Monday, 28 February 2022

1967 NAAF Season

1967 Week 1


Buffalo Blue Wings - 27, Boston Independents - 20 - Milton Charles Stadium - June 22, 1967 - 7 PM ET - Kickoff - Weather: Mostly Cloudy/Light Rain
1st Q
7-0 BUF - KRTD WR Tracy Driscoll
7-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> TE Tobias Lindholm
14-7 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
2nd Q
14-10 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
17-10 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
3rd Q
24-10 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
24-13 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
4th Q
27-13 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
27-20 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Alexei Dubois

The NAAF season kicked off with a bang as rookie WR Tracy Driscoll took back the opening kickoff for his first career touchdown to give Buffalo a quick 7-0 lead.
Boston bounced back quickly with their own touchdown drive from TE Tobias Lindholm.
Buffalo’s offensive game plan was all about running the ball with Jimmy Golden to avoid the Boston Independent’s secondary, and it worked well with Golden grabbing 2 touchdowns.
The game did cause several key injuries with Buffalo losing DL Lonnie Vincent and QB Charles Lemieux (Lemieux was replaced by QB Jack Owens), and Boston losing #1 WR Evan Clanton. 
Golden was good enough to propel the Blue Wings to the win without their star QB. 

London Tigers - 29, Indiana Victors - 27 - Western Fair Stadium - June 23, 1967 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
3-7 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
6-7 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
2nd Q
9-7 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
9-14 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
3rd Q
15-14 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
15-20 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Silas Peyton
4th Q
21-20 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Max Sutton
23-20 LDN - 2PT QB Riley Kiernan -> RB Austin Andrews
26-20 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
26-27 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> RB Raymond Green
29-27 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth

Nimrod Handsworth’s 5 field goals were just enough to pull off a bit of an upset to start the season in London.
The Tigers’ offence did look a little better than last season but struggled to finish drives as they went to the redzone 5 times in the game but only scored 2 touchdowns.
Indiana’s defence did a good job of stopping the Tigers once they got to the redzone, but they still allowed field goals on the other 3 drives. 
QB Tom Applewhite had moments of good play with a pair of passing touchdowns, but a couple of turnovers did hurt the team in the long run. 
RB Raymond Green ended up being the unsung hero for the Victors with 3 touchdowns on the day.

Montreal Rouge - 21, Louisville Thunder - 16 - Mount Royal Stadium - June 24, 1967 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Mostly Cloudy/Light Rain
1st Q
0-3 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
2nd Q
7-3 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
7-6 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
3rd Q
14-6 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Yahui Sun
21-6 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
4th Q
21-9 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
21-16 LOU - RTD RB Rodney Clark

Louisville began their campaign with QB Leonidas Dumont under centre, but he may not hold that position for long after a miserable performance against the Rouge.
While the offence was able to get some field goals, 2 interceptions in the 3rd quarter gave Montreal a massive lead following Gene Bishop's 2nd and 3rd touchdown passes.
In the 4th, the team made the switch to QB Buck Murphy and they got on the board on his first drive and then found the endzone on the next drive after WR Lloyd Lane broke loose for a 47-yard play to set up RB Rodney Clark.
The comeback was halted by the Rouge defence following S Garet deVale grabbing his second pick of the game on their final drive. 
DL Aaron Henderson did grab a forced fumble for the Thunder in his first career game.

Providence Gold Stars - 23, Long Island Raiders - 20 - New Providence Stadium - June 24, 1967 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy 
1st Q
7-0 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Cedric Peterson
2nd Q
10-0 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
10-7 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
17-7 PRO - RTD RB Rashed Smith
3rd Q
17-14 LI - PTD QB Stanley Troyer -> WR Casey Coleman
17-17 LI - K Henderson Schumacher
4th Q
17-20 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
20-20 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
23-20 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin

Providence got off to a great start in the first half jumping to a 17-7 lead, being able to get past the usually great Raiders’ defence.
However, things turned south in the second half when QB Connor O’Rourke was knocked out of the game, forcing QB Terry Bourbon to take over. 
The Raiders took advantage of the hindered Gold Stars to roar back and take the lead in the 4th quarter. 
Despite blowing the lead, the Gold Stars’ bounced back with a field goal to tie the game again.
The defence would then become the hero with DL Bartolo Cruz knocking the ball out of RB Dareion Fields’ arms and DL Ryan Sargent falling on top of it.
The turnover allowed the Gold Stars to kick a game-winning field goal to start the season 1-0.

Ottawa Royals - 21, Toronto Steelheads - 7 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - June 25, 1967 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
2nd Q
0-7 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
7-7 OTT - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> TE Ryan Hatcher
3rd Q
14-7 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
21-7 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
4th Q

It was a slow start in Ottawa, but Toronto would finally get on the board in the 2nd quarter.
The touchdown was about all that was positive about Toronto’s game as the Royals would put up 3 straight touchdowns to cruise to a 1-0 start.
QB Michael Benedict looked solid in the first game of the season, throwing a touchdown, however did have an interception in the first quarter. 
Ottawa’s defence was the star for the winning side as they managed to shut down the Steelheads incredibly well. 
DB Sergio Alvarez had a pick, DL Bernhard Hartmann had a pair of sacks in his first career game, and LB Enzo Morello led the way in tackles.

Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 13, Halifax Mariners - 30 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - June 25, 1967 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
3-3 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
3-10 HFX - RTD RB Ronald O’Sullivan
2nd Q
3-17 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
3-20 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
3rd Q
10-20 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
10-27 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
4th Q
13-27 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
13-30 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver

The Mariners did what most expected they would against the Blacksmiths and rolled on to a 30-13 win.
WR Shane Steadman and WR Jav Kerrigan both had great games, each scoring a touchdown and combining for 203 receiving yards.
QB Louis Vaughn got his second career start but did not fare too well against the Mariners’ defence that picked him off twice and took the ball via fumble another time.
He managed to recover in the 3rd a bit with a passing touchdown, but it was a real learning experience for the young QB.
DL Wayne Baxton was the biggest perpetrator on the Mariners’ defence who had the forced fumble and another sack to tack on. 

Injury Report
WR Evan Clanton BOS - 5 Weeks
QB Charles Lemieux BUF - Day-to-Day
DL Lonnie Vincent BUF - 1 Week
DB Joe Robinson HFX - Day-to-Day
LB Frederic Macnamara HFX - 11 Weeks
RB George Seahorse LOU - 1 Week
LB Sam Fitzroy MTL - 3 Weeks
WR Piers Key OTT - 7 Weeks
S Randall Green OTT - 4 Weeks
QB Connor O’Rourke PRO - Day-to-Day

Players of the Week
OFF: QB Lyle Painter HFX - 296 Passing Yards, 2 Touchdowns
DEF: S Garet deVale MTL - 2 Interceptions, 8 Tackles

Standings
WEST
Buffalo 1-0
London 1-0
Indiana 0-1
Louisville 0-1
Toronto 0-1
Pittsburgh 0-1

EAST
Halifax 1-0
Ottawa 1-0
Montreal 1-0
Providence 1-0
Long Island 0-1
Boston 0-1

Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Halifax -
3 - Providence +2
4 - Indiana -1
5 - Long Island -1
6 - London +2
7 - Boston -1
8 - Montreal -1
9 - Ottawa -
10 - Louisville +1
11 - Toronto -1
12 - Pittsburgh -

Week 2 Games
PIT (0-1) @ LOU (0-1) - JUN 30 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
TOR (0-1) @ HFX (1-0) - JUL 1 - 2 PM ET - Canada Day: Centennial Celebration
MTL (1-0) @ OTT (1-0) - JUL 1 - 6 PM ET - Canada Day: Centennial Celebration
BUF (1-0) @ PRO (1-0) - JUL 2 - 1PM ET
LDN (1-0) @ LI (0-1) - JUL 2 - 4 PM ET
IND (0-1) @ BOS (0-1) - JUL 4 - 5 PM ET - 4th of July

1967 Week 2


Louisville Thunder - 20, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 3 - Thunder Stadium - June 30, 1967 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Samuel Petri
10-0 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
2nd Q
17-0 LOU - RTD RB Rodney Clark
3rd Q
17-3 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
20-3 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
4th Q

QB Buck Murphy got the nod for the Thunder in their second game of the season and they cruised to a 20-3 win over the Blacksmiths. 
QB Louis Vaughn struggled again under centre, being sacked 3 times and throwing another pick. 
DL Aaron Henderson and DL Bjorn Sigmarsson started to show what the dynamic duo could do for the Thunder defence being the perpetrators on the 3 sacks.

Halifax Mariners - 24, Toronto Steelheads - 34 - Atlantic Stadium - July 1, 1967 - 2 PM ET - Canada Day: Centennial Celebration - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
3-7 HFX - FG K Elvis Franklin
3-14 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
2nd Q
6-14 HFX - FG K Elvis Franklin
12-14 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
14-14 HFX - 2PT QB Lyle Painter -> WR Dwayne Alexander
14-17 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
3rd Q
14-20 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
17-20 HFX - FG K Elvis Franklin
17-27 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
4th Q
24-27 HFX - RTD RB Ronald O’Sullivan
24-34 TOR - DTD INT DB Dwayne James

The Steelheads shocked the Mariners on the back of a stellar performance from RB Max Tracy, who scored 3 touchdowns and ran for 163 yards. 
The Mariners attempted to make a late comeback in the 4th, however, they fell short when rookie DB Dwayne James got his first career interception, which ended up turning into the game-sealing touchdown.
It was mistakes throughout the game that ultimately hindered the Mariners, with 2 interceptions and 2 fumbles, plus several drives that just ended with poor execution.
The Steelheads played smarter and made fewer mistakes while taking advantage of the Mariners’ mistakes.

Ottawa Royals - 37, Montreal Rouge - 25 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - July 1, 1967 - 6 PM ET - Canada Day: Centennial Celebration - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 OTT - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> WR Julian Santiago
7-7 MTL - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
10-7 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
2nd Q
17-7 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
17-14 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
20-14 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3rd Q
20-21 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Derek Cross
27-21 OTT - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> TE Ryan Hatcher
34-21 OTT - DTD INT DB Jerome Caldwell
4th Q
34-24 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
34-25 MTL - Single K Arthur Kettinger
37-25 OTT - FG K Ira Foster

The Royals and Rouge had a back and forth duel on Canada Day, but the Royals ended up coming out on top being able to lead throughout the game.
The offence for the Royals looked strong overall putting up 37 points which is the first time they have broken 30 points in 21 games (Week 5 of 1965), behind a good day on the ground with a pair of touchdown passes from Benedict. 
Montreal tried to keep pace, but the Royals' defence did enough to disrupt them with a few turnovers including a pick-6 from DB Jerome Caldwell.

Providence Gold Stars - 9, Buffalo Blue Wings - 24 - New Providence Stadium - July 2, 1967 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
0-10 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
2nd Q
3-10 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
3-17 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
3rd Q
6-17 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
6-24 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
4th Q
9-24 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin

Buffalo’s defence came through with a dominant performance, shutting down the usually strong Gold Stars’ offence.
The Gold Stars only managed 3 field goals on the day as their offence was suffocated by just about every member of the Blue Wings’ defence having a moment to shine.
On top of the successful day on defence, the Blue Wings offence were finding success getting to the endzone with RB Jimmy Golden making a big impact once again, scoring a pair of touchdowns.

Long Island Raiders - 10, London Tigers - 17 - Long Island Stadium - July 2, 1967 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
2nd Q
3-7 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
3rd Q
10-7 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
10-10 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
4th Q
10-17 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Joshua Lafleur

The renewal of an old West Division rivalry came down to the final quarter to break a 10-10 tie.
The game-winning play would see WR Joshua Lafleur sped past DB Alexander Bradley off the line, leaving S Eric Willis to attempt to get over to cover. Willis was too far, leaving Lafleur in the clear to score the game-winning touchdown. 
Both defences were very strong, with only a few mistakes which led to the game’s few scores.
In the end, both teams have gotten off to surprising starts with the Tigers taking down a pair of strong teams, while one of the East Division favourites in the Raiders have started 0-2.

Boston Independents - 23, Indiana Victors - 28 - Richardson Stadium - July 4, 1967 - 5 PM ET - 4th of July - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Silas Peyton
2nd Q
3-7 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
4-7 BOS - Single K Johnnie Berg
4-14 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
3rd Q
7-14 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
14-14 BOS - RTD RB Tresean Jones
14-21 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
4th Q
20-21 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Alexei Dubois
23-21 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
23-28 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards

It was quite the battle on the 4th of July between the Independents and the Victors.
The Victors did jump to an early lead at the break, but the Independents roared back to take the lead in the 4th quarter despite a missed extra point from K Johnnie Berg.
However, the spotlight of the game was on the battle between WR Ed Edwards and DB Oliver Langstrom, and in this match, it was Edwards who came out on top making a fantastic touchdown grab to seal the win for the Victors.
Langstrom did end up with a pick as well which set up the go-ahead field goal in the 4th.
It’s a tough one to swallow for the Independents who had high hopes to start their season on the right foot but have quickly flopped to 0-2 marking the team’s 11th straight loss.

Injury Report
DL Tournel Guay BUF - Day-to-Day
DL Richard Blunt LDN - Day-to-Day
TE Davis Langer LI - 3 Weeks

Players of the Week
OFF: RB Max Tracy TOR - 3 Rushing Touchdowns, 163 Rushing Yards
DEF: DB Jerome Caldwell OTT - 1 Interception, 1 Defensive Touchdown, 2 Passes Defended, 5 Tackles

Standings
WEST
Buffalo 2-0
London 2-0
Louisville 1-1
Indiana 1-1
Toronto 1-1
Pittsburgh 0-2

EAST
Ottawa 2-0
Halifax 1-1
Montreal 1-1
Providence 1-1
Long Island 0-2
Boston 0-2

Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Indiana +2
3 - London +3
4 - Providence -1
5 - Halifax -3
6 - Long Island -1
7 - Ottawa +2
8 - Toronto +3
9 - Boston -2
10 - Montreal -2
11 - Louisville -1
12 - Pittsburgh -

Week 3 Games
LI (0-2) @ TOR (1-1) - JUL 7 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
LOU (1-1) @ BOS (0-2) - JUL 8 - 12 PM ET
OTT (2-0) @ IND (1-1) - JUL 8 - 3:30 PM ET
MTL (1-1) @ BUF (2-0) - JUL 8 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
HFX (1-1) @ LDN (2-0) - JUL 9 - 1 PM ET
PRO (1-1) @ PIT (0-2) - JUL 9 - 4 PM ET

1967 Week 3

Toronto Steelheads - 7, Long Island Raiders - 18 - Anderson Stadium - July 7, 1967 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
2nd Q
0-10 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
3rd Q
0-11 LI - Single K Henderson Schumacher
7-11 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
4th Q
7-18 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields

The Raiders knew that they had to stop RB Max Tracy in order to grab their first win of the season, and they did a pretty darn good job keeping Tracy to only 65 yards on the ground.
LB William Washington II was the one that dominated on defence leading the way in tackles and coming away with a forced fumble on Max Tracy.
As for the Raiders’ RB Dareion Fields, he had a strong day with a pair of touchdowns and 123 Rushing Yards.
Toronto did get the shocking win last week, but they were brought back down to Earth this week with the O-line really struggling against the Raiders’ defence.

Boston Independents - 31, Louisville Thunder - 14 - Richardson Stadium - July 8, 1967 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 BOS - RTD RB Tresean Jones
7-7 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
10-7 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
2nd Q
17-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Felix Fontaine
3rd Q
24-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Alexei Dubois
4th Q
24-14 LOU - RTD RB Rodney Clark
31-14 BOS - RTD RB Tresean Jones

Boston finally ended their 11-game losing streak by beating Louisville which happened to be the last team Boston beat back in Week 3 of last season.
Braddock looked more comfortable in his new offence, throwing a pair of touchdowns in the win.
DB Oliver Langstrom fared pretty well against his former team, coming up with another interception, however, he did let up a big touchdown to WR Lloyd Lane in the first quarter.
QB Buck Murphy still looked like he was getting more comfortable with the great throw to Lane to score the touchdown in the 4th, but did run into some interception trouble with the Independents’ secondary later in the game.

Indiana Victors - 23, Ottawa Royals - 26 - Victory Stadium - July 8, 1967 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Orlando Barrack
7-7 OTT - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> WR Marshall Leonard
2nd Q
7-10 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
14-10 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
14-13 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3rd Q
17-13 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
17-20 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
17-23 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
4th Q
20-23 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
23-23 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
23-26 OTT - FG K Ira Foster

The Royals showed that they may be contenders this season with a statement win over the Victors, and also gave themselves a 3-0 start for the first time since 1962. 
The offences were having a strong first half but did start to struggle in the second half as both defences decided to short up.
Ottawa’s had slightly more success, keeping the Victors out of the end zone throughout the half. 
LB Enzo Morello continued to show his development leading the Royals in tackles and grabbing a forced fumble.
Indiana does suffer another tough loss which puts them at 1-2 to start the season.

Buffalo Blue Wings - 21, Montreal Rouge - 28 - Milton Charles Stadium - July 8, 1967 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
7-3 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
2nd Q
7-6 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
14-6 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
3rd Q
14-12 MTL - RTD RB Scott Mallard-White
14-14 MTL - 2PT QB Gene Bishop -> WR Derek Cross
4th Q
14-21 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Yahui Sun
21-21 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
21-28 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis

Montreal had revenge on the mind as they shocked the Blue Wings on the road. 
QB Gene Bishop showed flashes of his old self with a 2 touchdown second half, with RB Scott Mallard-White stepping up after RB Hugo Hughes left the game.
Montreal’s defence also stepped up with S Garet deVale being the key piece grabbing an interception, while LB Conrad Kurst showed why Montreal went out and got him with a 13 tackle performance.
Buffalo felt in control of the game early in the game, but they may have gotten a bit too comfortable and mistakes cost them in the end.

London Tigers - 26, Halifax Mariners - 34 - Western Fair Stadium - July 9, 1967 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
3-3 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
6-3 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
2nd Q
6-10 HFX - RTD RB Ronald O’Sullivan
9-10 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
9-17 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
3rd Q
9-20 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
9-27 HFX - RTD RB Ronald O’Sullivan
16-27 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
4th Q
19-27 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
19-34 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
26-34 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Russell Wilcox

The Tigers-Mariners battle started slow with only field goals to start, but the Mariners started to pull away in the second quarter with a pair of touchdowns, while their defence held off the Tigers’ attacks.
The second half saw DL Wayne Baxton create more havoc for the Tigers with a strip-sack on QB Riley Kiernan which would set up the Mariners’ 3rd touchdown of the game to give them an 18-point lead.
The Tigers managed to battle back following the huge turnover and would score on back-to-back drives to pull the lead to within 8. 
Halifax would eventually answer back with a WR Shane Steadman touchdown following a DB Joe Robinson interception.
The Tigers scored on one last drive, but they were too far back to make a true comeback and leave the Royals as the only unbeaten team remaining.

Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 24, Providence Gold Stars - 23 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - July 9, 1967 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Cedric Peterson
7-7 PIT - RTD RB Carter Roy
2nd Q
14-7 PIT - PTD QB Magnus Torrensen -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
14-10 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
14-13 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
3rd Q
14-20 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Cedric Peterson
4th Q
21-20 PIT - PTD QB Magnus Torrensen -> WR Jack Duncan
21-23 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
24-23 PIT - FG K Al Highlander

QB Magnus Torrensen got the nod for the Blacksmiths and made an impact in his first game of the season being able to jump out to a 14-7 lead after the Gold Stars scored on their first drive.
Providence kept it close and took the lead in the 3rd after their defence found how to stop the Blacksmiths.
However, HC Ted McMahon figured out the Gold Stars’ defence and got the Blacksmiths on a roll in order to come back and take the lead.
The Gold Stars would get a field goal to take a late lead, but the Blacksmith would get the last laugh to pick up their first win of the season.

Injury Report
DL Bernard King HFX - Day-to-Day
S Tom Parrish IND - Day-to-Day
DB Bernard Wilkins LDN - 3 Weeks
DB Bobby Bastian LOU - Day-to-Day
RB Hugo Hughes MTL - 3 Weeks
WR Edmund Landry TOR - Day-to-Day

Players of the Week
OFF: QB Gene Bishop MTL - 2 Passing Touchdowns, 324 Passing Yards
DEF: LB William Washington II LI - 10 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble

Standings
WEST
Buffalo 2-1
London 2-1
Indiana 1-2
Louisville 1-2
Toronto 1-2
Pittsburgh 1-2

EAST
Ottawa 3-0
Halifax 2-1
Montreal 2-1
Boston 1-2
Long Island 1-2
Providence 1-2

Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Halifax +3
3 - Ottawa +4
4 - London -1
5 - Indiana -3
6 - Long Island -
7 - Providence -3
8 - Montreal +2
9 - Boston -
10 - Toronto -2
11 - Pittsburgh +1
12 - Louisville -1

Week 4 Games
LOU (1-2) @ TOR (1-2) - JUL 13 - 7 PM ET - Thursday Night Football
BOS (1-2) @ HFX (2-1) - JUL 14 - 6 PM ET - Friday Night Football
LDN (2-1) @ PRO (1-2) - JUL 15 - 3:30 PM ET
PIT (1-2) @ OTT (3-0) - JUL 15 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
BUF (2-1) @ IND (1-2) - JUL 16 - 1 PM ET
LI (1-2) @ MTL (2-1) - JUL 16 - 4 PM ET

1967 Week 4
Toronto Steelheads - 9, Louisville Thunder - 30 - Anderson Stadium - July 13, 1967 - 7 PM ET - TNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
3-7 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
3-14 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Samuel Petri
2nd Q
3-17 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
6-17 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
3rd Q
6-20 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
6-27 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
4th Q
9-27 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
9-30 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes

QB Buck Murphy flexed his muscles against the Steelheads to grab Louisville’s second win of the season.
He was helped by a fantastic performance from WR Lloyd Lane who had a pair of touchdowns in the win.
Toronto’s offensive line struggled once again with RB Max Tracy unable to get moving against a tenacious Louisville D-line.
It didn’t help that QB Todd Baker was knocked out of the game, however, it did finally give former 7th overall pick QB Matt Fletcher his first chance to get on the field since being drafted in 1963.
Fletcher was quite rusty in his first bit of action only completing 2 of his first 7 attempts, but did get better as the game went on.

Halifax Mariners - 38, Boston Independents - 16 - Atlantic Stadium - July 14, 1967 - 6 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Rain/Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 HFX - RTD RB Ronald O’Sullivan
10-0 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
10-3 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
2nd Q
17-3 HFX - RTD RB Ronald O’Sullivan
17-6 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
24-6 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Dwayne Alexander
3rd Q
24-13 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Alexei Dubois
24-16 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
31-16 HFX - DTD FUM LB Pepper Burress
4th Q
38-16 HFX - RTD RB Ronald O’Sullivan

Halifax ran all over Boston, literally; RB Ronald O’Sullivan rolled over the Boston D-line for 3 touchdowns and 167 yards. 
The Mariners’ defence also played at their best shutting down the Braddock-led Independents holding them to only 16 points.
LB Pepper Burress grabbed a touchdown after DL Pat Butler knocked the ball out of RB Tresean Jones’ arms.
Boston’s struggles continued despite finally getting their first win in a year last week.
It seems that the HC Levi Bray and QB Nathaniel Braddock have not been able to get things to work and they need to start to come together on a new strategy.

Providence Gold Stars - 10, London Tigers - 20 - New Providence Stadium - July 15, 1967 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
2nd Q
3-3 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
3-10 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
3rd Q
10-10 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Owen Paisley
10-13 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
4th Q
10-20 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Joshua Lafleur

The Tigers got back on track with a win on the road in Providence.
RB Austin Andrews had a strong day to pick up 102 yards on the ground plus a touchdown.
LB Dallas Dillard also was a star on defence with an interception to go along with 9 tackles.
The Gold Stars on the other hand struggled again not being able to get the offence going and dropped their 3rd straight game.
The fans at New Providence Stadium certainly let their team hear it, as they started to show their frustration from the quick slide at this point in the season.

Ottawa Royals - 35, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 19 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - July 15, 1967 - 7 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
7-3 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
2nd Q
14-3 OTT - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> WR Ferdinand Matthews
14-10 PIT - PTD QB Magnus Torrensen -> WR Nathan Murry-Lawrence
21-10 OTT - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> WR Marshall Leonard
3rd Q
21-13 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
21-19 PIT - RTD RB Carter Roy
4th Q
28-19 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
35-19 OTT - RTD RB Wally Morton

The Royals and Blacksmiths provided a nice show for Saturday Night Football with a lot of scoring and exciting moments.
In the first half, rookie WR Ferdinand Matthews, who was called up due to WR Piers Key being placed on the IR, caught his first career touchdown showing some great route running talent.
Despite being down 11 at the half, the Blacksmiths made a comeback to make it a 2 point game, however, DL Bernhard Hartmann batted down QB Magnus Torrensen’s pass attempt on the 2-point convert.
It was Ottawa that did get the last laugh in the 4th scoring a pair of touchdowns following great defensive play that gave the offence great field position.
DB Sergio Alvarez had another interception and DL Bernhard Hartmann would strip RB Carter Roy to get his first career forced fumble, both turnovers would set up a touchdown in the 4th quarter.
DL Matthias Hartmann, Bernhard’s brother, had his first career forced fumble in this game as well.

Indiana Victors - 35, Buffalo Blue Wings - 37 - Victory Stadium - July 16, 1967 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Silas Peyton
7-7 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
2nd Q
7-14 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
14-14 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
3rd Q
21-14 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
21-17 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
21-24 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> TE Paul Arturberry
4th Q
28-24 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
28-31 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
28-34 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
35-34 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Silas Peyton
35-37 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch

A certified classic was played between the Indiana Victors and the Buffalo Blue Wings.
The Victors came out firing with a touchdown on their first drive, but the Blue Wings were able to counter with a pair of Jimmy Golden touchdowns.
Raymond Green came through to tie the game up at the break, and then WR Ed Edwards would score a touchdown on Indy’s opening drive of the second half. 
Buffalo bounced back quickly, and with the help of a DL Lonnie Vincent forced fumble, they were back in front 21-24.
WR Ed Edwards had an answer and would score on a 65-yard touchdown to retake the lead.
Buffalo would once again answer back with a touchdown and field goal to make it a 6-point game.
QB Tom Applewhite got a chance to show some clutch play getting the Victors into the endzone to take a 1-point lead late in the game. 
However, QB Charles Lemieux had just enough time to get the Blue Wings into field goal range, and Aussie K Ryan Perch would drill home the deciding field goal with zeros on the clock.

Montreal Rouge - 22, Long Island Raiders - 25 - OT - Mount Royal Stadium - July 16, 1967 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
0-10 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
2nd Q
7-10 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Yahui Sun
7-13 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
3rd Q
7-16 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
14-16 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Derek Cross
14-19 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
4th Q
14-22 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
20-22 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
22-22 MTL - 2PT RB Scott Mallard-White
Overtime
22-25 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher

The Raiders’ offence started the game really strong with a RB Dareion Fields touchdown, however, after that, they were not able to get back to the endzone.
K Henderson Schumacher would kick 5 straight field goals, giving the Raiders 15 of their 22 points.
Montreal on the other hand was spreading the ball around with both Yahui Sun and Derek Cross scoring a touchdown. 
Taylor Karis would get in on the action to help pull the team within 2 before RB Scott Mallard-White would punch in the 2-point conversion to tie the game.
The Raiders’ defence would stifle the Rouge offence in the extra frame, while K Henderson Schumacher would drill his 6th field goal of the game, staking his claim to be a potential offensive player of the week, joining several other stellar performances.

Injury Report
DB Finnigan Pike HFX - Day-to-Day
LB Ken Roy LI - 3 Weeks
RB Henri Létourneau MTL - Day-to-Day
LB Sam Wheeler OTT - Day-to-Day
DL Calias McDonough PRO - Day-to-Day
LB Caruso Robinson TOR - 3 Weeks
QB Todd Baker TOR - Day-to-Day

Players of the Week
OFF: QB Tom Applewhite IND - 4 Passing Touchdown, 401 Passing Yards
DEF: DL Bernhard Hartmann OTT - 1 Forced Fumble, 6 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 Pass Defended

Standings
WEST
Buffalo 3-1
London 3-1
Louisville 2-2
Indiana 1-3
Toronto 1-3
Pittsburgh 1-3

EAST
Ottawa 4-0
Halifax 3-1
Long Island 2-2
Montreal 2-2
Boston 1-3
Providence 1-3

Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Halifax -
3 - Ottawa -
4 - Indiana +1
5 - London -1
6 - Long Island -
7 - Montreal +1
8 - Providence -1
9 - Boston -
10 - Louisville +2
11 - Toronto -1
12 - Pittsburgh -1

Week 5 Games
BOS (1-3) @ LDN (3-1) - JUL 20 - 7 PM ET - Thursday Night Football
PRO (1-3) @ TOR (1-3) - JUL 21 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
OTT (4-0) @ LOU (2-2) - JUL 22 - 3 PM ET
IND (1-3) @ LI (2-2) - JUL 22 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
BUF (3-1) @ HFX (3-1) - JUL 23 - 1 PM ET
MTL (2-2) @ PIT (1-3) - JUL 23 - 4 PM ET

1967 Week 5


London Tigers - 17, Boston Independents - 24 - Western Fair Stadium - July 20, 1967 - 7 PM ET - TNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Felix Fontaine
2nd Q
7-7 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
7-10 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
10-10 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
3rd Q
17-10 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
4th Q
17-17 BOS - RTD RB Tresean Jones
17-24 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Sam Nash

Boston got out of their funk with an important win over the London Tigers, which is their first win over the team since 1959. 
Braddock and the offence got out to an early lead, but yet again fell behind in the second half. 
The good news is Braddock flashed his old fourth-quarter comeback ways and brought the Independents back into the game to capture their second win of the season.
It’s a tough loss to swallow for London, who hoped their next two games against the Blue Wings would be a chance to take a huge lead in the division, but they are still playing strong to start the season.
RB Austin Andrews had another strong outing with a pair of touchdowns as he continues to show his importance to the Tigers’ offence.
QB Riley Kiernan has run into a bit of an interception issue for the Tigers as he leads the league with 8 on the season.

Toronto Steelheads - 10, Providence Gold Stars - 34 - Anderson Stadium - July 21, 1967 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Rain
1st Q
3-0 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
3-7 PRO - RTD RB Rashed Smith
3-10 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
2nd Q
10-10 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
10-17 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Cedric Peterson
3rd Q
10-20 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
10-27 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Doug Piva
4th Q
10-34 PRO - RTD RB Rashed Smith

The Gold Stars ended their 3-game skid with a strong win over the Toronto Steelheads.
RB Rashed Smith had a solid game for the Gold Stars and scored a pair of touchdowns. 
The Gold Stars defence were beaten once by RB Max Tracy but were able to contain the star RB throughout the rest of the game in order to hold off the Steelheads. 
O’Rourke looked a little more stable in this one with a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions which should be a good sign for the Gold Stars as they hope to get back to winning.
Toronto on the other hand is clearly not the team they were last year as this season looks more and more like a rebuilding year.

Louisville Thunder - 31, Ottawa Royals - 21 - Thunder Stadium - July 22, 1967 - 3 PM ET - 3 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
3-7 OTT - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> WR Marshall Leonard
2nd Q
10-7 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
17-7 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Samuel Petri
17-14 OTT - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> WR Colby Bancana
3rd Q
24-14 LOU - RTD RB Rodney Clark
4th Q
24-21 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
31-21 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane

QB Buck Murphy threw 3 touchdowns to take down the Royals and end their unbeaten campaign.
WR Lloyd Lane rolled on to score 2 touchdowns showing off the chemistry between himself and Murphy.
Ottawa didn’t look too bad against the Thunder, but they certainly weren’t the well-oiled machine they looked to be over the first couple of weeks.
Defence has been the key for them this season, but mistakes cost them a couple of touchdowns and ultimately the game.
WR Colby Bancana has been quiet so far this season but finally did get to the endzone in this match which could be a good sign for the team moving forward.

Long Island Raiders - 16, Indiana Victors - 6 - Long Island Stadium - July 22, 1967 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Rain
1st Q
3-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
2nd Q
3-3 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
3rd Q
6-3 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
13-3 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
4th Q
13-6 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
16-6 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher

The rain proved to be a major factor in the battle between the Raiders and Victors, with many turnovers throughout the game.
The foot of K Henderson Schumacher once again helped the Raiders to stay ahead of the Victors, while their defence squandered their offence and allowed them to win their third straight game.
DL Pionk Bjorkkstrand was the star for the Raiders, with a forced fumble, 2 sacks, and 6 tackles.
Indiana is certainly not happy with this result which puts them at a shocking 1-4 to start.
QB Tom Applewhite struggled immensely in the rain throwing an interception and losing the ball twice on fumbles. 
Their defence did their job pretty well, being able to hold the Raiders off when the offence turned the ball over and gifted Long Island great field position, holding them to field goals most of the time.

Halifax Mariners - 30, Buffalo Blue Wings - 35 - Atlantic Stadium - July 23, 1967 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
3-7 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
6-7 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
2nd Q
6-14 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
12-14 HFX - RTD RB Ronald O’Sullivan
3rd Q
19-14 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
26-14 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> TE Oliver Chandler
26-21 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
4th Q
26-28 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
29-28 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
29-35 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden

For the second week in a row, the Blue Wings found themselves in an offensive shootout on Sunday afternoon.
The game started off well for the Blue Wings who got out to a 14-6 lead in the 2nd quarter.
However, Halifax came roaring back with 3 straight touchdowns to take a massive 26-14 lead.
A rare mistake from QB Charles Lemieux contributed to the Mariners’ success with only his 2nd interception of the season, caught by DB Aquilio Ruiz.
Lemieux shook off the mistake and led the Blue Wings right back into the lead with a pair of touchdowns for his own team. 
Halifax still answered back with a field goal to retake the lead with 2:04 to go.
There was plenty of time for the Blue Wings who marched down into the Mariners’ territory before RB Jimmy Golden found a hole and took it 32 yards to the house to clinch the win for Buffalo.

Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 13, Montreal Rouge - 17 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - July 23, 1967 - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 MTL - RTD RB Scott Mallard-White
3-7 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
2nd Q
3-10 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
3rd Q
10-10 PIT - RTD RB Carter Roy
4th Q
13-10 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
13-17 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis

Montreal escaped Pittsburgh with a low-scoring win despite a pretty poor offensive performance.
QB Gene Bishop had 2 interceptions, while RB Scott Mallard-White dropped the ball twice.
Luckily for Montreal, the Blacksmiths had their own offensive troubles with 5 turnovers of their own.
QB Magnus Torrensen threw 3 interceptions in the loss but had still managed to give them a lead late in the game.
WR Taylor Karis would get the game-winning touchdown to hold off the Blacksmiths following a huge forced fumble from DL Hubert Tessier.

Injury Report
DB Dennis Kirchner BOS - Day-to-Day
LB Calvin Hardy LOU - Day-to-Day

Players of the Week
OFF: RB Jimmy Golden BUF - 3 Rushing Touchdowns, 128 Rushing Yards
DEF: DL Pionk Bjorkkstrand LI - 1 Forced Fumble, 2 Sacks, 6 Tackles

Standings
WEST
Buffalo 4-1
Louisville 3-2
London 3-2
Indiana 1-4
Pittsburgh 1-4
Toronto 1-4

EAST
Ottawa 4-1
Halifax 3-2
Long Island 3-2
Montreal 3-2
Providence 2-3
Boston 2-3

Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Halifax -
3 - Long Island +3
4 - Ottawa -1
5 - London -
6 - Indiana -2
7 - Louisville +3
8 - Boston +1
9 - Providence -1
10 - Montreal -3
11 - Toronto -
12 - Pittsburgh -

Week 6 Games - RIVALRY WEEK
HFX (3-2) @ LI (3-2) - JUL 28 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
TOR (1-4) @ PIT (1-4) - JUL 29 - 12 PM ET
IND (1-4) @ LOU (3-2) - JUL 29 - 3:30 PM ET
PRO (2-3) @ BOS (2-3) - JUL 29 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
OTT (4-1) @ MTL (3-2) - JUL 30 - 1 PM ET
LDN (3-2) @ BUF (4-1) - JUL 30 - 4 PM ET

1967 Week 6

Long Island Raiders - 20, Halifax Mariners - 14 - Long Island Stadium - July 28, 1967 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
3-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
2nd Q
10-7 LI - PTD QB Stanley Troyer -> WR Larry Mossholder
13-7 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
3rd Q
20-7 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
4th Q
20-14 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Dwayne Alexander

The Raiders would win their 4th straight in a crucial game against the Mariners to kick off rivalry week. 
The offence had a little more in them this week, with QB Stanley Troyer throwing just his second touchdown of the season, while RB Dareion Fields found the endzone again as well.
The defence did its job once again, holding off a pretty electric Mariner offence to just 7 points in the first 3 quarters.
Halifax’s defence had another oddly inconsistent performance, allowing the struggling Raiders’ offence to have their way on a few too many plays in this one.

Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 27, Toronto Steelheads - 13 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - July 29, 1967 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 PIT - RTD RB Carter Roy
2nd Q
7-7 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
10-7 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
17-7 PIT - PTD QB Magnus Torrensen -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
3rd Q
17-10 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
24-10 PIT - PTD QB Magnus Torrensen -> WR Taylor Austin
24-13 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
4th Q
27-13 PIT - FG K Al Highlander

Pittsburgh came away with a big win on home field to get their second win of the season.
QB Magnus Torrensen looked much better than he was last week against the Rouge, throwing a pair of touchdowns and only 1 interception when compared to no touchdowns and 3 picks.
Toronto’s offence looks just as flat as it has been since their week 2 win against the Mariners.
Max Tracy was the only source of success while the Blacksmiths defence had a strong outing.

Louisville Thunder - 41 - Indiana Victors - 34 - OT - Thunder Stadium - July 29, 1967 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> TE Emmanuel Hines
7-7 LOU - RTD RB Rodney Clark
2nd Q
7-14 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Silas Peyton
10-14 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
10-17 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
3rd Q
17-17 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Carter Henderson
17-24 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
4th Q
24-24 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
24-27 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
27-27 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
Overtime
27-34 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
34-34 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
41-34 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane

The Thunder-Victors rivalry had one of its best instalments this rivalry week. 
The game looked to be in favour of the Victors throughout as they managed to keep just one step ahead of the Thunder. 
Louisville managed to get the last punch in and tie the game on a last-second field goal to send the game to a well-deserved overtime.
In the extra frame, it seemed like business as usual with the Victors grabbing a touchdown on the opening drive, while Louisville tied it right back up. 
However, on Indiana’s next attempt, Applewhite would make a mistake and S Johnny Berger would take advantage and grab an interception which would allow WR Lloyd Lane to score his 3rd touchdown of the game and win it for the Thunder who now have 3 straight wins.
Indiana on the other hand is in a shocking deep hole at 1-5 and looks to be way out of the running for the playoffs this season.

Boston Independents - 14, Providence Gold Stars - 24 - July 29, 1967 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Light Rain
1st Q
0-3 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
2nd Q
7-3 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Felix Fontaine
7-10 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Cedric Peterson
3rd Q
7-17 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Cedric Peterson
4th Q
14-17 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Sam Nash
14-24 PRO - RTD RB Rashed Smith

Following their 2nd win of the season, the Independents immediately faltered back into a loss against the Gold Stars.
Frustration was continuing to show from Boston’s Captain QB Nathaniel Braddock, as they just could not get much to go their way and they are starting to fall behind in the race in the East.
Providence did a solid job keeping Boston on their toes, forcing 3 turnovers in the rain.
O’Rourke still had a solid day through the air finding his star WR Cedric Peterson for a pair of touchdowns to help lift his team to victory over his rivals.
DB Neville Falkner has been a bit quiet in the last few weeks, but he got an interception in this one to bring his total up to 4.

Montreal Rouge - 31, Ottawa Royals - 26 - Mount Royal Stadium - July 30, 1967 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
7-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
7-6 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
2nd Q
14-6 MTL - RTD RB Scott Mallard-White
14-9 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3rd Q
21-6 MTL - DTD INT S Garet deVale
21-12 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
24-12 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
4th Q
24-19 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
31-19 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Yahui Sun
31-26 OTT - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> WR Colby Bancana

Montreal jumped out to a strong start with a touchdown on their first drive, while Ottawa struggled to get into the endzone, but still managed a pair of field goals.
The second quarter had Montreal grab another touchdown while the defence caused problems for Michael Benedict with an interception and forced fumble.
The 3rd didn’t get better for the Royals as S Garet deVale would take an interception back for a touchdown to extend their lead.
Ottawa’s offensive struggles seemed to dissipate in the final quarter as they mounted a comeback, but a Yahui Sun touchdown kept Montreal in front.

Buffalo Blue Wings - 30, London Tigers - 13 - Milton Charles Stadium - July 30, 1967 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
7-3 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
2nd Q
10-3 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
13-3 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
3rd Q
20-3 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
20-10 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
23-10 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
4th Q
23-13 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
30-13 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden

There was initial hope that the Tigers could keep it close with the Division-leading Blue Wings, however, the hope was quickly diminished when the Blue Wings scored a touchdown on their second play from scrimmage.
The Tigers tried to bounce back, but Buffalo kept the lead throughout to win their 5th game of the season and hold the best record in the league.
London’s offence was completely shut down overall by Buffalo with their passing game having its worst outing.
This is a huge win for the Blue Wings who will have a chance to push the Tigers out of the division fight with their rematch next week.

Injury Report
WR Sam Nash BOS - Day-to-Day
OL Taylor Alexander IND - 9 Weeks
OL Elliot Barrett MTL - Day-to-Day
OL Peter Kingsley OTT - Day-to-Day
TE Tanner Tint PIT - Season

Players of the Week
OFF: WR Lloyd Lane LOU - 3 Receiving Touchdowns, 176 Receiving Yards
DEF: S Garet deVale MTL - 1 Interception, 1 Defensive Touchdown, 8 Tackles, 2 Passes Defended

Standings
WEST
Buffalo 5-1
Louisville 4-2
London 3-3
Pittsburgh 2-4
Indiana 1-5
Toronto 1-5

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

Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Long Island +1
3 - Louisville +4
4 - Halifax -2
5 - Ottawa -1
6 - London -1
7 - Montreal +3
8 - Providence +1
9 - Indiana -3
10 - Boston -
11 - Pittsburgh +1
12 - Toronto -1

Week 7 Games
PIT (2-4) @ LI (4-2) - AUG 3, 1967 - 7 PM ET - Thursday Night Football
LOU (4-2) @ PRO (3-3) - AUG 4, 1967 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
OTT (4-2) @ BOS (2-4) - AUG 5, 1967 - 3 PM ET
MTL (4-2) @ HFX (3-3) - AUG 5, 1967 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
TOR (1-5) @ IND (1-5) - AUG 6, 1967 - 1 PM ET
BUF (5-1) @ LDN (3-3) - AUG 6, 1967 - 4 PM ET

Week 7 Transactions

TRADE ALERT

The second half of the NAAF season started off with a bang as the Raiders made a blockbuster trade. The Raiders had a tough situation arising with WR Casey Coleman. The former 9th overall pick has been frustrated with the lack of targets within the Raiders offence. Compared to the top reception catchers from the other 11 teams, Coleman is by far the lowest. It simply is because the Raiders do run the ball a majority of the time. Coleman had expressed his desire for more targets when he signed his 2-year extension following the 1965 championship season but has not gotten his wish, in fact, this season, the targets have gone down. Due to the situation, Coleman is likely going to enter free agency at the end of the season, so the Raiders felt they had to trade him to get value as he is still a solid WR. What the Raiders were hoping to get back is a starting Tight End (a difficult task considering not many teams would want to part ways with their starting TE), a cheaper, younger Wide Receiver, and a #2 Running Back for insurance behind Dareion Fields. To make the deal even tougher, the Raiders also are right up against the Salary Cap which means they need to offload more than they take on. 

5 Teams made offers for Coleman. Boston was looking to add a top-tier WR for Braddock and had offered to once again give RB Kendall Morgan to the Raiders alongside WR Sam Nash and TE Willis Harrington. London seemed like they could push to go all-in this season and even looked at giving up WR Russell Wilcox and RB Cody Barnes, but no TE. Coleman’s hometown team of Toronto put in an offer with RB Lukas Ivarsson and WR Kyle Hatherly, but like the Tigers, no TE. Pittsburgh made an interesting offer with 24-year-old WR Justin Dubuque and RB Stavros Black, but due to TE Tanner Tint’s season-ending injury, they were not looking to trade TE Bobby Clark. In the end, the Louisville Thunder were the ones to check off all of the boxes for the Raiders. 

They would send their starting TE Christopher Gist, 25-year-old WR Chad Anderson, and RB Greg Dix to Long Island in exchange for WR Casey Coleman, LB Sam Wynn, to take another large salary off the Raiders' hands, and TE Davis Langer. $7,000 will be retained from Gist’s contract to help with the Raiders’ cap. 

The Raiders land their starting TE in the experienced Christopher Gist, they still get a younger and cheaper WR in Chad Anderson, plus RB Greg Dix has shown flashes of strong play while with the Thunder. Of course, this trade may even look better for the Thunder who add Coleman to a WR core next to WR Lloyd Lane, which could be a deadly combo. LB Sam Wynn provides some veteran help to the defence, and TE Davis Langer had played in Louisville prior to this season and should be able to fit right in, however, Louisville has announced rookie TE Rex Williamson will be the starting TE for Week 7. 

The Thunder have also called up RB Lando Blake and sent down LB Brian O'Flaherty. The Raiders on the other hand have placed RB Joseph Van Horne on Waivers and called up LB Greg Manson.

ROSTER MOVES

Elsewhere, Indiana has placed OL Taylor Alexander on Injured Reserve and called up rookie OL TJ Overton. Montreal has placed both RB Henri Létourneau and LB Cornelius Mayo on Waivers and removed RB Hugo Hughes and LB Sam Fitzroy from the IR. Boston has taken WR Evan Clanton off IR and placed WR Randy Wilkins on Waivers. 

1967 Week 7
Long Island Raiders - 34, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 16 - Long Island Stadium - August 3, 1967 - 7 PM ET - TNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 LI - PTD QB Stanley Troyer -> WR Larry Mossholder
10-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
2nd Q
10-3 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
10-10 PIT - PTD QB Magnus Torrensen -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
17-10 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
3rd Q
17-13 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
24-13 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
24-16 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
4th Q
31-16 LI - RTD RB Greg Dix
34-16 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher

The Raiders rolled on to their 5th straight win, following their massive trade earlier in the week.
QB Stanley Troyer threw his 3rd touchdown of the season after the Raiders had let go of their best WR, as Larry Mossholder slipped into the top role and performed well.
RB Dareion Fields had a strong day with a pair of touchdowns, while their new acquisition of RB Greg Dix had to play more than expected when RB Scott Norton left the game with an injury; Dix would go on to score a touchdown in the 4th quarter.
After tying the game at 10, the Blacksmiths’ offence was shut down as QB Magnus Torrensen struggled to move the ball against the strong Raiders’ defence. 

Providence Gold Stars - 35, Louisville Thunder - 20 - New Providence Stadium - August 4, 1967 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
7-3 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Cedric Peterson
2nd Q
7-6 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
14-6 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Doug Piva
21-6 PRO - RTD RB Rashed Smith
3rd Q
21-13 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
28-13 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Owen Paisley
4th Q
28-20 LOU - RTD RB Rodney Clark
35-20 PRO - DTD INT DB Neville Falkner

Louisville’s new acquisition took a little time to get used to the offence which resulted in a less than spectacular outing against the Gold Stars.
A mistake from WR Casey Coleman did end up making a costly mistake late in the game running the wrong route which led to a DB Neville Falkner pick-6 to seal the game.
Providence had a strong day to win their 3rd straight game where O’Rourke connected with all 3 of the team’s starting WRs for a touchdown.
The Gold Stars seem to be catching fire at the right time to make a push for the playoffs.

Boston Independents - 30, Ottawa Royals - 14 - Richardson Stadium - August 5, 1967 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy/Light Rain
1st Q
7-0 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Alexei Dubois
14-0 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Alexei Dubois
2nd Q
14-7 OTT - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> WR Julian Santiago
17-7 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
3rd Q
20-7 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
27-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Evan Clanton
4th Q
27-14 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
30-14 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg

Nathaniel Braddock seemed to be fed up with the constant struggles and took it upon himself to beat the living daylights out of the Royals. 
With a pair of touchdowns in the first half, the game was over before it even started.
WR Evan Clanton made his return to the lineup and scored a touchdown in the win.
Ottawa was not able to climb back as QB Michael Benedict had a horrible outing, throwing 3 interceptions in the loss.
DB Oliver Langstrom continued to have a strong season with his new team grabbing 2 of the 3 interceptions to give him 5 on the season for Boston.
The rest of the offence sputtered with Benedict’s struggles showing the true importance of a starting QB. 

Halifax Mariners - 27, Montreal Rouge - 17 - Atlantic Stadium - August 5, 1967 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Rain
1st Q
7-0 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
2nd Q
7-3 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
14-3 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> RB Ronald O’Sullivan
3rd Q
14-10 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
4th Q
14-17 MTL - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
17-17 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
Overtime
24-17 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
27-17 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver

Halifax and Montreal had a back and forth duel that perfectly summed up the closeness of the East Division at the moment. 
Halifax had a strong first half going up 14-3, with the offence clicking and the defence shutting down the Rouge.
Montreal came back in the second half following HC Jimmy Sargent’s adjustments and a rallying speech from Captain OL Mathieu Roy. 
The Rouge defence held off the Mariners’ offence while their own offence scored a pair of touchdowns to take a lead late. 
In the end, the Mariners were able to get a late field goal to force overtime.
In the extra frame, the Mariners’ bounced back and they controlled the quarter with a touchdown and a field goal while the defence only allowed 21 yards of offence in overtime.

Indiana Victors - 41, Toronto Steelheads - 21 - Victory Stadium - August 6, 1967 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
14-0 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
2nd Q
17-0 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
17-7 TOR - PTD QB Todd Baker -> WR Edmund Landry
24-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Orlando Barrack
24-10 TOR - K Bob Randall
3rd Q
31-10 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
31-17 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
4th Q
31-20 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
38-20 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Silas Peyton
38-21 TOR - Single K Bob Randall
41-21 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter

The Victors took out their frustration on the Steelheads by putting up 41 points to take their 2nd win of the season.
QB Tom Applewhite threw 3 touchdowns in the win, which certainly put to bed any questions that he is still the guy to lead this team.
RB Raymond Green also continued to be an important part of the offence for the Victors with his own two touchdowns and 111 rushing yards.
Toronto had a little more fight in them on offence this time, as QB Todd Baker threw his first passing touchdown of the season, but their defence could not stop the Victors’ offence and they fell way too far behind. 

London Tigers - 14, Buffalo Blue Wings - 22 - Western Fair Stadium - August 6, 1967 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
7-7 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
2nd Q
7-14 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
3rd Q
7-21 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> TE Paul Arturberry
4th Q
7-22 BUF - Single K Ryan Perch
14-22 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Cole Fletcher

The Tigers once again were no match for the Blue Wings as Buffalo swept their season series with another strong win.
London had scored a touchdown early in the game, but that was the last moment that they had control of the game.
Buffalo took over and controlled the game from that point forward and put up 22 unanswered points.
London attempted to make a strong comeback in the 4th with rookie WR Cole Fletcher getting an opportunity to show off his talents and score his first touchdown.
However, they were too far back and Buffalo held on to improve to 6-1 and create some distance to Louisville and London for the top of the division.

Injury Report
DL Dennis Hughes BUF - 5 Weeks
OL Barry Florence LDN - Day-to-Day
OL Jeffrey Uduike LDN - Day-to-Day
DL Chuck Charleston III LDN - Day-to-Day
RB Scott Norton LI - 7 Weeks
LB Le’Darius Wynn LOU - Day-to-Day
LB Calvin Hardy LOU - 1 Week
TE Ryan Hatcher OTT - 11 Weeks
WR Al Allmendinger TOR - Day-to-Day
OL Evan Kilgore TOR - 1 Week

Players of the Week
OFF: QB Connor O’Rourke PRO - 3 Passing Touchdowns, 231 Passing Yards
DEF: DB Oliver Langstrom BOS - 2 Interceptions, 5 Tackles

Standings
WEST
Buffalo 6-1
Louisville 4-3
London 3-4
Indiana 2-5
Pittsburgh 2-5
Toronto 1-6

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

Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Long Island -
3 - Halifax +1
4 - Louisville -1
5 - Providence +3
6 - London -
7 - Ottawa -2
8 - Montreal -1
9 - Boston +1
10 - Indiana -1
11 - Pittsburgh -
12 - Toronto -

Week 8 Games
PRO (4-3) @ OTT (4-3) - AUG 10 - 7 PM ET - Thursday Night Football
IND (2-5) @ HFX (4-3) - AUG 11 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
LI (5-2) @ LOU (4-3) - AUG 12 - 3 PM ET
BUF (6-1) @ PIT (2-5) - AUG 12 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
*BUF Clinches Playoff Spot with Win + LDN Loss
LDN (3-4) @ MTL (4-3) - AUG 13 - 1 PM ET
BOS (3-4) @ TOR (1-6) - AUG 13 - 4 PM ET

1967 Week 8
TRANSACTIONS
BUF: DL Dennis Hughes - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
BUF: DL Nicholas Patterson - Reserve List -> Active Roster
LI: RB Scott Norton - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
LI: RB Joseph Van Horne - Waivers -> Active Roster
OTT: TE Ryan Hatcher - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
OTT: TE Ross Hämäläinen - Free Agent -> Signed

Ottawa Royals - 23, Providence Gold Stars - 20 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - August 10, 1967 - 7 PM ET - TNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
10-0 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
2nd Q
10-7 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Owen Paisley
17-7 OTT - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> WR Colby Bancana
17-10 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
3rd Q
20-10 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
20-13 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
4th Q
20-20 PRO - RTD RB Rashed Smith
23-20 OTT - FG K Ira Foster

The Royals bounced back from a 3-game losing streak to take an important win at home against the Gold Stars. 
The offence managed to be more consistent than they have been in recent weeks with a steady flow of scoring throughout the game.
The defence also continued to be an important factor with a tipped pass from DL Bernhard Hartmann landing in the arms of LB Enzo Morello led to a huge touchdown in the second quarter.
Providence’s 3-game win streak comes to an end as their offence was having trouble against the feisty Royals defence.
4 turnovers overall did not help the team in pursuit of another win.

Halifax Mariners - 23, Indiana Victors - 27 - Atlantic Stadium - August 11, 1967 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
3-7 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
2nd Q
10-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
10-10 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
10-17 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> TE Emmanuel Hines
3rd Q
17-17 HFX - RTD RB Ronald O’Sullivan
20-17 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
20-20 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4th Q
23-20 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
23-27 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green

The Victors finally came out on top in one of their many close games this season.
A late touchdown from RB Raymond Green was enough to get the Victors in the win column. 
They still once again had some moments that could have thrown the game away with a huge interception thrown to DB Aquilio Ruiz that set up a potentially game-winning field goal, along with a turnover on downs after QB Jimm Kidd bobbled the snap on a 3rd and Inches attempt earlier in the second half.
Halifax had their hand on the victory, but their defence could not find an answer to the Victors' offence on the final drive which cost them a much-needed victory.

Louisville Thunder - 24, Long Island Raiders - 24 - OT - Thunder Stadium - August 12, 1967 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
0-7 LI- RTD RB Dareion Fields
7-7 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
2nd Q
14-7 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
14-10 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
3rd Q
17-10 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
17-17 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
4th Q
17-24 LI - PTD QB Stanley Troyer -> TE Christopher Gist
24-24 LOU - QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
Overtime
No Score

The Thunder and Raiders had the league’s first tie since Boston and Montreal tied in week 10 of the 1964 season.
WR Casey Coleman torched his old team for a pair of touchdowns, including the game-tying score to force overtime, in probably one of the best performances of his career.
The Raiders also used a weapon that they received from the Thunder, with TE Christopher Gist scoring a touchdown on a play-action play.
Once the game got to overtime, the Raiders’ defence stepped up and were able to shut down the Thunder offence, however, their own offence struggled to move the ball at all and couldn’t score leaving the game tied.

Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 31, Buffalo Blue Wings - 41 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - August 12, 1967 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
7-3 PIT - RTD RB Carter Roy
2nd Q
7-10 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
10-10 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
10-13 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
17-13 PIT - PTD QB Magnus Torrensen -> WR Taylor Austin
3rd Q
17-20 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemiuex -> WR Jimmy Jack
24-20 PIT - PTD QB Magnus Torrensen -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
24-27 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
4th Q
24-34 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
24-41 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
31-41 PIT - PTD QB Magnus Torrensen -> TE Bobby Clark

Pittsburgh put up a decent fight against the Blue Wings in a game that was expected to be a bloodbath, keeping it to a 3-point game heading into the final quarter.
Unfortunately for the Blacksmiths, the Blue Wings would have enough with the funny business and would score a pair of touchdowns in the 4th quarter to make it a 17-point game.
Pittsburgh did get a touchdown back to TE Bobby Clark, but the Blue Wings were just that much better.
With the win, the Blue Wings have a shot at being the first to clinch a playoff spot if the Tigers fall to the Rouge on Sunday.

Montreal Rouge - 30, London Tigers - 22 - Mount Royal Stadium - August 13, 1967 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
7-3 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
14-3 MTL - DTD INT S Garet deVale
2nd Q
14-6 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
17-6 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
17-12 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
3rd Q
17-15 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
24-15 MTL - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
27-15 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
4th Q
27-22 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
30-22 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger

The Tigers dropped their 4th straight game, which put them way on the back foot in the West Division.
Early mistakes from QB Riley Kiernan led to the team falling into an early 14-3 hole.
He was able to rebound a bit to get the Tigers back into the game, however, the Rouge fed off of their home crowd and they would keep ahead throughout the game.
Montreal was not expected to be 5-3 at this point with their weaker defence, but HC Jimmy Sargent has been able to get the defence to buy into his system and they have overcome the skill gap and keep the team winning games, while their offence continues to score at will.
*Buffalo clinches a playoff spot

Toronto Steelheads - 25, Boston Independents - 20 - Anderson Stadium - August 13, 1967 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
3-3 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
2nd Q
3-6 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
10-6 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
3rd Q
10-13 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Alexei Dubois
17-13 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
18-13 TOR - Single K Bob Randall
4th Q
25-13 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
25-20 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Evan Clanton

The Steelheads took advantage of the Independents’ weaker front 7 and let RB Max Tracy pound the rock, putting up 3 touchdowns to get the team’s second win of the season.
The Steelheads also got a strong performance from their defence to give the Independents some trouble throughout the game with DL Johnathan Ellison getting to QB Nathaniel Braddock several times.
Boston takes a brutal loss with this one, which really puts them in a very deep hole in the East Division which is very competitive.
Braddock continued to express frustration, especially when the O-line struggled to protect him.

Injury Report
OL Andrew Parsley IND - Day-to-Day
LB Sam Wheeler OTT - 6 Weeks
DL Keith Gavelstein OTT - 1 Week

Players of the Week
OFF: RB Max Tracy TOR - 3 Rushing Touchdowns, 175 Rushing Yards
DEF: DL Bernhard Hartmann OTT - 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Sack, 1 Pass Deflected, 4 Tackles

Standings
WEST
Buffalo 7-1 -x
Louisville 4-3-1
Indiana 3-5
London 3-5
Pittsburgh 2-6
Toronto 2-6

EAST
Long Island 5-2-1
Ottawa 5-3
Montreal 5-3
Halifax 4-4
Providence 4-4
Boston 3-5

Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Long Island -
3 - Halifax -
4 - Louisville -
5 - Ottawa +2
6 - Montreal +2
7 - Providence -2
8 - Indiana +2
9 - London -3
10 - Boston -1
11 - Pittsburgh -
12 - Toronto -

Week 9 Games
OTT (5-3) @ LDN (3-5) - AUG 18 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
PIT (2-6) @ BOS (3-5) - AUG 19 - 12 PM ET
PRO (4-4) @ IND (3-5) - AUG 19 - 3:30 PM ET
LI (5-2-1) @ BUF (7-1) - AUG 19 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
*BUF clinches West Division with a Win + LOU Loss
HFX (4-4) @ LOU (4-3-1) - AUG 20 - 1 PM ET
TOR (2-6) @ MTL (5-3) - AUG 20 - 4 PM ET

Trade Deadline Preview

Trade Bait
1 - OL Benedict Benedicto - PIT - Age: 28 - Contract: 1Y, $14,000
2 - OL Richard Justice - TOR - Age: 30 - Contract: 1Y, $17,000
3 - DL Lawrence Armstrong - TOR - Age: 33 - Contract: 1Y, $24,000 - NTC
4 - DB Peter Lee - OTT - Age: 30 - Contract: 1Y, $10,000
5 - WR Sam Nash - BOS - Age: 30 - Contract: 1Y, $12,000
6 - LB Killian Reed - BOS - Age: 32 - Contract: 1Y, $12,000
7 - DL Theo Conte - IND - Age: 32 - Contract: 1Y, $14,000
8 - DL Remington Hart BOS - Age: 32 - Contract: 1Y, $12,500
9 - RB Stavros Black - PIT - Age: 32 - Contract: 1Y, $15,000 - NTC
10 - RB Ronald Kociba - IND - Age: 28 - Contract: 1Y, $10,500
11 - LB Damien Savoie - MTL - Age: 29 - Contract: 1Y, $9,000
12 - OL Brian O’Leary - LI - Age: 30 - Contract: 1Y, $17,000
13 - RB Lukas Ivarsson - TOR -  Age: 28 - Contract: 1Y, $14,000
14 - WR Max Sutton - LDN - Age: 32 - Contract: 1Y, $25,000 - NTC
15 - QB Robert Humphrey LDN - Age: 34 - Contract: 1Y, $12,000

Boston Independents - Reluctant Seller - Cap Space: $8,000
Boston’s season had not gone their way, so they may be faced with trading veterans to get picks
Wants: Young WR, Young OL, Young DL, Draft Picks

Buffalo Blue Wings - Quiet Buyer - Cap Space: $10,000
The current front runners feel pretty good about their roster, they will likely be looking for a DL to help with depth with Dennis Hughes done for the season.
Wants: DL Depth, DB Depth

Halifax Mariners - Aggressive Buyers - Cap Space: $4,500
Halifax’s 4-4 start is not great, but they know Lyle Painter is getting older, and they want to win now, so they could be looking for anything to add to their team
Wants: Starting DL, Backup RB, Depth LB

Indiana Victors - Buyer disguised as a Seller - Cap Space: $32,500
Indy’s tough start does make it seem like they could sell, however, they have some strong assets which could turn into helpful pieces for a push this season.
Wants: Starting OL, Backup QB, Young DB

London Tigers - Aggressive Buyer or Content Seller - Cap Space: $28,500
GM Joseph Johnson could go either way at this point, but with Kiernan getting older, it may be the right time to make an aggressive push.
Wants: Starting/Young DL, Depth DL, Starting/Young WR, Depth OL, Draft Picks

Long Island Raiders - Aggressive Buyers - Cap Space: $9,500
The Raiders have already made a big move, but with the team looking like the favourite to come out of the East, they may find themselves looking for more.
Wants: Starting/Young OL, Depth LB, Depth DB, Depth RB

Louisville Thunder - Aggressive - Cap Space: $9,000
GM Robbie Wilson is likely going to be aggressive, just whether that means buying for a playoff push or selling to continue the rebuild.
Wants: Starting OL, Starting DL, Depth DB, Draft Picks

Montreal Rouge - Quiet Buyer or Quiet Seller - Cap Space: $38,500
GM Martin Gagneaux showed that he wanted to do a slight retool, however, the team remains in playoff contention, at this point, it is expected Montreal will be pretty quiet.
Wants: Defensive Depth, Young Defensive Players, Draft Picks

Ottawa Royals - Buyer - Cap Space: $114,500
GM Jon Neal hoped the team would be in contention for a playoff spot after 3 rebuilding seasons. If they feel like the group has a shot, they could easily make some moves to improve the team.
Wants: Starting DL, Depth LB, Depth OL, Backup QB

Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - Busy Seller - Cap Space: $112,500
Pittsburgh has a lot of veterans that could be favoured targets at the deadline which may lead to a plethora of phone calls coming their way.
Wants: 1st-3rd Round Draft Picks, Promising Prospects

Providence Gold Stars - Buyer - Cap Space: $6,500
The Gold Stars have been up and down, but it is no secret the team wants to be at the top. If HC Garrett Boone wants someone, I am sure GM Peter Brooks will be making some calls.
Wants: Starting OL, Backup RB, Depth LB, Clear Cap Space

Toronto Steelheads - Seller - Cap Space: $62,500
It is clear that the rebuild has begun in Toronto, so they will be a team looking to move veteran pieces at the deadline to pick up draft capital and young players.
Wants: Draft Picks, Young WR, Young DB

Trade Deadline Build-Up - Part 1

Sunday, August 13, 1967 - 8:09 PM - 1 Hour After Toronto’s Win over Boston - Toronto, ON
DL Lawrence Armstrong had been dealing with a dilemma throughout the weekend. Would he agree to get traded? If he did, where would he go? Of course, he had heard some rumours, but he knew he could be moved when HC Ronald Martin gave him a pretty casual message about him being talked about in deals. He was told to visit GM Howard Stinton’s office after the game, but he took his time and had arrived as late as possible dreading the whole thing. 

Stinton: “Hi Lawrence, I see you aren’t the most pleased, but we believe that moving you could be the best thing for this team to get younger and better.”

Armstrong: *Doesn’t even make eye contact*

Stinton: “Look, you have an NTC, we can’t move you without your permission. However, we feel it would be best for you to go and compete and for us to get younger.”

Armstrong was not too pleased following Stinton’s comments, but sighed and asked, “Where?”

Stinton: “Well, there’s interest, but two teams have really made a push. That would be Ottawa and Halifax. More so Halifax. Could be a really good return, we’re talking 1st Round Pick.”

Armstrong was a little ticked off at this point, especially with the lack of information from Stinton and Ronald Martin. He had gone in expecting to just say no to trades. However, the whole situation was just frustrating. So, Armstrong made a decision.

Armstrong: “Send me to Ottawa”

Stinton (Shocked): “Really? I mean Halifax has offered a much better…”

Armstrong: “Ottawa. That’s final”

Armstrong not only wanted to force Toronto to get a lesser deal but also, Ottawa was still close and he could still see his family while finishing the season in Toronto.

Stinton tried to get more out of the Royals, but ultimately they came to an agreement that saw the Royals get DL Lawrence Armstrong in exchange for a 3rd Round Pick and WR Luc St. Cyr. They would have likely gotten a 1st and a prospect from the Mariners. 

The deal helps the Royals significantly boost their D-line for the homestretch at a pretty cheap price.
Monday, August 14, 1967

1:45 PM ET - Conference Room in Pittsburgh, PA
There had been a lot of talk about OL Benedict Benedicto getting moved. 5 teams had made offers. Those clubs were Boston, Indiana, Long Island, Louisville, and Providence. The Victors came really close to re-acquiring Benedicto after losing him to the expansion draft, however, GM Robbie Wilson was able to sneak in and give a slightly better offer to grab the OL. 

Pittsburgh GM Cooper Ellington: “I’m liking what Indy’s offering, a 3rd and (OL Andrew) Parsley is a solid offer, do we call Louisville back one more time?”

Assistant GM Hal Johnston: *Nods* “Let’s give it a shot at least”

Ellington: “Okay here we go”

Louisville GM Robbie Wilson: “Hello?”

Ellington: “Hey Robbie, we got another deal we may take from Indy, but I wanted to give you one last chance to talk before we go through it”

Wilson: “What are they offering??”

Ellington: “A 2nd plus a decent OL prospect, It’s gonna be pretty tight.”

Wilson: “Okay we can do a 2nd… *Mumbling* …and how about the rights to Wide Receiver Sergio Flores…we took him with the first pick in the 4th Round this year…he’s very athletic, lots of promise… of course, along with Randy (OL Randall Graham) still”

Ellington was pleased to get the 2nd along with some young help and would go on to accept the deal giving the Thunder a starting OL to help with the playoff push, while the Blacksmiths got younger.


3:30 PM ET - Boston Independents' Front Office, Richardson Stadium, Boston, MA
GM Allen Hutchinson of Boston was one of the many that was trying to land Benedicto, but after that deal fell through, he changed the plan and Boston went into seller mode. However, it was a very mild sale. The team only made one trade during the deadline, which was with the Blue Wings. 

Hutchinson and Buffalo GM Reginald McMahon stayed on the phone for 30 minutes trying to work out the deal which originally was going to be a 4th for DL Remington Hart, but by the end of the deal, it would be a lot more than that. Buffalo would acquire both DL Remington Hart and LB Killian Reed, both Boston natives, in exchange for a 1969 3rd Round Pick, WR prospect Jimmy Franks, and LB Brady O’Connor. This deal helps Buffalo with their depth. Reed could step in to improve the LB core, while Hart will fill the roster spot of the recently injured DL Dennis Hughes.


4:24 PM ET - Office of GM Peter Brooks, Providence, RI
GM Peter Brooks was facing some pressure to make moves from his head coach, Garrett Boone. Unfortunately, the Gold Stars were not in any position to make anything happen due to their bad cap situation. Brooks was looking to move some high-cap-hit players. This included LB Wilson Rockwood-Barnes, who they traded for at the draft, and veteran DL Calias McDonough. He had worked all day Monday with the Royals to have a deal in place, that would send both players to Ottawa in exchange for WR Stuart Smalls, DL Keith Gavelstein, and a 4th or 5th round pick. The only thing he had to do was get McDonough to waive his no-trade clause. McDonough arrived in his office just after the team’s Monday practice.

McDonough: “Hey Petes!”

Brooks: “Hi, so um…I’ve got a tough situation here… we need cap-space and well I’m looking to move some expensive pieces. You would be one of them. I’ve got a deal in place with the Royals, it just needs your approval.”

McDonough: “Okay, I know last time we talked you were going to be looking for deals…I have talked with my family and well I think as much as I know it would help, I don’t think we want to go anywhere. We love it here in Providence, so I’m going to have to say no.”

Brooks: “Sure. Okay thanks for letting me know, glad to still have you here then”

Brooks was both frustrated from the pressure but relieved he didn’t have to trade a former teammate of his. He sat back down and had to call Ottawa again.

No Other Trades were made ahead of the deadline day.

Trade Deadline Day - Radio Program hosted by Jerry Goldbridge 

9:30 AM ET
Jerry Goldbridge: “Good Morning Football fans! Welcome to what is expected to be a crazy day in the world of football. I am Jerry Goldbridge and I am at the NAAF’s main office in Ottawa, Ontario, today, and I am going to be breaking the trades that happen as they come, not only for the fans of the game but for the teams, so they know what is happening around the league. I am also joined by former NAAF players, OL Kevin Holcombs and QB Angelo Medina. Now let’s start the day with the trades from yesterday…” 

10:03 AM ET 
Goldbridge: “Alright here we go, our first trade of the day. The Ottawa Royals have acquired LB Wilson Rockwood-Barnes from the Providence Gold Stars in exchange for WR Stuart Smalls. Quite interesting to see the one-for-one deal here.”

Medina: “It certainly is, I like this move for both teams. For Ottawa, it helps fill the spot left open by LB Sam Wheeler’s injury, but also allows them to make room to keep the surprising rookie of WR Ferdinand Matthews on the roster with WR Piers Key expected to return to the lineup this week. As for Providence, it just opens up some cap space and adds some depth to their receiving core.” 

Holcombs: “See I agree with that, but I get concerned here with Providence and their GM Peter Brooks, since they gave up the 6th overall pick just to bring Rockwood-Barnes to the team and now give him up for an alright depth receiver. That seems a little concerning to me.” 

Goldbridge: “Well, the Gold Stars did still get the 11th pick in return in the earlier Rockwood-Barnes deal, so it is not the worst move in the world if you look at it that way.” 


10:32 AM ET
Holcombs: “Look, I’ll admit when I was in the league, I ate burgers all the time. You know, this one time…” 

Goldbridge: “Okay Kevin, I will stop you there. We have our second trade of the day and this is a shocker. The Indiana Victors have acquired OL Richard Justice, in exchange for OL Andrew Parsley and their 2nd round pick in 1968. There were talks that Indy was in on OL Benedict Benedicto, who was traded to Louisville yesterday, so it seems they went for plan B.” 

Holcombs: “Wow, you said Andrew Parsley?... That’s a big guy for Toronto. He was taken 13th overall just last season, so he is young and has potential. Not to mention, I remember Toronto being quite high on him, but just didn’t have the pick to get him. You add the 2nd rounder and that’s a good haul.” 

Medina: “I agree for sure, but also a great move for Indy as well. With OL Taylor Alexander done for the season, they need a solidified starter to step up on the line and that’s what Justice brings to this team. However, I do get worried about moving such a high-profile prospect in this move." 

Holcombs: "I would agree, but they have taken a lot of offensive linemen over the years, including TJ Overton in the first round this year, so they got some wiggle room at that position I would say.” 


11:15 AM ET 
Medina: “Like I never thought anyone would have thought to do that with the McCallister Cup, but well it happened.” 

Goldbridge: “Kuregs, was quite the personality…however, we do have a trade to announce. *ahem* The Halifax Mariners have acquired LB Collin Knight from the London Tigers in exchange for DL Martin Garfield and a 4th Round Pick in 1969. Well, the first thing I pick out is the higher salary of Garfield heading out of Halifax.” 

Holcombs: “That’s exactly what I was thinking. The move should open up more space for the Mariners to make moves. I don’t think they are done yet today.” 

Medina: “Well it is a good cap-freeing move, but it still helps the Tigers. These guys have needed so much help on the D-line, so they are getting that help along with taking on the cap-hit, in addition to the pick they’re getting as well.” 


1:08 PM ET 
Goldbridge: “Wow Kevin, you really enjoyed that burger…you got a lot of sauce still on your face.” 

Holcombs: “ *laughs* I always say, a good mess, means good food.” 

Goldbridge: “Alright, we have another trade that must be announced. We got the Raiders’ acquiring LB Damien Savoie from the Montreal Rouge in exchange for a 3rd Round Pick in 1968 and LB Greg Manson. Interesting move from Montreal moving a starting LB for a backup and a pick.” 

Holcombs: “I’m scratching my head, Jerry. These guys are 5-3, they’re 1-point back of the division lead and they are downgrading? It doesn’t make sense. Mr. Gagneaux has got to be in a real comfortable spot as the GM as they are throwing away a title window.” 

Medina: “There’s got to be more to it than that. Montreal has clearly been in a transitional period with getting younger on the defence. While the older guys are still filtering out. I think Gagneaux saw the writing on the wall and has decided to take action instead of letting his team fall into a slow decline, as we have seen from veterans like DB Quentin Xavier and LB Sam Fitzroy.” 


1:34 PM ET 
Goldbridge: “Okay, we got a small move here. The Ottawa Royals have acquired QB Robert Humphrey from the London Tigers in exchange for a 4th Round Pick in 1968 and DB Billy Bass. Looks like Ottawa is grabbing some extra insurance behind Michael Benedict with this move.” 

Medina: “It's a small move, but it’s a smart one from Ottawa. Look, they don’t feel confident in the younger guys behind Benedict, but they don’t want to bring a young QB like Magnus Torrensen to upset Benedict, so they bring in a veteran in Humphrey that isn’t going to cause drama.” 

Holcombs: “It’s a good move, I’ll agree, and well, the Royals have spent their picks well too. Despite trading a 3rd and 4th so far this week, they still have a 3rd rounder from Buffalo and a 4th rounder from Montreal in this year's draft so they have the extra picks to spend.” 


3:30 PM ET - An Hour and a Half to the Deadline 
Meanwhile in Pittsburgh… 

GM Cooper Ellington: “Hey Stavs, How’s it going?” 

RB Stavros Black: “Good, good…I presume you asked me here to talk trades?” 

Ellington: “Yes... as we discussed before I would look to see if there was interest for you in the league and hope to find a competitive team to send you to. There’s a bit of interest for a leader like you, but we have narrowed it down to 3 teams with offers. That would be: Halifax, Long Island, and Providence…Obviously, all 3 are teams trying to win, so in any case, they all offer you that much. Sure there are deals I prefer, but the decision is yours.” 

Black: “Thank you for being so upfront about this, Coop. Give me a few minutes to talk to my wife and I’ll let you know.” 

Ellington: “Sounds good, we just got to make a call soon.” Black steps out of the room where his wife is waiting in the hallway. 

Black: "Hey Honey. So we got 3-ish options: Long Island, Providence, and Halifax.” 

Mrs. Black: “You really want to go to Providence?” 

Black: “Haha, yeah, not really. Honestly, Long Island gives the best shot to win I suppose.” 

Mrs. Black: “But you loved Halifax and want to go back there?” 

Black: “You know me a little too well. Haha. Yea, I think that just feels right. *Sigh* Okay, well I’ll let Coop know.” 

3:40 PM ET - Back on the Radio Show 
Holcombs: “*YAWN* Anything new Jerry?”

Goldbridge: “I haven’t seen our friend here in a minute. It has been now 2 hours since we have seen trade and only an hour and 20 minutes to the deadline… Oh, excuse me... thank you… well looks like we have some excitement. Ahh, Kevin, your prediction that Halifax was not done today has come true…The Halifax Mariners have acquired DL Theo Conte and a 5th Round Pick in 1968 from the Indiana Victors in exchange for a pair of prospects in WR Perry Francoise and LB Buddy Harwick.” 

Holcombs: “Ah Jerry, I know what I’m talking about. Honestly, a bit of an underwhelming move from the Mariners. Conte is a good, cheaper option, but you think they would get a better player with the space they made with the Garfield trade earlier.” 

Medina: “Well, let’s not discount Conte here. This guy is pretty sturdy and has been solid throughout his career. I think it’s a slight upgrade over Garfield who has struggled this season. We got to remember that Halifax is not a guaranteed playoff team, so this is a pretty safe move.” 


3:55 PM ET 
Holcombs: “I don’t know Angelo, I just think Halifax has so much potential and they got to go for it while they got the team to win.” 

Goldbridge: “Okay okay, sorry to interject, but we have yet another trade to announce. Once again, the Halifax Mariners are making moves. The Mariners have re-acquired RB Stavros Black from the Pittsburgh Blacksmiths in exchange for RB Alex Warren and a 4th Round Pick in 1968.” 

Holcombs: “Well, that trade still does not tell me that you're a contender. I do think Stavros Black brings that leadership and experience to the team, but they need to make something bigger happen.”  

Medina: “I do agree with Kevin, that this trade probably doesn’t make Halifax that much better overall, but I do think that Stavros Black is one of the most underrated running backs in the league. He works hard and keeps leading even from the sideline, hence why he still was wearing the "C" for the Blacksmiths this season.” 


4:30 PM ET - Meanwhile in Providence 
Providence HC Garrett Boone: “How are we so behind the curve on all of these trades?” 

GM Peter Brooks: “I’m struggling Garrett. I don’t know how to get more pieces without throwing away players you like. I’ve tried to go after (OL Benedict) Benedicto, (LB Killian) Reed, and (RB Stavros) Black. I even tried to get more from Ottawa, but Calias wanted to stay so I couldn’t move him. I’ve done what I can, but again we have a good team, I don’t think we need to sacrifice everything just to add one or two guys, especially when we are 4-4.” 

Boone: “Yea, but we are 4-4, we need more to be better, Pete. There’s gotta be someone out there, a team that wants to move somebody, just for anything. We have a bit of a hole within the LB core without Rocky (Wilson Rockwood-Barnes), at least get me a linebacker.” 

Brooks: “Okay I’ll see what I can do, but I got to act quick, no promises.” 

4:59 PM ET 
Goldbridge: “Well, we are a few moments from the deadline passing. There could be a couple of trades being processed by the league yet, so we will stick around for a bit until we have all the trades covered…. it appears to be 5 PM and the deadline is passed… oh and here comes some trade information…

Alright, we got a small trade between the Steelheads and Tigers. Toronto has acquired DL Peter Mongoose from London in exchange for WR Russell Leman.” 

Medina: “Seems like a roster move here between these two teams. I was looking over the Tigers roster and noticed they had an extra defensive lineman after acquiring Martin Garfield earlier today. So, moving Mongoose to Toronto for at least something prevents London from losing him through waivers.” 


Holcombs: “It’s been quite a day, but the one thing is on my mind. Where is Providence? I can’t believe they would move Wilson Rockwood-Barnes to clear cap-space and not make another move.” 

Goldbridge: “Well Kevin, I do have the final trade of the day that has just come in and Providence has made a move. The Gold Stars have acquired LB Caruso Robinson from the Steelheads in exchange for WR Antonio Falcone and a 5th Round Pick in 1969.” 

Holcombs: “That’s it? Huh. I mean they’re not spending much, but I suppose that adds a cheaper linebacker to the lineup.” 

Medina: “I think this is a pretty lateral move overall for Providence. They got rid of Wilson Rockwood-Barnes for WR Depth, and then replaced him with Robinson, who is yes younger, but also not anything spectacular or game-changing. I suppose we do have to remember they are still only 4-4 and a dramatic move could be catastrophic for the future." 


Goldbridge: “Alright, well anyways, I hope everyone out there listening in enjoyed the show. Only 4 weeks remain in the NAAF season. Everything is just getting more exciting. The next game is this Friday. The Tigers will host the Royals on Friday Night Football, as an all-Canadian battle will kick off week 9 of the NAAF season. On behalf of Kevin Holcombs and Angelo Medina, I am Jerry Goldbridge, and we are signing off.”

1967 Week 9


Roster Moves
BOS: DL Perry Karl - Reserve List -> Active Roster
BUF: DL Nicolas Patterson - Active Roster -> Waivers
IND: DL Ron Prumple - Reserve List -> Active Roster
LDN: LB Willis Patrick - Reserve List -> Active Roster
LDN: QB Jimmy House - Reserve List -> Active Roster
OTT: WR Piers Key - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
OTT: LB Sam Wheeler - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
OTT: DL Leoric Rensfield - Active Roster -> Waivers
OTT: QB Martin Keller - Active Roster -> Reserve List
PIT: DB Howard Janney - Reserve List -> Waivers for Purpose of Release
TOR: LB Ronald Palmer - Reserve List -> Active Roster

LOU: DB Howard Janney - Waivers -> Reserve List

London Tigers - 23, Ottawa Royals - 14 - Western Fair Stadium - August 18, 1967 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy/Light Rain
1st Q
3-0 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
3-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
2nd Q
10-3 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> TE Tranquille Rousseau
10-4 OTT - Single K Ira Foster
10-11 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
3rd Q
17-11 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
20-11 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
4th Q
20-14 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
23-14 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth

The Tigers ended their 4 game slide with an important win in the rain over the Royals.
The game was a bit of a kicking battle between Nimrod Handsworth and Ira Foster, but the true difference ended up being RB Austin Andrew’s touchdown in the 3rd quarter.
Kiernan didn’t have an interception in the game for one of his better performances of the season, while QB Michael Benedict did struggle a little with a pick and a fumble on the day.
Ottawa was still able to cause some issues for the Tigers with 3 forced fumbles, LB Enzo Morello, DB Jerome Caldwell, and DL Zane Tannith were the ones to knock the ball loose.
Unfortunately, the Royals had 4 turnovers in total which pretty much negated the fumbles.

Boston Independents - 35, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 20 - Richardson Stadium - August 19, 1967 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Evan Clanton
14-0 BOS - RTD RB Tresean Jones
2nd Q
14-3 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
21-3 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Evan Clanton
21-10 PIT - RTD RB Carter Roy
3rd Q
21-13 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
28-13 BOS - DTD INT DB Oliver Langstrom
4th Q
28-20 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Jack Duncan
35-20 BOS - RTD RB Tresean Jones

The Independents continued their somewhat consistent stretch of win-loss-win-loss over their last 8 games.
Braddock looks calm and collected throughout this one, which may have been due to playing the struggling Blacksmiths’ defence and being ahead from start to finish.
QB Louis Vaughn was back to starting over QB Magnus Torrensen after back-to-back losses for Torrensen.
Vaughn still had 2 interceptions, but he was playing one of the best secondaries in the league for what it's worth; Vaughn still threw for a touchdown in an attempt to get the team back into the game late. 

Indiana Victors - 20, Providence Gold Stars - 31 - Victory Stadium - August 19, 1967 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
7-3 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
7-10 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Owen Paisley
2nd Q
10-10 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
17-10 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Denis Langlois
3rd Q
17-17 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Cedric Peterson
20-17 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4th Q
20-24 PRO - RTD RB Rashed Smith
20-31 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Cedric Peterson

Providence rolled into Indianapolis and came away with a massive win over the Victors. 
Connor O’Rourke’s 3 touchdowns help the Gold Stars improve to 5-4 and keep themselves right in the hunt for the playoffs and give them an upper hand on Indy for a potential crossover spot.
Indiana did keep it close, but a 4th quarter interception by DB Neville Falkner allowed the Gold Stars to take the 31-20 lead late in the game.
It’s overall a tough loss to take for Indiana, another frustrating one that will certainly put them in a deep hole where winning is mandatory from here on out.

Buffalo Blue Wings - 27, Long Island Raiders - 16 - Milton Charles Stadium - August 19, 1967 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
2nd Q
7-3 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
14-3 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
14-10 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
3rd Q
17-10 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
20-10 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
20-13 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
4th Q
20-16 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
27-16 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden

A game many figured would be a good look at a McCallister Cup preview did not go as well as hoped.
The Blue Wings controlled the game from start to finish, holding onto the lead following a touchdown on their first offensive position.
The Raiders’ defence did what they could against one of the most consistent offences in the league, but were no match while their offence sputtered.
QB Stanley Troyer really struggled in this one, especially late when the team needed to start to throw the ball more; he ended the game with 2 interceptions and 112 passing yards.
The loss for the Raiders only makes the East that much closer with 3 weeks to go, no one is guaranteed to make the playoffs.
As for Buffalo, they are just a Louisville loss away from locking up the West Division.

Louisville Thunder - 19, Halifax Mariners - 14 - Thunder Stadium - August 20, 1967 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy/Light Rain
1st Q
7-0 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
2nd Q
10-0 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
10-7 HFX - RTD RB Ronald O’Sullivan
3rd Q
10-14 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
4th Q
12-14 LOU - Safety DL Bjorn Sigmarsson
19-14 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Carter Henderson

Louisville got an important win at home to prevent the Blue Wings from clinching the West Division.
A huge safety from DL Bjorn Sigmarsson shifted the game heavily in their favour, as they would go on to score a touchdown on the following drive to put the game out of reach. 
The Mariners suffered a bone-crushing loss that will put them on the back foot heading into the final 2 games of the season, but they aren’t out of the running yet.
Their defence was still solid overall creating 3 turnovers, but their offence had their own troubles late that prevented them from answering the Thunder safety and touchdown.

Montreal Rouge - 17, Toronto Steelheads - 3 - Mount Royal Stadium - August 20, 1967 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
2nd Q
14-0 MTL - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
3rd Q
4th Q
14-3 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
17-3 MTL - FG K Athur Kettinger

The Rouge handed the Steelheads their 7th loss of the season while jumping themselves to the top of the East Division.
The Sunday afternoon battle was certainly not an exciting one, as the Steelheads’ offence had one of their worst performances of the season mainly due to their now even weaker OL due to the loss of OL Richard Justice. 
Montreal’s D-line had a field day chasing after veteran QB Todd Baker on almost every pass attempt, frankly it was a miracle Baker was able to get the team into scoring range in the 4th quarter.

Injury Report
LB Garrett Larson BOS - 2 Weeks
S Jack Simon BOS - Day-to-Day
DB Ezra Power BUF - Day-to-Day
WR Orlando Barrack IND - Day-to-Day
LB Mike Francis IND - 4 Weeks
LB George Yokoi LDN - Day-to-Day
WR Kyle Hatherly TOR - 3 Weeks
TE Jesse Butler TOR - 1 Week

Players of the Week
OFF: QB Connor O’Rourke PRO - 3 Passing Touchdowns, 245 Passing Yards
DEF: DL Bjorn Sigmarsson LOU - 1 Safety, 2 Sacks, 5 Tackles

Standings
WEST
Buffalo 8-1 -x
Louisville 5-3-1
London 4-5
Indiana 3-6
Pittsburgh 2-7
Toronto 2-7

EAST
Montreal 6-3
Long Island 5-3-1
Ottawa 5-4
Providence 5-4
Halifax 4-5
Boston 4-5

Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo - 
2 - Long Island -
3 - Louisville +1
4 - Montreal -1
5 - Halifax -2
6 - Providence +1
7 - Ottawa -2
8 - London +1
9 - Boston +1
10 - Indiana -2
11 - Pittsburgh -
12 - Toronto -

Week 10 Games
BUF (8-1) @ OTT (5-4) - AUG 25 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
*BUF Clinches West Division with Win
LI (5-3-1) @ HFX (4-5) - AUG 26 - 12 PM ET
*LI Clinches Playoff spot with Win + BOS Loss + LDN Loss
MTL (6-3) @ IND (3-6) - AUG 26 - 3:30 PM ET
*MTL Clinches Playoff Spot with Win + HFX Loss + BOS Loss + LDN Loss
LDN (4-5) @ LOU (5-3-1) - AUG 26 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
*LOU clinches playoff spot with Win
PIT (2-7) @ TOR (2-7) - AUG 27 - 1 PM ET
BOS (4-5) @ PRO (5-4) - AUG 27 - 4 PM ET

1967 Week 10
ROSTER MOVES
IND: LB Mike Francis - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
IND: LB Buddy Harwick - Reserve List -> Active Roster
TOR: WR Kyle Hatherly - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
TOR: WR Antonio Falcone - Reserve List -> Active Roster

Ottawa Royals - 31, Buffalo Blue Wings - 34 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - August 25, 1967 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
7-7 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
2nd Q
7-10 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
10-10 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3rd Q
10-17 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
10-20 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
17-20 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
17-27 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
4th Q
24-27 OTT - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> WR Colby Bancana
31-27 OTT - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> WR Piers Key
31-34 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack

An intense Friday Night battle came down to the wire between the Royals and the Blue Wings.
The first half was back-and-forth, with the teams trading scores to leave the game tied at 10 heading into the second half.
The offence turned up in the second half with RB Jimmy Golden scoring a pair of touchdowns in the 3rd quarter to give Buffalo a significant lead heading into the final quarter.
Ottawa made a march back in the final quarter, with a huge play made by WR Colby Bancana to pull the Royals within 3.
Then, it was DB Sergio Alvarez that picked off QB Charles Lemieux that allowed WR Piers Key to score his first touchdown of the season. 
Ottawa did their best to hold onto the lead late, however, Lemieux was just too good.
The Buffalo QB marched down the field to score the game-winning touchdown to WR Jimmy Jack.
With the win, the Blue Wings have officially locked up the West Division crown.

Halifax Mariners - 14, Long Island Raiders - 26 - Atlantic Stadium - August 26, 1967 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
7-3 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> RB Ronald O’Sullivan
2nd Q
7-10 LI - PTD QB Stanley Troyer -> TE Christopher Gist
7-17 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
7-20 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
3rd Q
14-20 HFX - RTD RB Ronald O’Sullivan
14-23 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
4th Q
14-26 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher

The Raiders topped the Mariners for the second time this season in what could be a season-ending defeat for the Mariners.
With the loss, the Mariners have dropped their past 3 contests and are now 4-6 and could find themselves almost too far back depending on the results from other games this week.
The team as a whole is scratching their heads over the second half of the season once again, as in games after week 6 over the past two seasons the Mariners are 2-8.
As for the Raiders, they keep themselves in the fight with Montreal for the East Division crown with the win.
K Henderson Schumacher, along with 4 turnovers caused by the defence, would be the big difference-maker in this showdown.

Indiana Victors - 38, Montreal Rouge - 29 - Victory Stadium - August 26, 1967 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Orlando Barrack
7-7 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
7-10 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
2nd Q
7-13 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
10-13 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
10-20 MTL - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
3rd Q
17-20 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
17-23 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
24-23 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
4th Q
31-23 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
31-29 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Yahui Sun
38-29 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Orlando Barrack

The Victors rebounded from their tough loss to the Gold Stars last week to pull off a strong win over the East Division-leading Rouge. 
Montreal seemed in control in the first half, but their defence collapsed in the second half with the Victors turning up the heat.
QB Tom Applewhite had a field day, throwing 4 touchdowns in the win, including an important score to start the second half on a 67-yard Edwards score.
Indiana’s win does keep them alive in the playoff hunt, but they are going to need some help to get themselves out of the hole they are in.
As for Montreal, the loss does sting as Long Island retakes the top spot in the East, but they still have a leg up on the other teams in the East.

Louisville Thunder - 30, London Tigers - 33 - Thunder Stadium - August 26, 1967 - 7 PM ET -  SNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
7-3 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
7-10 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
2nd Q
10-10 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
10-17 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Max Sutton
17-17 LOU - PTD QB  Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
3rd Q
17-20 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
20-20 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
20-27 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Joshua Lafleur
4th Q
20-30 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
27-30 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
30-30 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
30-33 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth

Saturday Night Football provided some spectacular fireworks in Louisville.
The first half was back and forth, with both teams putting up 17 before the half, as QB Buck Murphy was feeling it with a pair of touchdown passes.
The Tigers jumped out to a lead in the 3rd quarter with a Kiernan touchdown pass and Handsworth field goal.
Handsworth would extend the Tigers’ lead to 10-points in the final quarter, but Buck Murphy would lead the Thunder on a chargeback with a Casey Coleman touchdown and a game-tying field goal. 
However, QB Riley Kiernan would get the last laugh flashing his old self to lead the Tigers on a game-winning drive to prevent the Thunder from locking up a playoff spot and pull themselves within 1 point of Louisville in the standings.

Toronto Steelheads - 14, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 16 - Anderson Stadium - August 27, 1967 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
2nd Q
7-0 TOR - PTD QB Todd Baker -> WR Al Allmendinger
7-7 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
3rd Q
7-10 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
7-13 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
4th Q
14-13 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
14-16 PIT - FG K Al Highlander

Pittsburgh got their 3rd win of the season in a pretty sloppy battle of the league’s two bottom teams.
QB Todd Baker managed to throw just his second touchdown of the season, finding rookie WR Al Allmendinger for his first career touchdown.
QB Louis Vaughn was able to respond with his own touchdown and then managed to keep the Blacksmiths ahead up until the 4th quarter. 
The Steelheads took the lead in the final quarter, but Vaughn bounced back with a game-winning field goal drive. 

Providence Gold Stars - 17, Boston Independents - 28 - New Providence Stadium - August 27, 1967 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 PRO - RTD RB Rashed Smith
2nd Q
7-7 BOS - RTD RB Tresean Jones
10-7 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
3rd Q
10-14 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Alexei Dubois
10-21 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Felix Fontaine
17-21 PRO - RTD RB Rashed Smith
4th Q
17-28 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Alexei Dubois

Boston got their revenge on the Gold Stars to win back-to-back games for the first time this season. 
The second half was owned by Nathaniel Braddock, who threw for 3 touchdowns en route to the win over the Gold Stars.
In fact, the 4th quarter touchdown would prove to be important with Boston obtaining the tie-breaker on total points 42-41, adding on the fact they beat Ottawa earlier, Boston jumps from last in the East and into a playoff spot.
It was a tough game for QB Connor O’Rourke who didn’t have a touchdown pass in the game, but the team did see a strong output from RB Rashed Smith which helped them stay in the game.
DB Oliver Langstrom would pick up his 7th interception bringing him even with DB Neville Falkner on the season, the two DBs sit just one interception back of the league lead held by S Garet deVale of the Rouge.

Injury Report
WR Justin Dubuque PIT - 2 Weeks

Players of the Week
OFF: QB Tom Applewhite IND - 4 Passing Touchdowns, 367 Passing Yards
DEF: LB William Washington II LI - 11 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble

Standings
WEST
Buffalo 9-1 -y
Louisville 5-4-1
London 5-5
Indiana 4-6
Pittsburgh 3-7
Toronto 2-8

EAST
Long Island 6-3-1
Montreal 6-4
Boston 5-5
Ottawa 5-5
Providence 5-5
Halifax 4-6

Toronto is the only eliminated team, yes, Pittsburgh has a chance, but here is what needs to happen:
1 - Pittsburgh must Win both games against LDN and IND
2 - LDN must lose to TOR in Week 12
3 - IND must lose to LOU in Week 11
4 - BOS loses their remaining games
5 - PRO loses their remaining games and OTT beats HFX or OTT loses their remaining games and PRO beats HFX

That would put the Blacksmiths as the 3rd seed in the West and no East team would cross over due to a tied record. It’s a small chance, but it is one.

Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Long Island -
3 - Louisville -
4 - Montreal -
5 - London +3
6 - Boston +3
7 - Ottawa -
8 - Indiana +2
9 - Providence -3
10 - Halifax -5
11 - Pittsburgh -
12 - Toronto -

Week 11 Games
PIT (3-7) @ LDN (5-5) - SEP 1 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
*LDN clinches playoff spot with Win + IND Loss + 2 of BOS, OTT, or PRO to Lose
OTT (5-5) @ LI (6-3-1) - SEP 2 - 3 PM ET
*LI clinches playoff spot with Win
*LI clinches East Division with Win + MTL Loss
MTL (6-4) @ BOS (5-5) - SEP 2 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
*MTL clinches playoff spot with Win + OTT Loss or PRO Loss
HFX (4-6) @ PRO (5-5) - SEP 3 - 2 PM ET
TOR (2-8) @ BUF (9-1) - SEP 4 - 2 PM ET - Labour Day
LOU (5-4-1) @ IND (4-6) - SEP 4 - 6 PM ET - Labour Day
*LOU Clinches playoff spot with Win + LDN Loss

1967 Week 11

Roster Moves
PIT: WR Justin Dubuque - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
PIT: WR Aaron Hamur - Reserve List -> Active Roster

London Tigers - 28, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 7 - Western Fair Stadium - September 1, 1967 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Clear
1st Q
7-0 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Russell Wilcox
2nd Q
14-0 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
3rd Q
21-0 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
28-0 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Russell Wilcox
4th Q
28-7 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin

The Tigers knew they had to get a big win in Pittsburgh this weekend, so they swiftly put up 28 points in the first 3 quarters.
WR Russell Wilcox had his best game of the season, scoring a pair of touchdowns, to put him up to 3 on the season.
QB Riley Kiernan had a solid day with no interceptions while passing both touchdowns to Wilcox.
QB Louis Vaughn struggled throughout with the Tigers deploying an aggressive defensive game-plan that had him under pressure a lot.
Vaughn was only able to throw a late touchdown while being intercepted twice by DB Barnard Wilkins and S Neil Graham.

Long Island Raiders - 17, Ottawa Royals - 16 - Long Island Stadium - September 2, 1967 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
0-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3-3 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
2nd Q
3-10 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
10-10 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
3rd Q
10-13 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
4th Q
17-13 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
17-16 OTT - FG K Ira Foster

A defensive battle between the Royals and Raiders came down to the wire, but a RB Dareion Fields touchdown in the 4th quarter would prove to be the difference-maker.
Fields, who has been a little quiet in the last couple of games, came out to play against the Royals, rushing for 121 yards taking up 66% of the offensive yardage the Raiders had on the day.
As for the Royals, they drop their 3rd straight for the second time this season, as they are likely to fall short of the playoffs with one game remaining on the season.
The Royals’ defence had a strong day again, but their offence just could not get to the endzone despite having a decent game against the league’s #1 defence.
With the win, the Raiders become the second team in the league to clinch a playoff spot.

Boston Independents - 22, Montreal Rouge - 32 - Richardson Stadium - September 2, 1967 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 MTL - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
3-7 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
3-14 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
2nd Q
6-14 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
6-21 MTL - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
3rd Q
6-22 MTL - Single K Arthur Kettinger
12-22 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Felix Fontaine
19-22 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Alexei Dubois
4th Q
19-25 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
22-25 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
22-32 MTL - DTD INT S Garet deVale

A classic duel between Nathaniel Braddock and Gene Bishop was at the centre of a game with huge playoff implications.
Montreal was hungry right from the start with a pair of touchdowns in the 1st quarter to jump out to a 14-3 lead.
RB Hugo Hughes was having a great game to start and it got better when he added his second touchdown of the game to give Montreal the 21-6 lead at halftime.
The second half saw Nathaniel Braddock wake up and throw a pair of touchdowns to pull back to within 3-points of the Rouge heading into the final quarter.
The comeback was helped by a pair of interceptions from DB Oliver Langstrom and DB Lawrence Ralph.
After trading field goals, Boston was pressing to score and take the lead, but S Garet deVale would crush their hopes with his 3rd pick-6 of the season.
Since the Royals lost earlier in the week, the Rouge have now booked their ticket to the playoffs and still have a chance to win the division.
It could be the worst-case scenario for the Independents who will now have to go into Long Island and beat a team that may be trying to win the division and not resting anyone.
*Also with Boston’s loss the London Tigers have officially clinched a playoff spot.

Providence Gold Stars - 30, Halifax Mariners - 16 - New Providence Stadium - September 3, 1967 - 2 PM ET - Weather:  Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Owen Paisley
7-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> RB Ronald O’Sullivan
2nd Q
10-7 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
17-7 PRO - RTD RB Rashed Smith
3rd Q
24-7 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Owen Paisley
27-7 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
27-8 HFX - Single K Albert Wickerweaver
4th Q
27-14 HFX - RTD RB Ronald O’Sullivan
27-16 HFX - 2PT QB Lyle Painter -> WR Dwayne Alexander
30-16 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin

The Gold Stars rolled over the Mariners to grab an important win to put them in the driver's seat for a playoff spot. 
WR Owen Paisley led the way for the Gold Stars catching a pair of touchdowns in the win.
After scoring a game-tying touchdown in the first quarter, the Mariners’ offence was completely shut down leaving them in a 27-7 hole at one point, which was not helped by a pair of interceptions and fumbles from the Mariners’ offence.
Despite a late push in the 4th, the Mariners fall short and will miss the playoffs which will bring a lot of questions about the future of the front office. 

Buffalo Blue Wings - 33, Toronto Steelheads - 20 - Milton Charles Stadium - September 4, 1967 - 2 PM ET - Labour Day - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
7-3 BUF - RTD RB Théodore Lemieux
2nd Q
10-3 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
10-10 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
13-10 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
3rd Q
16-10 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
16-13 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
23-13 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
4th Q
23-20 TOR - PTD QB Todd Baker -> WR Edmund Landry
30-20 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
33-20 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch

Despite giving some key players rest for their week 11 game, the Blue Wings still rolled over the Steelheads. 
The Lemieux brothers both started the game and had a blast against the Steelheads' defence.
Toronto’s miserable season is almost over following their 4th straight loss, but on a good note, the team has locked in the 1st overall pick in the 1968 draft.
Buffalo becomes just the 3rd team to have back-to-back 10+ win seasons, joining the Royals (1958-1959) and Tigers (1961-1962); only the Royals were able to win the McCallister Cup during one of those 2 seasons.

Indiana Victors - 34, Louisville Thunder - 13 - Victory Stadium - September 4, 1967 - 6 PM ET - Labour Day - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
2nd Q
7-3 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
14-3 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
3rd Q
21-3 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Orlando Barrack
21-6 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
24-6 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
24-13 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
4th Q
31-13 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
34-13 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter

Indiana was in a must-win situation on Labour Day, and they rose to the challenge. 
QB Tom Applewhite and RB Raymond Green had the offence firing on all cylinders putting up 34 points.
They were helped by a strong defensive performance led by DB Cameron Taylor who had one of the 2 interceptions, while the rest of the defence also came away with a pair of fumbles.
The icing on the cake in this game came in the 4th where RB Raymond Green used everything he had to carry the Victors down the field and kill as much clock as possible, scoring a touchdown and then helping to add a field goal on the ensuing drive.
QB Buck Murphy had probably his worst game of the season throwing those 2 interceptions and only a single touchdown pass, which was not helped by 2 starting offensive linemen getting hurt. 
Louisville’s offence as a whole struggled to put them in a spot to still potentially miss the playoffs if they don’t get a win next week against Buffalo.

Injury Report
OL Bernhard Altermann LOU - 1 Week
OL Kurt Booker LOU - 6 Weeks
LB Patrick Hamilton PIT - 2 Weeks

Players of the Week
OFF: RB Raymond Green IND - 2 Rushing Touchdowns, 128 Rushing Yards
DEF: S Garet deVale MTL - 1 Interception, 1 Defensive Touchdown, 6 Tackles

Standings
WEST
Buffalo 10-1 -y
London 6-5 -x
Louisville 5-5-1
Indiana 5-6
Pittsburgh 3-8
Toronto 2-9

EAST
Long Island 7-3-1 -x
Montreal 7-4 -x
Providence 6-5
Boston 5-6
Ottawa 5-6
Halifax 4-7

Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Long Island -
3 - Montreal +1
4 - London +1
5 - Louisville -2
6 - Providence +3
7 - Indiana +1
8 - Boston -2
9 - Ottawa -2
10 - Halifax -
11 - Pittsburgh -
12 - Toronto -

Week 12 Games
HFX (4-7) @ OTT (5-6) - SEP 9 - 12 PM ET
*OTT clinches playoff spot with Win + BOS Loss + PRO Loss
*OTT clinches crossover playoff spot with Win + BOS or PRO Loss + IND Loss + LOU Loss
PRO (6-5) @ MTL (7-4) - SEP 9 - 3:30 PM ET
*PRO clinches home playoff game with Win
*PRO clinches playoff spot with Win or BOS Loss + OTT Loss
*PRO clinches crossover playoff spot with OTT Loss + IND Loss + LOU Loss
*MTL clinches home playoff game with Win
*MTL clinches East Division with Win +  LI Loss
BOS (5-6) @ LI (7-3-1) - SEP 9 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
*BOS clinches playoff spot with Win + PRO Loss
*BOS clinches crossover playoff spot with Win + IND Loss + LOU Loss
IND (5-6) @ PIT (3-8) - SEP 10 - 12 PM ET
*IND clinches playoff spot with Win + LOU Loss
LDN (6-5) @ TOR (2-9) - SEP 10 - 3:30 PM ET
*LDN clinches home playoff game with Win or LOU Loss
LOU (5-5-1) @ BUF (10-1) - SEP 10 - 7 PM ET - Season Finale
*LOU clinches playoff spot with Win or IND Loss + BOS Loss + OTT Loss
*LOU clinches home playoff game with Win + LDN Loss

1967 Week 12
Roster Moves
LOU: OL Kurt Booker - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
LOU: OL Scott Liebowitz - Free Agent -> Signed to Active Roster
PIT: LB Patrick Hamilton - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
PIT: LB Garrett DeGraaf - Reserve List -> Active Roster

Ottawa Royals - 15, Halifax Mariners - 23 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - September 9, 1967 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
2nd Q
0-6 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
0-13 HFX - PTD QB Jace Beleren -> WR Nick Nacker
3rd Q
7-13 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
7-16 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
4th Q
7-23 HFX - RTD RB Stavros Black
13-23 OTT - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> WR Marshall Leonard
15-23 OTT - 2PT RB Corbyn Knight

A disappointing end to the season for the Royals and QB Michael Benedict will likely take the brunt of the fall for this one. 
Benedict struggled with 3 interceptions and a fumble, with two of the interceptions coming in the first half which gave Halifax a 13-0 lead.
The Mariners’ defence finally showed their potential with 5 total turnovers on the day which helped to give the Mariners great field position throughout the game; the most notable one was DB Finnegan Pike’s first career pick.
Halifax did start a lot of back-ups in the game, most notably QB Jace Beleren, who got his first career start.
Beleren did just fine, and with the help of his defence, he was able to lift the Mariners to victory.
RB Stavros Black also got the start in what could be his final game; he rushed for 94 yards and had the game-clinching touchdown, which would be his only touchdown of the season.
Ottawa made a late comeback attempt, but they were not anywhere near winning this game putting an end to their season.

Montreal Rouge - 30, Providence Gold Stars - 33 - Mount Royal Stadium - September 9, 1967 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Yahui Sun
7-3 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
7-10 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Owen Paisley
2nd Q
10-10 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
17-10 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
17-17 PRO - PTD QB Connor O’Rourke -> WR Cedric Peterson
3rd Q
20-17 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
20-20 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
4th Q
20-27 PRO - RTD RB Rashed Smith
20-30 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
23-30 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
30-30 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> RB Hugo Hughes
30-33 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin

The Rouge and Gold Stars had an epic duel to close out the season that came down the wire.
Montreal had a strong start with a touchdown, but O’Rourke was able to answer back with a pair of scores.
Gene Bishop and the Rouge countered with their own field goal and touchdown and looked to be heading into the break with the lead, however, WR Cedric Peterson broke away from his defender and scored a late touchdown to tie it up.
After a quiet 3rd quarter, the teams combined for 23 points in the 4th, with Providence taking an early lead before Montreal came back to tie it.
However, it was Elvis Franklin with the final say in kicking the game-winning field goal, sending the Gold Stars into the playoffs for the first time since 1963.
This result solidified the East playoffs with Long Island clinching the bye and Providence is now set to host Montreal next week.
Boston’s only path to the playoff is through the crossover now.

Long Island Raiders - 26, Boston Independents - 24 - Long Island Stadium - September 9, 1967 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
3-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Felix Fontaine
10-7 LI - RTD RB Greg Dix
2nd Q
13-7 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
3rd Q
13-14 BOS - RTD RB Kendall Morgan
16-14 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
16-17 BOS - FG K Johnnie Berg
4th Q
23-17 LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Troy York
23-24 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Alexei Dubois
26-24 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher

With Providence’s win over Montreal, the Raiders have already clinched the East Division becoming the first team to finish first in a division 3 years in a row on 2 different occasions. 
They also now have the most division titles by any single team in the NAAF with 7.
With the division locked up, Head Coach Kerry Holder decided to give several players a rest, and some younger lads a chance.
The main focus was at QB with Landon Ross starting the first half, and Ivan Sanchez starting the second half.
Both QBs threw an interception, but Sanchez was the only one to throw a TD and was slightly more efficient through the air while Ross ran the offence in a similar manner to starter Stanley Troyer with RB Greg Dix seeing most of the touches.
It would be a brutal loss for the Independents who will now miss the playoffs despite QB Nathaniel Braddock’s best efforts to win the game late.
To make matters worse, Boston will likely land a top-5 pick in the draft, however, their selection belongs to Louisville due to the Oliver Langstrom deal.

Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 17, Indiana Victors - 44 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - September 10, 1967 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
0-10 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
0-17 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
2nd Q
7-17 PIT - RTD RB Carter Roy
7-20 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
7-27 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
3rd Q
14-27 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
14-34 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Silas Peyton
17-34 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
17-41 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
4th Q
17-44 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter

Tom Applewhite was on a mission to make sure Indy had a chance to make the playoffs by tearing up the Blacksmiths’ defence. 
He threw 3 touchdowns in the win before playing it safe in the final quarter and cooling down with the 24-point lead.
The Blacksmiths had an ugly day with the Victors, but QB Louis Vaughn played alright with a touchdown and only 1 interception.
Indiana now just has to wait to see what happens between the Thunder and the Blue Wings in the season finale.

Toronto Steelheads - 10, London Tigers - 24 - Anderson Stadium - September 10, 1967 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
0-7 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Cole Fletcher
7-7 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
2nd Q
7-14 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
3rd Q
7-21 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Russell Wilcox
4th Q
10-21 TOR - FG K Bob Randall
10-24 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth

The Tigers wrapped up their season with a win to clinch their first home playoff game since 1963. 
Rookie WR Cole Fletcher got a lot of action with WR Max Sutton getting hurt early in this one, and he scored a touchdown with the extra reps.
QB Matt Fletcher had his first career start in place of QB Todd Baker for the Steelheads; his first drive was promising with a Max Tracy touchdown, however, had some mistakes with a pick and some rough incompletions, not too bad for a guy that hasn’t started a football game in a few years.

Buffalo Blue Wings - 23, Louisville Thunder - 28 - Milton Charles Stadium - September 10, 1967 - 7 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
2nd Q
3-7 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
10-7 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
3rd Q
10-14 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Carter Henderson
17-14 BUF - PTD QB Stanislav Ovechkin -> WR Jimmy Jacks
4th Q
20-14 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
20-21 LOU -  PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
23-21 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
23-28 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman

The Thunder were in a must-win game with the Victors’ win earlier in the day, and they of course had the toughest task of playing the best team in the league.
Luckily, the Blue Wings were not starting QB Charles Lemieux and would run a split game with QB Jack Owens and QB Stanislav Ovechkin.
However, the Blue Wings gave the Thunder a run for their money, especially with Stanislav Ovechkin having a solid half of football in what could be one of his last chances to see the field in his career. 
A pair of 4th quarter field goals gave Buffalo the lead, but QB Buck Murphy would find WR Casey Coleman for a touchdown to win the game late in the 4th and book the Thunder a ticket to the postseason.
It is quite the turnaround for the team that went 1-11 last season and will be getting ready to visit London next week for the West Division Semi-Final.

Injury Report
LB Garrett Larson BOS - 1 Week
WR Max Sutton LDN - Day-to-Day
TE Tranquille Rousseau LDN - 1 Week
DB Ole Snurlson OTT - 5 Weeks
OL Evan Kilgore TOR - 6 Weeks

Players of the Week
OFF: QB Buck Murphy LOU - 4 Passing Touchdowns, 320 Passing Yards
DEF: DL Wayne Baxton HFX - 2 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 7 Tackles

Standings
WEST
Buffalo 10-2 -y
London 7-5 -x
Louisville 6-5-1 -x
Indiana 6-6
Pittsburgh 3-9
Toronto 2-10

EAST
Long Island 8-3-1 -y
Providence 7-5 -x
Montreal 7-5 -x
Halifax 5-7
Boston 5-7
Ottawa 5-7

Draft Order - Top 6
1 - Toronto
2 - Pittsburgh
3 - Ottawa
4 - Louisville (from Boston)
5 - Halifax
6 - Indiana
7 - 12 Determined via playoffs
PRO’s 1st belongs to TOR

Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Long Island -
3 - London +1
4 - Providence +2
5 - Montreal -2
6 - Louisville -1
7 - Indiana -
8 - Boston -
9 - Ottawa -
10 - Halifax - 
11 - Pittsburgh -
12 - Toronto - 

1967 Season Results

Playoff Preview

East Division Semi-Final - Providence Gold Stars VS. Montreal Rouge
Head-to-Head: W12: MTL 30-33 PRO
All-Time Playoff Head-to-Head: 5 Games - MTL Leads 3-2

If their week 12 matchup is a preview of what we are going to get in this playoff duel, we are in for a good game to kickoff the playoffs. Both teams have explosive offences, but with some solid defences as well. The Gold Stars seem to have a slim advantage coming into this one. They got the big win last week, which will be a vote of confidence, and that goes along with home-field advantage and probably the better team on paper. However, Montreal has been a team that many have counted out a lot this season and they are still here. Based on stats I like Providence, but I’m going to take the experience of the Jimmy Sargent-led Rouge in this one.
My Pick: Rouge  

West Division Semi-Final - London Tigers VS. Louisville Thunder
Head-to-Head: W10: LOU 30-33 LDN
All-Time Playoff Head-to-Head: 3 Games - LDN Leads 2-1

Both teams make a return to the playoffs after being absent last year. The Tigers are probably the hottest team coming into the playoffs with 4 straight wins under their belt. Louisville, on the other hand, has been a little inconsistent down the stretch going 2-3-1 in the second half of the season. Louisville does have the electrifying WR duo of Lloyd Lane and Casey Coleman, along with the breakout QB of Buck Murphy, however, this is the first playoff start for Murphy and first playoff game as a head coach for Malachi Knowles. They are up against the tough company of the very experienced combo of QB Riley Kiernan and Tigers’ head coach Roy Aguirre. I like what Louisville is bringing to the table, but I think the experience of the Tigers is going to win out. 
My Pick: Tigers

1973 NAAF Draft

Round 1 1 - Halifax Mariners | S George Turner | Western New York - Buffalo, NY - Creator: Burmy87 The Mariners made the 1st overall pick fo...