54th McCallister Cup

Roster Moves
PRO: LB Kurt Warlock | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
PRO: LB Cole Kent | Active Roster -> Reserve List

(5) Vancouver Wolves VS. (1) Providence Gold Stars - Milton Charles Stadium - Buffalo, NY - October 22, 1972 - 7:00 PM ET - Weather: Rain - 9°C | 48°F - Attendance: 53,871
Many Gold Star fans made the trip over to Buffalo to watch their team compete for a title, even with the rain in the forecast. Wolves fans were few and far between the Gold Stars and local Buffalo fans that were in attendance, making it feel more like a home game for the Gold Stars. The rain was increasing as the kickoff festivities continued in what was shaping up to be a wet evening.

1st Quarter
Vancouver would get the ball to start the game but quickly went 2 and out following a dropped pass from WR Akira Sakamoto. Providence took over and didn’t have much success either, getting one 1st down before punting it back. The game continued like this for a while until Vancouver would be the first to catch a break when QB Red King would lose his grip on the football when pulling it back to throw. DL Qian Zhou would land on it after the ball pinballed around the many legs of the O- and D-lines. Vancouver would take over in Providence’s end and put up a field goal to strike first. The sudden turn of events didn’t deter Providence who was able to get down the field themselves and add a field goal to tie the game with RB Tresean Jones starting to get some traction in the run game.
VAN 3-3 PRO

2nd Quarter
The rain started to pick up a little more into the 2nd quarter. However, despite that Providence would be able to get the offence moving. RB Tresean Jones continued to roll out of the backfield, but it was WR Justin Palmer who was able to slip out of a couple of tackles following an 18-yard catch and pick up another 21 yards. After Jones failed to get into the endzone from the 3 on 1st down, the Gold Stars would swing the ball to RB Ronnie Byers who would then punch in the first touchdown of the game to give Providence the lead. On the ensuing kickoff, RB Nikki Yang would return the kick only to lose his grip on the ball allowing DB Nazario Piacenza to pick it up for a big turnover. Providence would once again threaten a touchdown, but WR Leon Hudson would be unable to reel in the touchdown grab, forcing the Gold Stars to settle for a field goal. The game had quickly gone from a tie to a 10-point Gold Stars lead. Vancouver’s offence was really struggling, between dropped passes and a batter O-line that was having a tough time against the Gold Stars’ front. QB Kevin Westwood was running for his life on most plays having to throw the ball out of bounds several times to avoid sacks. However, he was eventually able to slip a tackle and hit WR Keshawn Johnston for a decent gain to get into Providence’s end. However, they didn’t get much further and had to punt. Providence returner, WR Mark Taylor, also had some trouble on the return with the ball slipping through his arms and bouncing into the endzone. Taylor would get back and fall on it, sacrificing the single. Providence would then take the lead into halftime
VAN 4-13 PRO

3rd Quarter
The rain continued to start the 3rd quarter and Vancouver was still getting swamped by the Gold Stars’ defence. RB Jeremiah Morrow would eventually be blown up in the backfield, causing a fumble and taking Morrow out of the game. Providence added to their lead shortly after with another field goal to make it 4-16. Frustration could have easily overcome the Wolves after another turnover, but they remained composed. On the next drive, QB Kevin Westwood was dishing out to his many receivers. He had to get the ball off quickly with Providence still putting on the pressure. It would still work with WR Akira Sakamoto eventually slipping a tackle to get down to the 5. Westwood would then toss a short pass to RB Nikki Yang, who would get into the endzone. Over the time Vancouver rolled down the field, the rain let up, going from consistent rain to a very sparse drizzle. Vancouver’s defence built off of the momentum and longer rest and was able to hold the Gold Stars off on the next couple of drives. However, Providence would also stop the Wolves to hold onto a 5-point lead heading into the final quarter.
VAN 11-16 PRO

4th Quarter
A drizzle remained in the final frame, but the lighter rain seemed to allow for more offensive risk-taking with the Gold Stars starting to move down the field. Vancouver had gained some momentum in the 3rd with a solid comeback, so the Gold Stars felt they needed to put the pressure on offensively. QB Red King went to work and swiftly got the team down to the 16 before he would hit WR Justin Palmer for a touchdown to give Providence an 11-22 lead. Unfortunately, K Gilbert O’Neill’s left foot slipped on the grass as he ran up to kick the extra point resulting in a failed PAT. Vancouver would get a decent return to start the next drive, helping them get to midfield. However, it would end shortly after when DL Bartolo Cruz got to QB Kevin Westwood for the 3rd time in the game. Providence would get the ball back and once again get down the field. O’Neill did get some redemption for his earlier slip-up, putting up another field goal to extend the lead to 11-25. Down 14 with less than half a quarter to go, Vancouver was feeling the pressure, but Westwood remained composed. He would lead another long drive down the field, somehow finding a way past the Gold Stars’ defence. The drive would come to an end when Westwood would hit WR Keshawn Johnston cutting across the field on a post. Johnston would get by S Paul Christopher to get into the endzone to cut the lead in half. The Providence fans collectively held their breath as Vancouver was back in the game. Providence’s offence would try to kill some clock with some conservative offence, but Vancouver’s defence was able to stop them eventually and get the ball back. Time was down to less than 3 minutes as Westwood once again started to lead the offence down the field. As hard as the Gold Stars’ defence tried, Vancouver kept moving, picking up a couple of 3rd down conversions to keep the drive alive. Westwood was looking to threaten a potential game-tying score and dropped back, but was immediately flushed out of the pocket by DL Bartolo Cruz. WR Akira Sakamoto had run his route, but changed direction and looked like he had a window. As Westwood threw, Cruz laid a hit and he couldn’t get enough on it. DB Neville Falkner cut right at it and picked off the pass, running it all the way the other way for a touchdown to put the game to bed. The Providence fans exploded. Vancouver had nothing left in the tank. The Gold Stars had ended their drought. They were champions for the first time since 1941.

Scoring Summary
1st Q
3-0: VAN - FG K Sterling Brooks
3-3: PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
2nd Q
3-10: PRO - RTD RB Ronnie Byers
3-13: PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
4-13: VAN - Single K Sterling Brooks
3rd Q
4-16: PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
11-16: VAN - PTD QB Kevin Westwood -> RB Nikki Yang
4th Q
11-22: PRO - PTD QB Red King -> WR Justin Palmer
11-25: PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
18-25: VAN - PTD QB Kevin Westwood -> WR Keshawn Johnston
18-32: PRO - DTD DB Neville Falkner




Injury Report
PRO: WR Owen Paisley - Day-to-Day
VAN: RB Jeremiah Morrow - 2 Weeks

McCallister Cup MVP


DL Bartolo Cruz - 3 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 6 Tackles
Cruz was a thorn in QB Kevin Westwood's side throughout the game. His constant pressure was a key to Providence's success in this game.

Other Notes: QB Red King made some history, becoming the youngest QB (24) to win the McCallister previously held by QB Lyle Painter who was 25 when he won in 1958. King also set a mark by winning all 13 starts he made this season, the only QB to have that many starts and remain perfect in a season. 

1972 McCallister Cup Champions




1972 Season Recap

Slapshot Kirby wrote:

Congratulations, Gold Stars! Your patience for your first McCallister Cup as a member of the NAAF has finally paid off! Also, I apologize if this has already been mentioned, but where did the Gold Stars’ name come from again?

It is all good I don't know that I ever officially dropped the reason. It is simply from the state flag of Rhode Island. 

The logo then also comes from the flag, with the anchor and 3 gold stars. The gold stars on the flag represent that Rhode Island was the 13th state, so to symbolize that the current logo had 3 stars for the team's 3 championships. The same reason there are 3 starts on the front helmet stripe.

1972 Awards

Most Outstanding Player
RB Max Tracy - Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
It was a close vote between Tracy and Braddock, but by 2 points Tracy earned his 2nd Most Outstanding Player Award. He previously won the award in 1968 with the Toronto Steelheads. Tracy joins the crew of 2-time winners (RB Élisée Marchal, QB Jean Matieau, QB Riley Kiernan, LB Scotty Williams, QB Charles Lemieux, and QB Louis Vaughn), but also becomes the 2nd RB ever to win multiple MOP awards. Another amazing season is awarded as Tracy continues to establish himself as one of the best running backs in NAAF history.

Playoff Most Outstanding Player
DL Bartolo Cruz - Providence Gold Stars
Both DB Neville Falkner and QB Kevin Westwood had cases for Playoff MOP, but Cruz’s performance in the McCallister Cup, plus another great game in the Quarter-Finals earns him the award. Despite this being Providence’s first McCallister Cup win, Cruz is the 2nd Gold Star to win the award with QB Connor O’Rourke winning it in 1963.

Offensive Player of the Year
QB Nathaniel Braddock - Boston Independents
Braddock came close to his ever-elusive 1st MOP award, but as a consolation, he did earn his 3rd Offensive Player of the Year award. While he wasn’t at the top of the leaderboard in stats, he was the most efficient passer with a high completion percentage and a great TD-INT ratio. Braddock is the first player to win the award 3 times. Having many great seasons in his career despite not quite earning that MOP award. 

Defensive Player of the Year
DB Sergio Alvarez - Ottawa Royals
Alvarez’s 11 interceptions net him DPOY, becoming the 2nd Royal to win the award next to teammate DL Bernhard Hartmann. Alvarez is only the 4th DB to win the award, joining Lee Wolfe (3x), Alexander Bradley, and Neville Falkner (3x). 

Special Teams Player of the Year
K Ira Foster - Ottawa Royals
Foster was finally able to earn an STPOY award in his 15th Season at 37 years old. He would lead the league in kicking points by 9 points, securing the award on the final week of the season, scoring 5 field goals. A great year for the kicker, finally earning some recognition. 

Offensive Lineman of the Year
OL Erik Nelson - Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
Nelson wins his 2nd consecutive OLOY, leaving only the OPOY award as the only one (that it is possible) to have back-to-back winners. Nelson’s great season did help RB Max Tracy take home the MOP award, another assist for the league's top O-lineman.

Coach of the Year
Tommie Warner - Providence Gold Stars
Warner has turned the Gold Stars right around in just 3 seasons. Taking them from a difficult situation coming out of losing QB Connor O’Rourke to retirement and DB Neville Falkner to Free Agency, and turning them into a consistent contender. He earns his first win of the award, after being a finalist in each of the last 2 seasons. The cherry on top for Warner after leading the Gold Stars to their first championship in 31 years. 

Rookie of the Year
LB Yuri Dragunov - Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
Dragunov takes home Rookie of the Year, winning the vote by a large margin. Dragunov was the one rookie who looked like he had already reached an elite level in his first season in the league. He contributed massively to the Blacksmiths’ defence this season and looks to be an elite piece moving forward. Dragunov is the 2nd Blacksmith to win the award, following behind DL Arthur Bradshaw who won in 1968.

Breakout Player of the Year
RB Jeremy Royal - London Tigers
Royal finally had the breakout season that many were hoping he would have. He flashed elite rushing talent for the first time in his career, showing that he can be not only the Tigers’ franchise back, but also one of the best in the league moving forward. Royal is the first Tiger to ever win the Breakout Player of the Year award. 

1972 All-Star Teams

West Division All-Stars
QB Kevin Westwood - VAN (3)
RB Tyler Kuhn - MIN (2)
OL Elias McCarren - MIN (4)
OL Charles Creighton - EDM (3)
OL David Brewington - VAN (2)
OL Charles Schwartz - CGY (2)
OL Claude Balderson - WPG (2)
WR Sebastian Dassler - MIN (3)
WR Keshawn Johnston - VAN (3)
WR Ted Jackson - CGY (1)
TE Johnny Temple - VAN (3)
DL Damian Battles - CGY (3)
DL Caleb Cologne - EDM (1)
DL Albert Sullivan - MIN (3)
DL Derick Parks - REG (1)
LB Claude Clarke - WPG (3)
LB Frank St. John - EDM (1)
LB Shawn Anderson - VAN (1)
DB Austin Sherebernikoff - MIN (2)
DB Madison McGee - REG (1)
S Gérard LaCroix - MIN (2)
S Vernon Redgate - WPG (2)
K Ray Bough - MIN (1)

Central Division All-Stars
QB Charles Lemieux - BUF (5)
RB Max Tracy - PIT (4)
OL Artem Sobakov - BUF (3)
OL Shane Willis - LDN (1)
OL Jean Baptiste Francois - PIT (3)
OL Gordie Hammarstein - LOU (2)
OL Erik Nelson - PIT (6)
WR Casey Coleman - LOU (5)
WR Tracy Driscoll - BUF (3)
WR Lloyd Lane - LDN (2)
TE Rex Williamson - LOU (2)
DL Arthur Bradshaw - PIT (4)
DL Aaron Henderson - LOU (4)
DL Eugene Case - IND (2)
DL Haakon Leichenberg - TOR (1)
LB Everett Lynch - LDN (1)
LB Lincoln Webster - TOR (1)
LB Reuben James - LDN (2)
DB Zed McLaughlin - PIT (4)
DB Dwayne James - TOR (1)
S Charles Clerk - TOR (4)
S Gene Aranda - IND (1)
K Ryan Perch - BUF (3)

East Division All-Stars
QB Nathaniel Braddock - BOS (7)
RB Tresean Jones - PRO (1)
OL Carlton Vanderbilt - BOS (2)
OL Tommy Reynolds - OTT (2)
OL Joseph Samberg - PRO (3)
OL Elliot Barrett - MTL (4)
OL Kane Warwick - HFX (4)
WR Al Allmendinger - BOS (1)
WR Antonio Villanueva - MTL (1)
WR Larry Mossholder - LI (1)
TE Eric Peterson - LI (1)
DL Bernhard Hartmann - OTT (3)
DL Johnathan Ellison - LI (2)
DL Bartolo Cruz - PRO (4)
DL Newton Dalton - PRO (3)
LB Kurt Warlock - PRO (4)
LB Byron Turner - BOS (5)
LB Jean-Christophe Bain - MTL (1)
DB Sergio Alvarez - OTT (5)
DB Lamar Brown - MTL (3)
S Ernie Osborne - BOS (2)
S Marc Bellecourt - OTT (4)
K Ira Foster - OTT (3)

Last edited by Wallflower (8/07/2024 5:57 pm)

Would Wilmington, Delaware work for a franchise? I know it would be the smallest city in the league by far, but it’s not far from two large metros (Philadelphia and Baltimore) and could possibly help the NAAF compete in the Mid-Atlantic.

Id love to see Omaha join with Kansas City, feel like it would be in good company as a built in regional rivalry. 

As for a SLC team, I think it could work. Id name them the Whales, after a fun local legend I know of.