North American Association of Football (Fictional History): 43rd McCallister Cup

43rd McCallister Cup

London Tigers VS. Boston Independents - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - October 1, 1961 - 6 PM ET - Weather: 16ºC | 62ºF

1st Q
The 43rd McCallister Cup got off to a slow start, however, the intensity was high. London’s offence was faced with a feisty Boston defence that was able to stop them on their first 2 drives of the game. Boston’s offence ran into a similar issue with the Tigers’ defence but was still able to open the scoring on their opening drive with a K Johnnie Berg field goal. On the Tigers’ third drive, they were able to get through the Boston defence. QB Riley Kiernan would lead the offence to their first touchdown of the day finding WR Max Sutton for a score to take the lead 7-3.
LDN 7-3 BOS

2nd Q
The second quarter was much the same with both defences bringing the pressure. This resulted in a couple of turnovers. RB Eric Sydney would cough up a fumble to LB Brent Harper giving Boston the football, but the Tigers would get it back with DB Jackson Miles taking it away from QB Nathaniel Braddock. Neither team got any points off of those turnovers, but they still came away with a field goal each to make it 10-6. As the half approached the Tigers were making their way down the field but Boston’s defence managed to force them to a 3rd and 12. The Tigers would go for the field goal, but K Nimrod Handsworth would be just off the mark. The ball sailed past the uprights and bounced out of the endzone for a single.
LDN 11-6 BOS

3rd Q
With the heavily defensive game in the first half, both teams made adjustments and the second half would bring the offence. Boston would get the first score of the second half, with RB Kendall Morgan getting loose for a 12-yard run to the house. The Independents would miss the 2-point attempt leaving the game at 11-12. The Tigers would retaliate and would find the endzone themselves not too long after. Kiernan would toss his second touchdown of the game finding WR Benedict Spencer for the major. The game would be 18-12 heading into the final quarter.
LDN 18-12 BOS

4th Q
The game had certainly gained a heavy offensive kick, but that didn’t mean the defence wouldn’t still make an impact. London was looking for a quick play on first down. Kiernan would drop back for a pass and would see WR Jack Duncan break to the middle on a deep slant. He would fire the ball that way, however, LB Konrad Aust would jump the route and pick it off. Boston would take over and QB Nathaniel Braddock would only take a few plays to find WR Ellis Lindholm for a touchdown to give them the lead 18-19. At this point, the game’s intensity picked up with both teams’ offences and defences trading blows. The clock was beginning to become for the Tigers who needed to get on the board. QB Riley Kiernan was hoping to get the team into range to get a field goal. He would rely on WR Max Sutton to get the job done. Kiernan would fire a shot to the left side of the field to find Sutton just past DB Carson Scott. Sutton would make the catch and would keep going. Using his speed, Sutton was able to get past S Drew Porter and then take it the rest of the way for a touchdown to give the Tigers a 24-19 lead following a missed 2-point convert. While the big play gave the Tigers a lead, it certainly left a decent amount of time for the Independents to make a push themselves. Braddock would take the field and would have to get the Independents down the field. He would connect on a few plays, but the Tigers made it tough. Luck would fall on his side late, needing to make a play on 3rd down and facing tons of pressure, Braddock would toss a ball over the middle. There certainly were players there for both teams, but TE Tanner Tint would manage to get his hands on the ball and pull it in. Boston was only 17-yards from the endzone. On the next play, Braddock would look to just get closer. He dropped back and had pressure coming, WR Ellis Lindholm took off to the endzone, but the Tigers’ locked him down. Braddock would shift to see WR Clyde McIntosh break to the sideline. He would hit the former Worcester WR with the pass. McIntosh would grab it and spin. As he did DB Bob Ellis would be right on him, but McIntosh was able to hurdle the tackle and take steps toward the endzone. LB Wilson Rockwood-Barnes would come over to make a play, but McIntosh would dive for the endzone and would get it giving the Independents the late lead. They would go for 2 as well, but Braddock didn’t see an option and took the sack from DL Richard Blunt. The Tigers would have one last shot, but they were unable to get back into range. Boston clinched their first title since 1950.