Welcome to the awards vote!
This year I have changed a few things, but voting will happen for all categories except special teams. I have provided 3 nominees for each award with an additional for the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards. The reason for the additional is a rule I have where the OPOY or DPOY cannot be won by the MVP. So, I want all the MVP noms to also have a chance if they are nominated to win the OPOY or DPOY if they do not get MVP.
Also, keep in mind, all the awards are measured during the regular season, playoffs should not be a major factor in the award process. I will keep the poll open for a day or 2 and then announce the winners and host not long after. Then, we can get to scouting and some other things for the offseason.
MVP
QB Angelo Medina - Buffalo Blue Wings
Medina made his mark this season with a comeback season for the ages. After starting 0-3, Medina was able to get the Blue Wings off the ground in the second half of the season leading them to a playoff spot. During the season he threw for 13 touchdowns, which was the third in the league behind Jean Matieau and Bruce Woodard. He also has great ability on the ground leading all QB’s with 3 rushing touchdowns. While his stats may not be as flashy overall, how he performed overall cannot be looked over.
QB Jean Matieau - Ottawa Royals
In his first season starting, Jean Matieau brought Ottawa their best season since joining the NAAF. With the plethora of weapons on offense, Matieau was able to set the record for most TD passes in a season with 30. He did this all while only playing 9 games, sitting out week 10 for rest having clinched the playoffs. Matiaeu also came into this season having not been a starter and he was able to skyrocket to the top and take Ottawa with him.
DB Lee Wolfe - Providence Gold Stars
Wolfe was the top defender this season. Over the past years, he has been in the conversation alongside LB Quinton Brewer for MVP nominations. This season, it was clear Wolfe had taken another step. He would lead the league with 9 interceptions continuing to cause major problems for QB’s across the league. Another stat Wolfe led in was Knockdowns, being the most difficult player to pass against. With Wolfe’s leadership, the Gold Stars had the top-rated defense in the league. For the next two awards, you will vote your top two choices, so you can vote for the MVP choice as well in this case.
Offensive Player of the Year
QB Angelo Medina BUF - 13 Passing Touchdowns (3rd), 3 Rushing Touchdowns
QB Jean Matieau OTT - 30 Passing Touchdowns (1st)
WR Allen Atkins OTT - 17 Receiving Touchdowns (1st)
Atkins has been the second choice for the award in every season so far and he continues to put up unreal stats at the receiving position. He had 4 more touchdowns than the next best receiver.
RB Laurent Brazeau TOR - 23 Rushing Touchdowns (1st)
Brazeau becomes the first RB not named Marchal to lead the league in rushing touchdowns. He looks to win his second straight OPOY award.
RB Élisée Marchal MTL - 20 Rushing Touchdowns (2nd)
Marchal had a down year in comparison to the last 3 MVP titles, but he still managed to put up 20 touchdowns which is still not an easy thing to do.
Defensive Player of the Year
DB Lee Wolfe PRO - 9 Interceptions (1st) - Led the league in Knockdowns
DB Oscar Patterson BUF - 4 Interceptions (3rd), 1 Touchdown
Patterson was a major factor in helping Buffalo out of the 0-3 hole. He is an older player but still managed 4 interceptions to fall in behind the top two
DL Sean Bowen HAR - Led the league in Sacks
Bowen was the only bright spot for the Hawks this season, and he was a force. A major factor in the team’s surprise wins over Buffalo and Toronto.
DB Victor Bean PRO - 8 Interceptions (2nd)
Bean will likely be overshadowed by his teammate, but he was only 1 interception behind Wolfe this season.
Rookie of the Year
RB Alexei Volkov OTT - 8 Rushing Touchdowns (5th in the league)
Volkov proved to be a great pick by the Royals this season, scoring 8 touchdowns which is the most for a Royals RB since joining the NAAF.
QB Riley Kiernan WOR - 5 Passing Touchdowns (T-4th) 1 Rushing Touchdown
Kiernan had a strong first season considering the lack of true weapons in Worcester. He was able to get two wins this season and could be an outstanding QB in the near future.
LB Scotty Williams WOR - Lead rookies in tackles and was 3rd in the league
The number 1 pick was a huge factor for the Athletics this season. Williams had the most outstanding year overall among rookies, being near the top of the league in several categories.
Coach of the Year
Peter McDuffin BOS - Record: 7-3
In his final season, McDuffin was able to still get Boston to the top of the division and at a strong 7-3 record. Considering Boston took some steps backward in skill this season, it was a great performance by their coach
Bobby Hooper BUF - Record: 6-4
Hooper will definitely be a strong candidate due to the second half of the Blue Wings season. Hooper started 0-3 again but was able to recover lead Buffalo to a 6-1 record the rest of the way
Otis Ward OTT - Record: 7-3
Ward has been a longtime coach as well, but he really showed his ability to build an offense and develop a quarterback. With Matieau’s breakout season and the 5 straight wins between weeks 5 and 9, it's clear Ward is one of the top coaches in the league.
Breakout Player of the Year - The new award honours players who are not rookies, who had significantly greater seasons than in the past
QB Jean Matieau OTT - 30 Passing Touchdowns (1st in the league)
Matieau will be talked about for a while and with his MVP nomination, its pretty clear his first season under center was a huge success
DB Victor Bean PRO - 8 Interceptions (2nd in the league)
Bean may become overshadowed again, but he had only a few interceptions before this season. Finishing with 8 was huge for the young DB.
WR Wilbert Benjamin TOR - 4 Receiving Touchdowns
Benjamin was able to break free a bit this season with Duane Logan arriving in town. While his stats won’t look outstanding, he was a bigger factor on the field and is only getting better.
1953 McCallister Cup Host
Since the McCallister Cup has been in Montreal or Buffalo over the past 3 seasons, the league wants the 35th championship to return to the New England area. That brings forward 3 possible host cities.
Richardson Stadium - Boston, MA - Capacity: 45,265
While Richardson Stadium has been a host of the McCallister Cup many times due to Boston’s success, it would still make a great venue for a neutral site game. Richardson stands as the 3rd largest venue in the league behind Providence and Montreal and has the capabilities of expanding in some areas. The historic building has seen many champions in its past, and to be a place to crown new champions would continue the legacy.
New Providence Stadium - Providence, RI - Capacity: 65,450
Providence was the runner up in last year’s vote and is back again with a strong proposal. The largest stadium in the league would be able to hold a large fanbase which filled up the Buffalo stadium at the 34th championship. Their new stadium has yet to host a playoff game or a championship, and the city hasn’t hosted the final since 1941 when the Gold Stars beat the then Hartford Maroons 20-3 for their 3rd title.
Worcester Stadium - Worcester, MA - Capacity: 38,600
Worcester Stadium will open up for the first time this fall as the Athletics make their transition from the old grandstands to the full stadium. The new building is not the largest by any means with around the same capacity as Buffalo Civic Stadium. However, the venue is brand new and would be a great place to host a championship game and show off the new architecture.
MVP - QB Jean Matieau - Ottawa Royals
It was a close vote but winning narrowly is Ottawa Royals QB Jean Matieau. He will become just the second player to win the award after an excellent first season. Angelo Medina was not far behind the Royals QB, but it was clear that Matieau’s record-breaking season could not be overlooked.
Offensive Player of the Year - QB Angelo Medina - Buffalo Blue Wings
Considering the other high stats that were accumulated by other nominees like Brazeau and Atkins, it was a bit surprising to see Medina as high up as he was. You still can’t deny Medina’s ability to lead the Blue Wings from the basement to the top this season after a rough start.
Defensive Player of the Year - DB Lee Wolfe - Providence Gold Stars
Wolfe takes home his second DPOY award after falling short behind LB Quinton Brewer the previous two seasons. Wolfe was a top tier defensive player and remains a dominant force year-in-year-out.
Special Teams Player of the Year - K Thomas McFadden - Hartford Hawks
Once again McFadden dominated the score sheet for the Hawks this season. He put up a league-leading 20 field goals worth 60 of Harfords 102 total points, en route to his 3rd STPOY award in 4 seasons.
Rookie of the Year - LB Scotty Williams - Worcester Athletics
The vote ended in a tie between Williams and Volkov, but in the end Williams will take home the award. The 1st overall pick had the best season of all rookies at the overall level. Expect the young LB to be a force for years to come.
Coach of the Year - Bobby Hooper - Buffalo Blue Wings
Once again a very close battle between Hooper and Ward this season, but it came down to the comeback season led by the Blue Wings coach that wins out in this award.
Breakout Player of the Year - QB Jean Matieau - Ottawa Royals
Easily the most decisive of the awards, Matieau takes home his second award of the season. His debut season under center will be remembered for a long time, especially Royals fans.
1952 McCallister Cup Host
McCallister Cup Host - New Providence Stadium - Providence, RI
Just one year ago, Providence fell just 1 vote behind Buffalo for the right to host the championship game, and this year they will claim that honour. New Providence Stadium will be the largest venue the championship will have been played in and CBS will be on location to cover the game nationally.
1952 NAAF All-Stars
All-Stars were released as well featuring only a few newcomers this season.
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