joho42x wrote:

Can we relocate the Hawks again? Or better yet, fold the team altogether? Because after that 0-10 flop of a season, and the fact they've never made the playoffs once throughout their entire history in the NAAF, might as well stick a fork in this team. They're done!

Little harsh don't ya think?
I mean the Tigers went 0-8 in '49 and they are still around, as well both Tigers and Athletics have never made a playoff appearance, this year being the closest either team has come.
Also, they spent 1 season in Long Island, a turn around isn't going to immediately happen, nor can you blame Long Island for a lack of success. A lot of issues stem from mismanagement from the Hartford days. 

1954 - 36th McCallister Cup

Boston Independents VS. Ottawa Royals - Lansdowne Park - October 3, 1954 - 6 PM ET - CBS/CBC
Before the game it was announced that Ottawa’s new stadium would be finished and ready to go for the start of the 1955 season and so this game would be the final one at Lansdowne Park. Both teams piled onto Lansdowne Park for one final time as kickoff inched closer. They were ready to play a game that marked the end of the early era of the NAAF. 
1ST Q
The Independents would take the ball first in hopes of getting ahead of the Royals early. QB Larry Larson and the offense would not get very far with the Royals forcing them to punt after just one first down. QB Jean Matieau would take over for the Royals and have a similar lack of success. The game was a bit slow to start with both teams playing tight defensively. However, the silence would be broken with 2 minutes to go in the opening quarter. Around the Boston 45 yard line, Larson would drop back and would wait for WR Samuel Floyd to break towards the outside. Once he did, Larson hit him with a perfect pass that would send the speedy WR up the sidelines into the open field. No one came close to catching him and the Independents took a 7-0 lead. 
2ND Q
The fans were a lot quieter after the Floyd touchdown and the Royals looked a bit shaken. Matieau would throw an interception in the quarter to DB Francis Veillette which would set up a Boston field goal to make it 10-0. The Royals' offense would turn to RB Alexei Volkov to get the ball moving and he had a bit of success setting up a field goal to cut into the Boston lead. The Independents would continue to hold control over the game for the most part and would get another field goal. Larson was playing some of his best football in a while and Boston was all for it. Matieau on the other hand was dealing with more pressure even after getting over the hurdle last week. Once again it was his receivers that would help him out of the funk. WR Eugene Burns would get open for a quick 14-yard catch which would start to get the offense moving. Matieau would make a couple more passes before WR Allen Atkins would make a short catch and turn it upfield for a 22-yard touchdown to make it 13-10.
3RD Q
The third would spark a change of momentum for the game. The Royals late first-half touchdown brought a wave of confidence to the entire team. Matieau would lead them down the field once again and would find WR Eugene Burns for a touchdown to take their first lead of the game. Their defense would also pitch in a few drives later with a fumble recovery via LB Leo Davenport. The crowd came alive quickly and it became harder for the Independents to get things going under the noise. The Boston offense was only able to get 2 first downs in the quarter as Ottawa extended their lead to 13-20 as the third was winding down.
4TH Q
The Royals were ahead, the crowd was going nuts, but none of that would stop the greatest QB of all time from making a difference. Despite all the odds, you can never count Boston out. Larson would get the Independents rolling once again in the fourth. Throwing with confidence and determination. They would march the whole field and get to within striking range. Boston would go with the handoff to RB Joel Bonner at the 7 yard-line, but the Royals would manage to stop him after only 2 yards. Larson called a second play to Bonner but made a quick switch after seeing the Royals defense. While only Bonner and WR Ethan Walters knew that the play was changing based on the noise and the signal Larson could use. He would fake the handoff to Bonner and with the rest of the Boston offense committed to the run, the Royals fell for it and Walters was left wide open for the game-tying touchdown. The crowd quickly became nervous once again. The Royals needed to get something in order to save the game. Matieau would not get anything after failing to complete back-to-back passes on their first two plays back on the field. The Royals were forced to punt and the Independents took over. Larson would lead the Independents' offense back out and once again he would methodically lead them down the field. Another chance for Boston to score and Bonner would be stopped again on first down, but then second Bonner would be stopped again forcing a field goal. K Johnnie Berg would put it through for the lead with 1:21 seconds remaining. 
QB Jean Matieau had to get the Royals down the field. WR Allen Atkins would stop Matieau for a second and said something to Matieau. The players paused for a second and then took the field. The QB would get Ottawa moving. Play after play. Perfect pass after perfect pass, but Boston would eventually stall the Royals. Setting up a third down with 37 seconds left. Matieau would step back to throw. He would escape some pressure before tossing it 24 yards down the field to find WR Allen Atkins. DB Francis Veillette would go for the catch himself but Atkins would make the catch over him leaving nothing but open grass in front of Atkins. The WR would run down the sideline with Veillette out of position, but as he approached the endzone S Michael O’Brien got a hand on him. Atkins would keep going forward not giving up and would lunge for the goal line. The ball would land on the goalline before Atkins fully hit the ground but there was a pause as the crowd waited for a signal. The ref’s arms went straight up and the Royals had the lead. 
Larson would get one final chance to get back the score, but time would run thin. On the final play of the game, Larson would give it one last throw down the field. The ball would not be completed in the crowd of players and the Royals would hold on for their first McCallister Cup.

Following the final whistle, the crowd roared. The Royals celebrated the long-awaited title. But a moment at midfield would be one to remember with Matieau and Larson having a conversation as one QB that defined a generation of football congratulated a QB that will likely define the next generation. Following a hug, Larson would take Matieau’s arm and raise it boxing style to congratulate the QB. A great moment that will be remembered for a long time. As for the moment before Atkins and Matieau entered the field for the game-winning drive, we would find out that both players just took a moment to breathe and remember to leave everything on the field. They both did just that. 

McCallister Cup MVP

WR Allen Atkins OTT - 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 121 Receiving Yards

1954 Champions



1954 Season Recap

Last edited by Wallflower (6/22/2020 5:03 pm)

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS MY FRIEND!
AND WE’LL KEEP ON FIGHTING TO THE END!
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!
NO TIME FOR LOSERS
CAUSE WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!
Of the world!!!

Enjoy the time in the spotlight, Ottawa

1954 NAAF Award Nominations 

MVP
DL Sean Bowen BUF
The leader in many defensive categories this season, Bowen was a force in his first season with the Blue Wings. While he missed a game this season he still led in Sacks and Forced Fumbles. Bowen’s presence helped Buffalo to their first division title in the NAAF.  

RB Élisée Marchal MTL
Looking for his 4th MVP, Marchal once again was the centerpiece of the Rouge offense. Leading the league in Rushing Touchdowns with 18 for the 5th time in league history and the second year in a row. Marchal is the best player in Montreal and continues to help lift the team into the playoffs and keep them in the hunt year after year.  

WR Allen Atkins OTT
While Matieau will be looked at as a major part of the Royals' success this season, Atkins’ place on the team was shown its importance when the WR was out for a couple of games this season. In those games, Ottawa struggled and lost both, however with Atkins, they were a tough group to stop. Atkins also still tied for the league lead in Receiving Touchdowns despite missing the two games. Atkins has been overshadowed so much in his career despite being one of the most consistent players in the league. 

Offensive Player of the Year
RB Élisée Marchal MTL - 18 Rushing Touchdowns (1st), Led in Rushing Yards, 1 POTW
QB Jean Matieau OTT - 26 Passing Touchdowns (1st), Led in Passing Yards, 2 POTW
Matieau was still a force on the field leading the league in passing TDs and Yards
WR Allen Atkins OTT - 13 Receiving Touchdowns (T-1st), 1st in Receiving Yards
QB Riley Kiernan WOR - 23 Passing Touchdowns (2nd), 2nd in Passing Yards
Kiernan had a breakthrough season after only throwing 7 TDs last season he spiked to 23 this season. 

Defensive Player of the Year
DL Sean Bowen BUF - 5 Forced Fumbles (1st), 14 Sacks (1st), 1 POTW
LB Aengus Lynch ON - 4 Forced Fumbles (2nd), Led the league in Tackles, 1 POTW
Lynch came into his own as a true centerpiece for the Tigers this season and was a major factor on defense this season.
DL Olaf Viktorsson OTT - 3 Forced Fumbles (3rd), 9 Sacks (2nd), 1 POTW
Viktorsson was a star on Ottawa’s defense this season in only his second season in the league. Overall a force on the line and many expect the 2nd round pick to continue the upward climb.
DB Alexander Bradley WOR - 6 Interceptions (1st), 2nd in the league in Knockdowns, 1 POTW
Bradley took over the game at times during his rookie season. Being the first guy not named Lee Wolfe to lead the way in interceptions in a long time. Bradley has earned much respect in his first year. 

Special Teams Player of the Year
K Johnnie Berg BOS - 19 Field Goals (2nd), 21 Extra Points (4th)
Berg’s first year as the starting kicker in Boston was a successful one. Finishing second in field goals and keeping pace in extras made.
K Donald Brewer BUF - 22 Field Goals (1st), 24 Extra Points (3rd)
Brewer struggled early in his career in Buffalo, and many were waiting for Buffalo to move on from him, but they stuck it out and he has now topped the league in field goals and finished 3rd in extras.
K Bernard Barnett PRO - 16 Field Goals (3rd), 19 Extra Points (5th)
Barnett kept Providence in several games this season and was his usual self putting up 16 field goals.  

Rookie of the Year
WR Darrel Duke LI - 3 Receiving Touchdowns
Duke didn’t have a spectacular season but still managed to get into the endzone a few times on a very rough Hawks team. 
DL Vernon Spears LI - 1st in tackles (Rookies)
Spears didn’t get much spotlight, but he still played well on the line for the Hawks and led in tackles among rookies in his first season.
DB Alexander Bradley - 6 Interceptions (1st), 2nd in Knockdowns, 1 POTW
Bradley was easily the most dominant of rookies this season and made an impact at the top of the league.  

Coach of the Year
Bobby Hooper BUF - Record: 7-2-1
After being robbed of the playoffs last season Hooper helped get his team back to the top this season with their first 7 win season in the NAAF.
Lewis Gallegos ON - Record: 5-5
In his first season at the helm in Kitchener, Gallegos was able to get the Tigers the closest they have been to the playoffs, and the team is excited for what he can bring for the next few years.
Emil Riddle WOR - Record: 5-5
After a combined 5 wins over their first 3 seasons, the Athletics brought Riddle on board, and quickly the coach turned the team into a competitive force that was also inches from their first playoff berth. 

Breakout Player of the Year
DL Olaf Viktorsson OTT - 3 Forced Fumbles (3rd), 9 Sacks (2nd), 1 POTW
Viktorsson, as mentioned before, was a force for Ottawa, and going into his third season, expect him to only get better.
QB Riley Kiernan WOR - 23 Passing Touchdowns (2nd), 2nd in Passing Yards
Kiernan’s third season showed that he was going to be a staple in the league for a long time as one of the best QB’s. Riddle helped Kiernan boost his confidence and get the Athletics moving forward.
WR Christian Venegas WOR - 13 Receiving Touchdowns (T-1st), 4th Receiving Yards
Venegas will likely be overshadowed by his QB, but you can’t deny the third-round pick has been a huge steal. Venegas was able to tie the league lead in Receiving Touchdowns with Atkins and was right in the mix for the Receiving yards leader.

1955 McCallister Cup Host

Richardson Stadium - Boston, MA - Capacity: 45,265
Once again the legendary stadium makes another bid to host the big game. The same argument applies from the last two seasons, the storied stadium has hosted many games and to see a neutral site game here could be special for the teams involved. 

Long Island Stadium - Hempstead, NY - Capacity: 40,450
With the opportunity to grow the sport around the Long Island area, it would be a hard miss if the league passes upon bringing the championship to the Island. The league’s 4th largest stadium would bring a great atmosphere and the city might be perfect to host extra festivities. 

Worcester Stadium - Worcester, MA - Capacity: 38,600
Worcester Stadium makes its third bid and is hoping to stake a claim at the hosting duties for their 2-year-old stadium. A pretty central location, especially for the New England teams, and once again would help to grow the sport in a weaker market. 

Long Island Rebrand
It was rumoured that the team would get an overall this offseason and Owner/GM Wayne Tillman has confirmed that it would be happening this season but wanted feedback from the fanbase to see what direction they would take the team. They can vote to have the team stay as the Hawks, return to the Raiders, or suggest a possible new name. The "Hawks" name would maintain the new team’s identity and would continue to establish the brand in the city, however, a transition away may not be a bad idea with the lack of success that has come with the name. “Raiders” has been a long time name of the Long Island team and many fans will likely be more attracted to a familiar face in the city. A new option may remake the team altogether with some excitement but still might not grab the same fanbase as the Raiders or those tied to the Hawks.  

*Expect a bit of a delay on some of the offseason, just dealing with a lot of things at the moment, but I'll try to get stuff out when I can. Thanks for all the support once again everyone!*

VOTE HERE

Last edited by Wallflower (6/25/2020 2:28 pm)