10-6: REG - FG K Mark Mundle
17-6: WPG - PTD QB Emerson Thompson -> WR Terry Upshaw
3rd Q
17-12: REG - RTD RB Deion Chapman
17-18: REG - RTD RB Deion Chapman
20-18: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth
4th Q
27-18: WPG - PTD QB Emerson Thompson -> WR Juwan Sylvester
27-25: REG - PTD QB Stanley Evans -> WR Nick Spalding
27-26: REG - Single K Mark Mundle
30-26: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth

The battle of the prairies would close out week 3 of the 1971 season in a solid head-to-head matchup. The Falcons would get out to a lead in the first half with RB Joe Rivers building off of the performance he had last week as Offensive Player of the Week. Rivers would get into the endzone and then QB Emerson Thompson would find the endzone through the air for the first time this season. 
Winnipeg had the 17-6 lead, but the Wheat Kings offence would find a new gear behind the rushing attack of RB Deion Chapman. Chapman would score back-to-back touchdowns following a fumble created by LB Brett Pride, giving Regina the lead.
Winnipeg answered back with 10 points of their own, but Regina stuck in the game with a touchdown from WR Nick Spalding. 
Regina would get a big stop from their defence to set up a chance to take a late lead, but K Mark Mundle would miss the field goal attempt. Regina would get the point, but RB Joe Rivers would put the Falcons on his back and rolled down the field to hold off the Wheat Kings.

Injury Report
BOS: LB Byron Turner - 1 Week
BOS: DL Moses Abraham - Day-to-Day
BUF: WR Tracy Driscoll - Day-to-Day
CGY: DL Wolfgang Dill - 7 Weeks
CGY: RB Rocco Peaks - Day-to-Day
CGY: DL Chris Barrett - 7 Weeks
EDM: K Thomas Standberry - Day-to-Day
HFX: QB Lyle Painter - 3 Weeks
HFX: S Sampson Wendel - Season
HFX: OL Kane Warwick - 2 Weeks
HFX: WR Shane Steadman - Day-to-Day
HFX: DL Bernard King - Day-to-Day
MIN: WR Buzz Hronak - Day-to-Day
MTL: QB Jacque Monet - Day-to-Day
PIT: OL Lars Nordssen - 2 Weeks
REG: DB Tim Fox - 8 Weeks
REG: DB Madison McGhee - Day-to-Day
REG: S Sheldon Jackson - Day-to-Day
TOR: OL Alan Farquharson - Day-to-Day
TOR: OL Flint Boyer - Day-to-Day

Players of the Week

OFF: QB Kevin Westwood VAN - 3 Passing Touchdowns, 342 Passing Yards

DEF: LB Garrett Roberts MIN - 11 Tackles, 1 Sack

Standings
WEST
Winnipeg - 2-1
Minnesota - 2-1
Vancouver - 2-1
Edmonton - 1-2
Calgary - 0-3
Regina - 0-3

CENTRAL 
Indiana - 2-1
Louisville - 2-1
London - 2-1
Pittsburgh - 1-2
Toronto - 1-2
Buffalo - 1-2

EAST
Providence - 3-0
Montreal - 3-0
Long Island - 2-1
Ottawa - 2-1
Boston - 1-2
Halifax - 0-3

Power Rankings
1 - Ottawa -
2 - Louisville +3
3 - Providence +4
4 - Vancouver +5
5 - Long Island -3
6 - Montreal +2
7 - Boston -4
8 - Buffalo +3
9 - Pittsburgh -5
10 - Minnesota -4
11 - Indiana -1
12 - Winnipeg -
13 - London - 
14 - Edmonton +2
15 - Halifax -1
16 - Toronto -1
17 - Regina +1
18 - Calgary -1

Week 4 Games
MTL (3-0) @ HFX (0-3) - JUL 16 - 6:00 PM ET - Friday Night Football
VAN (2-1) @ EDM (1-2) - JUL 16 - 9:00 PM ET - Friday Night Football
LOU (2-1) @ BUF (1-2) - JUL 17 - 12:00 PM ET
LDN (2-1) @ TOR (1-2) - JUL 17 - 12:00 PM ET
OTT (2-1) @ REG (0-3) - JUL 17 - 3:30 PM ET
CGY (0-3) @ PIT (1-2) - JUL 17 - 3:30 PM ET
MIN (2-1) @ IND (2-1) - JUL 17 - 7:00 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
BOS (1-2) @ PRO (3-0) - JUL 18 - 1:00 PM ET
LI (2-1) @ WPG (2-1) - JUL 18 - 4:30 PM ET

Last edited by Wallflower (9/12/2023 6:06 pm)

good to see the birdman getting some reps in, despite the circumstances. also how are two of the rouge's running backs named green? huge L for colorblind people imo

TheEnigmaticOne wrote:

If London is 2-1, why are they so low on the rankings list?

Yes, they are 2-1, but the teams they beat were Calgary and Edmonton, both of which are lower than them in the rankings, (ie, those are teams they should beat), while they lost to Providence (a team they should lose to). As far as my opinion goes (which the rankings are based on how I feel about the teams because a formula has been too complicated to really consider), London hasn't beaten anyone that warrants them moving higher, just like a team like Boston who is still a top 10 team despite a 1-2 record, but they have lost to a pair of other top 10 teams in Long Island and Vancouver, both by 3 points. London is in a position to move up since a 3-point loss to the Gold Stars is an impressive performance, but they still need to prove a little more and hope some teams ahead of them start to slip as well.

I hope that clarifies things!

Last edited by Wallflower (9/18/2023 7:27 pm)