It's been 5 years...

That's right, Happy NAAF-iversary! 

Just realized it has been 5 years since I started this big (borderline insane sometimes) project. I thought I would say thank you to everyone for enjoying the project, whether you comment regularly and submit prospects, or just following along quietly, I appreciate you all. The NAAF has been my favourite hobby for the past 5 years, and the train will keep rolling (albeit a little slower...). 

Also for the whole community here, you all are great, I appreciate you all, especially those I have gotten to know well.

I'll be taking a couple more days off after a stressful few weeks, but I should be back with Week 7 sometime early next week and then on with the rest of the 1973 season.

1973 Week 7

Roster Moves
BOS: DL Joseph Kerr | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
BOS: DL Greg Cox | Active Roster -> Reserve List
HFX: S Derrick Focht | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
HFX: DB Jack Holly | Reserve List -> Active Roster
IND: S Geno Aranda | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
IND: DB Alexandre Gagnon | Reserve List -> Active Roster
IND: S Derrick Fayden | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
IND: S Thomas Lofton | Reserve List -> Active Roster
MIN: OL Jordan Bryson | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
MIN: OL Fernand Nielson | Reserve List -> Active Roster
MTL: TE Sylvain Leblanc | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
MTL: TE Greg Perry | Reserve List -> Active Roster
MTL: DL Alan Franjkovic | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
MTL: DL Stewart DuBoeuf | Reserve List -> Active Roster
OTT: WR Charles Toothacre | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
OTT: WR Valentine Botwright | Reserve List -> Active Roster
PIT: OL Harrison Russell | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
PIT: OL Kendrick Holcombe | Reserve List -> Active Roster
PRO: OL Louie DeBois | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
PRO: OL Danny Nyce | Reserve List -> Active Roster
PRO: S Tony Bentley | Waivers -> Reserve List
WPG: OL Ian Yager | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
WPG: OL Kurt Klitsome | Reserve List -> Active Roster

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Edmonton Rangers - 24 @ Indiana Victors - 31 - Victory Stadium - Thursday, August 2, 1973 - 7:00 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Attendance: 36,659
1st Q
0-7: IND - RTD RB Daniel Collins
2nd Q
7-7: EDM - PTD QB Mike Key -> WR Raymond Jefferson
7-14: IND - PTD QB Nathan Houle -> WR Jake Abbredezzi
3rd Q
10-14: EDM - FG K Nigel Stewart
17-14: EDM - RTD RB Vincent Marsden II
24-14: EDM - PTD QB Mike Key -> WR Elliot Gold
24-21: IND - RTD RB Ronnie Byers
4th Q
24-24: IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
24-31: IND - RTD RB Daniel Collins

The Victors gave the underwhelming attendance for Thursday Night Football a night to remember with a come-from-behind win over the Rangers.
Indiana controlled the first half, taking a 7-14 lead into halftime, however, Edmonton piled it on the 3rd, scoring 17 consecutive points and took a 10-point lead. Luckily for Indiana, RB Ronnie Byers provided a jolt, taking the ball 68 yards down the field for a touchdown. The Victors didn’t look back, ultimately answering Edmonton’s 17 points with their own 17 points to secure their 2nd win of the season.

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Toronto Steelheads - 15 @ Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 22 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - Friday, August 2, 1973 - 7:00 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Attendance: 48,239
1st Q
0-3: PIT - FG K Dante DiBernardo
0-4: PIT - Single K Dante DiBernardo
3-4: TOR - FG K Frank Hughes
2nd Q
3-7: PIT - FG K Dante DiBernardo
3-14: PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
6-14: TOR - FG K Frank Hughes
3rd Q
9-14: TOR - FG K Frank Hughes
4th Q
15-14: TOR - RTD RB Shannon West
15-20: PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> TE Jesse Butler
15-22: PIT - 2PT RB Max Tracy

In the rematch from last week, the Blacksmiths would capture their 2nd straight win over the Steelheads to pull themselves back into the playoff conversation.
Pittsburgh continued with how they played last week, taking a solid lead in the 2nd, but Toronto managed to come back and take a 1-point lead in the 4th. Pittsburgh would get the last laugh with QB Louis Vaughn leading a late touchdown drive to give them the lead. 
Toronto slips below .500 for the first time this season, as the offence has started to sputter over the past couple of weeks behind QB Ryan Alexander. 

Providence Gold Stars - 37 @ Halifax Mariners - 11 - Atlantic Stadium - Saturday, August 4, 1973 - 12:00 PM ET/1:00 PM AT - Weather: Cloudy - Attendance: 22,946
1st Q
0-1: HFX - Single K Albert Wickerweaver
7-1: PRO - RTD RB Bob Sanders
10-1: PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
17-1: PRO - RTD QB Gilles Doucet
2nd Q
24-1: PRO - PTD QB Red King -> WR Colby Bancana
24-8: HFX - PTD QB Todd Sparrow -> WR Shane Steadman
3rd Q
27-8: PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
27-11: HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
34-11: PRO - RTD RB Tresean Jones
4th Q
37-11: PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill

The Gold Stars kept pace in the increasingly competitive East Division, crushing the Mariners on the road.
QB Red King had the offence rolling consistently all game, making it look effortless. The Gold Stars also employed QB Gilles Doucet more in short-yardage situations, including at the goal line to get a touchdown. The defence was also dominant, forcing 4 turnovers, including 2 interceptions.
Halifax stumbles to a 2nd straight tough loss, with the offence looking a little out of sorts. QB Todd Sparrow did make a great throw to WR Shane Steadman for a touchdown, but that was the only bright spot all day.

Long Island Raiders - 26 @ Ottawa Royals - 14 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - Saturday, August 4, 1973 - 12:00 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Attendance: 45,050
1st Q
3-0: LI - FG K Vic Greatwood
3-3: OTT - FG K Ira Foster
10-3: LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Frank Drysdale
2nd Q
10-6: OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3rd Q
13-6: LI - FG K Vic Greatwood
16-6: LI - FG K Vic Greatwood
23-6: LI - RTD RB Scott Norton
4th Q
23-13: OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> TE Luiss de Brands
23-14: OTT - Single K Ira Foster
26-14: LI - FG K Vic Greatwood

The Raiders pulled off a massive win against the Royals to thrust themselves back into a shot at the East Division title.
QB Ivan Sanchez and HC Levi Bray pulled off a great game plan to attack the great Royals’ defence. Sanchez in particular continued to show that he’s improved a lot over the last season, limiting his turnovers while still producing excellent offensive output.
Ottawa’s offence, on the other hand, struggled all day with the Raiders’ defence holding them to just 6 points until the 4th quarter. It’s the first time this season, Ottawa has shown some of their inconsistency from past seasons.

Calgary Predators - 25 @ Vancouver Wolves - 24 - Vancouver Exhibition Stadium - Saturday, August 4, 1973 - 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT - Weather: Mostly Cloudy - Attendance: 34,759
1st Q
0-7: VAN - PTD QB Kevin Westwood -> WR Tristian Lewis
7-7: CGY - RTD RB John Drexel
7-10: VAN - FG K Sterling Brooks
2nd Q
10-10: CGY - FG K Billy Eichelberger
10-17: VAN - RTD RB Jeremiah Morrow
3rd Q
13-17: CGY - FG K Billy Eichelberger
16-17: CGY - FG K Billy Eichelberger
4th Q
19-17: CGY - FG K Billy Eichelberger
19-24: VAN - PTD QB Kevin Westwood -> WR Keshawn Johnston
25-24: CGY - PTD QB Emmitt Jackson -> WR James Johnson

A late touchdown from WR James Johnson would help the Predators pull off an upset to hand the Wolves their first loss of the season. 
The two former WFU clubs would trade blows in the first half, leading to a 10-10 tie, but then a RB Jeremiah Morrow touchdown would give Vancouver the lead going into the break.
Calgary would roll out of halftime, scoring 3 consecutive field goals to regain the lead, while the defence managed to stall out the Wolves and even add a forced fumble from LB Junior Abbott. 
In the 4th, Vancouver would finally break through with WR Keshawn Johnston’s 3rd of the season, giving the West Division leaders a solid shot at another win. However, with an earlier injury to S Gunpei Koizumi, Vancouver’s secondary was exposed and speedy WR James Johnson would slip into open space and catch a 52-yard touchdown that would stand as the deciding score.

SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Louisville Thunder - 21 @ Minnesota Serpents - 31 - OT - Midgard Stadium - Saturday, August 4, 1973 - 7:00 PM ET/6:00 PM CT - Weather: Clear - Attendance: 49,309
1st Q
0-7: MIN - RTD RB Tyler Kuhn
0-14: MIN - PTD QB Martin Keller -> TE Xavier Francis Langford
2nd Q
7-14: LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
7-17: MIN - FG K Ray Bough
3rd Q
7-20: MIN - FG K Ray Bough
4th Q
14-20: LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
14-21: MIN - Single K Ray Bough
21-21: LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Stu Weidemann
OT
21-24: MIN - FG K Ray Bough
21-31: MIN - PTD QB Martin Keller -> WR Ferdinand Matthews

Minnesota would finally end their 3-game skid by ending Louisville’s 5-game win streak. 
QB Martin Keller would step up for the Serpents following some inconsistent play over the past couple of games, throwing a pair of touchdowns, including a late OT score to WR Ferdinand Matthews. The defence was also back to their usual ways, finding ways to shut down the Thunder’s prolific passing game. 
However, injuries to DB Chandler Gage and S Gérard LaCroix would leave the secondary weakened. Louisville was able to come back and tie the game late with 2 touchdowns in the 4th, including WR Stu Weidemann’s first career score.
Minnesota ultimately held on in overtime with a timely interception from DB Chris Berrymore that would set up the Matthews touchdown.

Boston Independents - 33 @ Winnipeg Falcons - 12 - Provencher Park - Sunday, August 5, 1973 - 1:00 PM ET/12:00 PM CT - Weather: Cloudy - Attendance: 21,570
1st Q
7-0: BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
14-0: BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Edward Webb
14-3: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth
2nd Q
17-3: BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
17-6: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth
3rd Q
24-6: BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Craig Nunnery
27-6: BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
4th Q
30-6: BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
30-12: WPG - PTD QB Mitchell Nash -> WR Juwan Sylvester
33-12: BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock

Boston powered through Winnipeg for their 3rd consecutive win, bringing them above .500 for the first time this season.
Boston jumped out to a quick 14-0 with the help of a DL Joseph Kerr forced fumble on QB Mitchell Nash. From then on, the game was in Boston’s control as they continued to add on points, eventually getting to a 30-6 lead. QB Holland Oates would get a chance to take some snaps in the 4th, only to take a bit of a hit, knocking him out of the game. QB Jace Beleren finished the game from there.
As for Winnipeg, it was yet another ugly showing with the defence being shredded and the offence not being able to produce. WR Juwan Sylvester would use his speed to find a way past the defence in the 4th, but that was the only bright spot. 

Buffalo Blue Wings - 22 @ London Tigers - 24 - Western Fair Stadium - Sunday, August 5, 1973 - 1:00 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Attendance: 28,433
1st Q
3-0: BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
6-0: BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
6-7: LDN - RTD RB Jeremy Royal
2nd Q
13-7: BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Owen Paisley
13-14: LDN - PTD QB Henry Johnsson -> WR Doug Nies
16-14: BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
3rd Q
16-21: LDN - PTD QB Henry Johnsson -> WR Julius Drake
4th Q
22-21: BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
22-24: LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth

The Tigers would complete their first season series sweep of the Blue Wings since 1962 with a 2-point win at home.
The two teams, who went to overtime last week, kept the game within one score all afternoon, with 6 points being the largest lead of the game. Buffalo still had a bit of an upper hand in the first half, taking a 2-point lead into the break. However, former Blue Wing, WR Julius Drake, would give the Tigers the lead back in the 3rd. 
WR Tracy Driscoll would score in the 4th to give Buffalo a late lead, but still with lots of time for the Tigers to answer. With Buffalo missing the 2-point attempt, the Tigers only needed a field goal to win, but they would be without QB Henry Johnsson, who was dealing with cramping. QB Tyrion Gainsborough would be the hero, still leading the game-winning drive, ending with a K Nimrod Handsworth field goal.

Regina Wheat Kings - 10 @ Montreal Rouge - 35 - Mount Royal Stadium - Sunday, August 5, 1973 - 4:30 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Attendance: 46,136
1st Q
0-1: MTL - Single K Buster McDooley
0-4: MTL - FG K Buster McDooley
0-11: MTL - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Taylor Karis
2nd Q
0-18: MTL - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Antonio Villaneuva
3rd Q
3-18: REG - FG K Mark Mundle
3-25: MTL - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Antonio Villanueva
3-28: MTL - FG K Buster McDooley
4th Q
3-35: MTL - RTD RB Bo Frazier
10-35: REG - RTD RB Deion Chapman

Montreal crushed the Wheat Kings at home, but a late hit would put Montreal’s season in jeopardy. 
For the first 2.5 quarters, the Rouge were all over the Wheat Kings, jumping out to a 3-25 lead on home field. However, midway through the 3rd, DL Butcher Callahan would lay QB Tom Applewhite out with a massive blindside hit. Applewhite’s helmet was knocked clean off as the QB looked dazed following the play. The crowd let Callahan have it after the play. Some fans tossed various items and food at the young D-lineman. Once everything settled, QB Martin Michaud finished the game for Montreal.
QB Whit Johnson did make his first career start for the Wheat Kings, in for the injured QB Stanley Evans, but he had a tough day against the good Rouge defence. 

Injury Report
BOS: QB Holland Oates - Minor Shoulder Injury - 1 Week
BOS: S Ernie Osborne - Tight Hamstring - Day-to-Day
CGY: DL Robert Westminster - Minor Bruise - Day-to-Day
EDM: RB Howie Bowman - Moderate Concussion - 3 Weeks
EDM: WR Spencer Hicks - Shoulder Separation - 5 Weeks
HFX: TE Brandon McPhail - Wrist Sprain - 1 Week
HFX: WR Dexter Lallemond - Minor Bruise - Day-to-Day
IND: TE Cole Slawter - Strained Hamstring - 3 Weeks
IND: LB Conrad Kurst - Strained Hamstring - 2 Weeks
LDN: QB Henry Johnsson - Cramping - Day-to-Day
LDN: TE Pete Mayfield - Shoulder Separation - 4 Weeks
LI: DB Ross Conroy - Shoulder Separation - 5 Weeks
LOU: LB Ricky Wildgoose - Tight Hamstring - Day-to-Day
LOU: LB Dylan Hill - Hand Injury - 1 Week
MIN: DB Chandler Gage - Hip Injury - 4 Weeks
MIN: S Gérard LaCroix - Strained Hamstring - 3 Weeks
MTL: DB Nick Butler - Hip Injury - 4 Weeks
MTL: QB Tom Applewhite - Moderate Concussion - 6 Weeks
MTL: OL Phil Ampertis - Mild Soreness - Day-to-Day
MTL: RB Dre Bell - Fractured Hand - 4 Weeks
OTT: OL Matt Helmut - Pectoral Strain - 3 Weeks
OTT: DB Jerome Caldwell - Mild Ligament Sprain - 6 Weeks
PIT: OL Jean Baptiste Francois - Minor Bruise - Day-to-Day
PIT: OL Kendrick Holcombe - Sprained Ankle - 1 Week
REG: DL Jesse Rivard - Tight Hamstring - Day-to-Day
REG: OL Chuck Coe - Sprained Ankle - 1 Week
REG: TE Knobby Silverton - Contusion - 1 Week
TOR: DL Haakon Leichenberg - Fractured Rib - 5 Weeks
TOR: DL Sam Reinkemeyer - Mild Soreness - Day-to-Day
VAN: DB Apollo Duckworth - Minor Bruise - Day-to-Day
VAN: S Gunpei Koizumi - Torn Muscle - 8 Weeks
WPG: DL Graham de Veres - Knee Swelling - 4 Weeks
WPG: DB Vern Nowitski - Mild Soreness - Day-to-Day

Players of the Week


OFF: WR Antonio Villanueva MTL - 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 145 Receiving Yards

DEF: DL Johnathan Ellison LI - 2 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 5 Tackles, 1 Pass Deflected

Standings
WEST
Vancouver - 6-1
Minnesota - 4-3
Edmonton - 3-4
Regina - 3-4
Calgary - 3-4
Winnipeg - 1-6

CENTRAL
Louisville - 5-2
London - 4-3
Pittsburgh - 3-4
Toronto - 3-4
Indiana - 2-5
Buffalo - 0-7

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

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

Week 8 Games
OTT (5-2) @ MIN (4-3) - AUG 10 - 7:00 PM ET - Friday Night Football
WPG (1-6) @ HFX (2-5) - AUG 11 - 12:00 PM ET
VAN (6-1) @ BOS (4-3) - AUG 11 - 3:30 PM ET
MTL (5-2) @ CGY (3-4) - AUG 11 - 7:00 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
EDM (3-4) @ LI (5-2) - AUG 12 - 1:00 PM ET 
PRO (5-2) @ REG (3-4) - AUG 12 - 4:30 PM ET
BYE: BUF (0-7), IND (2-5), LDN (4-3), LOU (5-2), PIT (3-4), TOR (3-4)

Slapshot Kirby wrote:

Glad to see the NAAF back! Too bad Ottawa lost and Pete Mayfield injured his shoulder.

Also, the Buffalo Blue Wings look more like the Buffalo Blow Wings so far this year, LOL. Any chance their head coach and/or general manager gets the boot during the regular season?

There's definitely a chance that changes could happen, as with any team at 0-7. That being said, might be a tough sell to fire either GM or HC. GM Casey York is in his first season in the position and probably deserves at least another season to properly shape the team as he visions it. Although you can make an argument that given this is the first poor season in a decade, York isn't completely blameless. As for HC Maurice Evanson, it might be even harder to just let go, since he has led the Blue Wings through their most successful era yet, having zero losing seasons in his first 9 years on the job which includes 4 McCallister Cups, 5 Division Titles, and a 84-41 record across regular season and playoffs. Not impossible that a change can happen, but given Buffalo's recent history a bigger change could be an overreaction.