1963 Award Nominations

1963 NAAF Award Nominations

It was suggested to me that I do the award voting earlier this season before we get into the playoffs. I felt that maybe the playoffs would end up having an effect on the awards, which it is not supposed to, so I wanted to try doing the vote before the playoffs kick-off. I won't release the winners until after the playoffs, but I think this will be a good change going forward, especially for my own motivation for this part of the project. 

MVP

QB Riley Kiernan LDN
It was an abysmal start for the Tigers this season which saw starting RB Clifford Russell get knocked out for the season and the team slide to 1-5. However, it was not all lost with Kiernan stepping up for the team. The 2-time MVP QB was able to take over games and win 6 straight to close out the season and turn a 1-5 season into a 7-5 season with a division title. Kiernan’s play has easily been the most important part of the team’s rebound.

LB Scotty Williams LOU
Last year’s MVP made his mark again this season, leading the Thunder defence to set the record for the least amount of points allowed in a 12-game season. If it weren’t for the defence the Thunder would likely not have ended up with a 7-5 record as their offence was 9th in total points this season. 

QB Connor O’Rourke PRO
It was a dominant season under center for QB Connor O’Rourke who led the league in passing touchdowns and passing yards. The strong play from the 1957 MVP winner helped the Gold Stars to another strong 8-3-1 record. O’Rourke has been on a mission to try and get the Gold Stars over the top and he’s playing like an MVP in order to get there.

Offensive Player of the Year
QB Riley Kiernan LDN - 21 Passing Touchdowns (2nd), 2nd in Passing Yards
It was a strong offensive performance for Kiernan, who had to make up for the loss of the team’s top RB Clifford Russell.
WR Max Sutton LDN - 12 Receiving Touchdowns (1st), 1st in Receiving Yards
Sutton was the biggest force through the air this season, which makes sense since he is Riley Kiernan’s favourite target. 
RB Scott Mallard-White MTL - 20 Rushing Touchdowns (1st), 1st in Rushing Yards
Mallard-White was by far the best RB this season having 6 more touchdowns than the next RB in the league. He was a key piece to the Rouge offence this season.
QB Connor O’Rourke PRO - 26 Passing Touchdowns (1st), 1st in Passing Yards
O’Rourke had the best statistical season among quarterbacks lighting up the field with a career-high 26 touchdown season.

Defensive Player of the Year
LB Konrad Aust BOS - 6 Forced Fumbles (T-2nd), 1 Interception, 1 Defensive Touchdown, 1st in Tackles
Aust had a strong season and managed to be the top LB in Boston with his career-best season.
DB Jackson Miles LDN - 8 Interceptions (2nd), 1 Defensive Touchdown, 2nd in Passes Defended
Miles had a great second half to the season, much like the rest of the Tigers, but it was one of his best seasons and will make a push for a DPOY award.
LB Scotty Williams LOU - 7 Forced Fumbles (1st), 2nd in Tackles
The backbone of the Thunder defence was neck and neck with Aust for the top LB statistically this season.  
DB Neville Falkner PRO - 9 Interceptions (1st), 2 Defensive Touchdowns, 1st in Passes Defended
Last year’s winner was the top DB statistically this season with 9 interceptions. Falkner continues to prove that he is making a push for one of the best DBs to ever play.

Special Teams Player of the Year
K Johnnie Berg BOS - 26 Field Goals (T-2nd), 28 Extra Points, 106 Points
Berg had a slow start to the 1963 campaign, but he recovered in the later parts putting up several field goals a game without missing any. He also had the greatest average distance for his kicks. 
K Frank Hughes LOU - 28 Field Goals (1st), 18 Extra Points, 1 Single, 103 Points
Another young kicker makes his way into the STPOY award nominations. Leading the league in field goals this season, however, unlike Berg, his average distance for field goals was one of the lowest. 
K Henderson Schumacher LI - 26 Field Goals (T-1st), 21 Extra Points, 99 Points
Schumacher made his return to the STPOY nominations with a strong season for the Raiders helping the team get back into a more competitive space after the previous two down seasons.

Rookie of the Year
DL Wayne Baxton HFX - 6 Forced Fumbles (T-2nd in League), 10th in Sacks
Baxton made a massive difference on the Mariners' D-line in his first season. He made his presence known right from the get-go helping the Mariners to their 3-2 start. He ended the season with 6 forced fumbles, which was the most among DL in the league.
OL Emil Jennings LDN - He Block Good
Jennings had a slow start to his career, but as he got comfortable, he was able to jump into a larger role and help the Tigers recover from their 1-5 start. With the Tigers’ OL losses over the last couple of seasons, Jennings is a great pick-up
WR Casey Coleman LI - 3 Receiving Touchdowns (T-18th in League)
Coleman looked like he could’ve had an unbelievable rookie season, however, injuries kept him out throughout the season. He showed a lot of potential when in the lineup, but his lack of availability was a concern.

Coach of the Year
HC Ben McMillian BOS - Record: 9-2-1
Boston’s season was full of close games that came down to the wire. In the end, McMillian was able to help the team come out on top of those close games and put their team on top of the league this season. 
HC Roy Aguirre LDN - Record: 7-5
Aguirre, a 2-time COTY winner, showed once again why he is so important to the Tigers. Despite starting 1-5, he was able to turn up the offence (without their top RB) and get the team back to a West Division title. 
HC Emil Riddle LOU - Record: 7-5
Breaking records isn’t something anyone does without putting in the work. Riddle is a great head coach both offensively and defensively, but his chemistry with LB Scotty Williams and the Thunder defence showed this season with the team’s record-breaking points against number this season. 

Breakout Player of the Year
DB Lauri Hayha LI - 6 Interceptions (4th), 1 Defensive Touchdown
It seems the gamble in taking DB Lauri Hayha in the draft last year is paying off. Hayha quickly became a force in the secondary for the Raiders this season and showed that he can be among the best in the league at his position.
WR Taylor Karis MTL - 9 Receiving Touchdowns (T-2nd), 4th in Receiving Yards
Karis became a true endzone threat this season. With many teams trying to shut down the deep threat of WR Derek Cross, it allowed WR Taylor Karis to thrive. The WR is quickly proving that he has #1 WR talent, finding open space and making plays in clutch moments.
WR Owen Paisley PRO - 7 Receiving Touchdowns (5th)
Paisley and O’Rourke clicked this season as Paisley got more snaps. While he didn’t rack up the yards, he was great in the redzone being able to get open in the short field.

46th McCallister Cup Host
Victory Stadium - Indianapolis, IN - Capacity: 48,500 - Last Hosted: 1958
Indianapolis’ Victory Stadium was a great success the first time the McCallister Cup came to town. The colosseum-like stadium certainly paints a great picture for the final showdown.
New Providence Stadium - Providence, RI - Capacity: 65,450 - Last Hosted: 1953
Providence has not hosted the McCallister Cup since 1953, which is the second-longest “drought” in the league. They hope that the biggest stadium in the league can host another championship game in what will be the Gold Stars’ 50th anniversary season.