1969 NAAF Season
1969 Week 1
Halifax Mariners - 13, Indiana Victors - 20 - Atlantic Stadium - June 19, 1969 - 6 PM ET - Kickoff - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
0-10 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
2nd Q
7-10 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
7-13 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
3rd Q
10-13 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
4th Q
10-20 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
13-20 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
DB Neville Falkner’s debut with the Indiana Victors got off to a great start as he would get an interception on the opening drive of the game, setting up RB Raymond Green to score the first points of the 1969 season.
The Victors shut down the Mariners’ offence in the first quarter, but QB Lyle Painter was able to find WR Jav Kerrigan for a touchdown midway through the second to get back into the game.
The 3rd would be a defensive duel, but the Mariners managed to pull to within 3 points of the Victors.
Unfortunately for the Mariners, Painter would throw another interception, this time to S Tom Parrish.
Shortly after the pick, Applewhite would find WR Ed Edwards to extend the lead to 10.
The Victors would hold on, giving HC Urick Wilkins his first win as the Victors’ head coach against his former team.
Minnesota Serpents - 33, Louisville Thunder - 29 - Midgard Stadium - June 20, 1969 - 8 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
3-0 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
2nd Q
6-0 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
6-7 LOU - RTD RB Théodore Lemieux
6-14 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
12-14 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Sebastian Dassler
3rd Q
19-14 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
19-21 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
4th Q
26-21 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
26-27 LOU - RTD RB Théodore Lemieux
26-29 LOU - 2PT QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
33-29 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Evan Clanton
The NAAF welcomed the twin cities into the league with the Serpents' first game in their history.
The game started slow, but eventually, the Serpents would get their first-ever points off of a field goal from K Ray Bough.
Minnesota extended their lead early in the second but soon fell behind as the Thunder would get a pair of scores to take a 6-14 lead.
Luckily for Minnesota, they would answer back just before the half when QB Leonidas Dumont hit WR Sebastian Dassler for a 62-yard touchdown.
The second half would start with the Serpents taking back the lead on a touchdown from RB Hugo Hughes, but the Thunder would answer back before the final frame.
The teams traded touchdowns in the 4th, with the Thunder getting a 3-point lead on a 2-point try.
Former Thunder QB, Leonidas Dumont, would take the field and was looking for revenge for the team benching him for the last couple of seasons.
Dumont would lead the Serpents on a stellar game-winning drive that would end with WR Evan Clanton catching the go-ahead touchdown to secure the Serpents' first-ever victory.
*Minnesota joins Indiana as the only expansion teams to win their first game
Ottawa Royals - 23, Long Island Raiders - 17 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - June 21, 1969 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
10-0 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
2nd Q
17-0 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> TE Luiss de Brands
17-3 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
3rd Q
17-10 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
4th Q
20-10 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
23-10 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
23-17 LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Larry Mossholder
The Royals came out of the gate swinging against the Raiders, as former 3rd overall pick, QB Drake Young made his first start of his career.
Young led the Royals on a great first drive leading to a Corbyn Knight touchdown, which certainly got the home crowd excited.
They would extend their lead to 10 after DB Jerome Caldwell picked off QB Ivan Sanchez on the Raiders’ first drive.
The Royals piled on in the 2nd with Young throwing his first career touchdown to TE Luiss de Brands.
The bleeding finally stopped for the Raiders following the second Royals TD, as Sanchez would get them into field goal range just before the half.
The 3rd was a much better quarter for the Raiders, as their defence shut down the Royals’ offence, while RB Dareion Fields found the endzone.
The Royals would bounce back with a pair of field goals to start the 4th, but the Raiders kept themselves in it with a late Larry Mossholder touchdown.
Unfortunately for Long Island, they would fall short after Sanchez was intercepted for a second time, this time by S Marc Bellecourt.
Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 10, Buffalo Blue Wings - 21 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - June 21, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
2nd Q
0-7 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
3-7 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
3rd Q
3-14 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
10-14 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
4th Q
10-21 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
A sluggish opening quarter in Pittsburgh left both teams without any points to start the game, but eventually, WR Julius Drake would break the silence with a touchdown in the 2nd.
Pittsburgh only managed a field goal before the break, and then early in the 3rd, Buffalo added to their lead with a Jimmy Golden score.
The Blacksmiths were not looking very sharp with a couple of mistakes throughout the game, but they managed to score a touchdown near the end of the 3rd to keep themselves in the game.
Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, they would be run over by Golden yet again to give Buffalo the 10-21 lead, which would stand as the final score.
Boston Independents - 18, London Tigers - 24 - Richardson Stadium - June 22, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
3-7 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Joshua Lafleur
2nd Q
10-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
10-10 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
3rd Q
10-13 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
10-14 LDN - Single K Nimrod Handsworth
17-14 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
4th Q
17-17 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
18-17 BOS - Single K Woody Woodstock
18-24 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Carter Henderson
A new era for both teams as their coaches began their first season at the helm.
Surprisingly, the Dewey Doyle-led Tigers took the early lead with a Joshua Lafleur touchdown.
In the second quarter, Boston took back the lead with a touchdown of their own, but London tied it up before the break.
In the second half, the Tigers would get 4 points to start to get away from the Independents, but RB Reggie Whitehead would barrel through the Tigers’ D-line to score a touchdown late in the 3rd.
The final quarter would see the Tigers tie up the game, but then sacrifice a single after K Woody Woodstock’s punt would bounce over the head of RB Jeremy Royal and into the endzone.
London unfortunately would be stopped on their attempt to drive down the field and would be forced to punt.
However, they would catch a huge break as DL Mo Kahn would punch the ball out of the arms of RB Reggie Whitehead as he attempted to run the clock.
The Tigers took over and QB Riley Kiernan would find WR Carter Henderson for the game-winning TD.
Toronto Steelheads - 19, Montreal Rouge - 17 - Anderson Stadium - June 22, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
7-3 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
7-4 MTL - Single K Arthur Kettinger
2nd Q
10-4 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
10-11 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Russell Wilcox
3rd Q
13-11 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
4th Q
16-11 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
16-17 MTL - RTD RB Carter Roy
19-17 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
The battle of the biggest Canadian cities would start with Montreal getting a field goal on their first drive, but Toronto would answer back with, you guessed it, Max Tracy.
Montreal’s offence was struggling in the first half, especially after Gene Bishop threw his first of 3 picks on the day to DB Dwayne James.
Toronto held a 10-4 lead, but Montreal was able to get a touchdown before the half to take the lead.
Bishop’s 2nd interception in the 3rd would land in the arms of DB Oliver Langstrom in his first game with his new team.
Toronto would continue to ride the leg of Vic Greatwood, adding a pair of field goals which was helped by Bishop’s 3rd pick to S Charles Clerk.
Montreal still managed to hang around with a solid 4th quarter drive, ending with a RB Carter Roy touchdown to give them the lead, unfortunately, they would miss the 2-point conversion.
Toronto would manage to drive down to get into field goal range and K Vic Greatwood would barely make a 46-yard kick to win the game for the Steelheads.
Injury Report
DL William Sanderson BUF - Day-to-Day
OL Ward Briscoe HFX - 11 Weeks
WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence HFX - 1 Week
LB Oscar Wilkins LDN - 2 Weeks
Players of the Week
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 1-0
Indiana 1-0
London 1-0
Minnesota 1-0
Toronto 1-0
Louisville 0-1
Pittsburgh 0-1
EAST
Ottawa 1-0
Providence 0-0
Montreal 0-1
Long Island 0-1
Boston 0-1
Halifax 0-1
Power Rankings
1 - Indiana -
2 - Buffalo -
3 - Ottawa -
4 - Halifax -
5 - Pittsburgh -
6 - Long Island -
7 - Toronto +2
8 - Minnesota +3
9 - Louisville -3
10 - Montreal -2
11 - London +2
12 - Boston -2
13 - Providence -1
Week 2 Games
BUF (1-0) @ PRO (0-0) - JUN 27 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
PIT (0-1) @ HFX (0-1) - JUN 28 - 3 PM ET
TOR (1-0) @ LI (0-1) - JUN 28 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
MIN (1-0) @ MTL (0-1) - JUN 29 - 1 PM ET
BOS (0-1) @ IND (1-0) - JUN 29 - 4 PM ET
LDN (0-1) @ OTT (1-0) - JUL 1 - 5 PM ET - Canada Day
1969 Week 2
Roster Moves
HFX: OL Ward Briscoe - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
HFX: OL Alexander Updegraff - Free Agency - Active Roster
Providence Gold Stars - 20, Buffalo Blue Wings - 34 - OT - New Providence Stadium - June 27, 1969 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy/Light Rain
1st Q
7-0 PRO - KRTD WR Mark Taylor
7-7 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
2nd Q
7-10 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
7-17 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
3rd Q
7-20 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
10-20 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
4th Q
17-20 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Justin Palmer
20-20 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
Overtime
20-27 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
20-34 BUF - RTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
The Gold Stars’ season got off to a strong start as WR Mark Taylor would take the opening kickoff back to the house for a touchdown.
However, after the Gold Stars’ opening score, Buffalo would take over the game, scoring 20 straight points.
QB Ulysses Lawyer, who was the first new QB to start the season for the Gold Stars since 1955 (when Connor O’Rourke took over), did struggle throughout the first half throwing an interception and getting sacked 3 times.
Providence finally answered back with a field goal in the 3rd, but the game turned around in the 4th when DL Bartolo Cruz would knock the ball out of RB Jimmy Golden’s arms to give the Gold Stars great field position.
Shortly after, WR Justin Palmer would make a great play scoring a 32-yard touchdown to pull the Gold Stars back to within 3.
The Gold Stars would catch another break later with LB Kurt Warlock knocking the ball out of the arms of WR Tracy Driscoll, which would lead to the game-tying field goal.
After blowing the 13-point lead, the Blue Wings would not let Providence back into the game in overtime, scoring 2 touchdowns to win the game by 14.
Halifax Mariners - 24, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 16 - Atlantic Stadium - June 28, 1969 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
7-3 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
10-3 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
2nd Q
10-10 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Orlando Barrack
13-10 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
3rd Q
13-13 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
20-13 HFX - RTD RB Rashed Smith
4th Q
21-13 HFX - Single K Albert Wickerweaver
24-13 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
24-16 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
The Mariners and Blacksmiths both hoped to get in the win column in their second game.
Halifax got the upper hand early with Jav Kerrigan getting into the endzone (yes the crowd was of course shouting “JAV! JAV! JAV!”).
Pittsburgh bounced back to tie the game in the 2nd but would be down by 3 heading into the break.
In the second half, the Mariners would build up a lead with Rashed Smith’s first touchdown as a Mariner and 4 more points from kicks.
Pittsburgh only managed a field goal while QB Louis Vaughn struggled, throwing a pick to DB Joe Robinson, instead of a touchdown to WR Taylor Austin.
Long Island Raiders - 20, Toronto Steelheads - 17 - OT - Long Island Stadium - June 28, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
7-7 LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Otto Washington
2nd Q
7-14 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
3rd Q
14-14 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
4th Q
17-14 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
17-17 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
Overtime
20-17 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
RB Max Tracy came out swinging in the first half with a pair of touchdowns to give the Steelheads a 7-14 lead.
QB Ivan Sanchez had kept the Raiders in the game with an important touchdown pass to WR Otto Washington.
In the 3rd, the Raiders were able to tie the game up with RB Dareion Fields getting into the endzone.
The Raiders would take the lead in the 4th, but Toronto answered back to force overtime.
In the extra frame, the Raiders would be the only ones to score with a field goal.
Montreal Rouge - 13, Minnesota Serpents - 23 - Mount Royal Stadium - June 29, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
0-6 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
2nd Q
3-6 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
3rd Q
6-6 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
6-13 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Ferdinand Matthews
4th Q
6-16 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
13-16 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
13-23 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
Minnesota’s first trip into Montreal saw them jump out to a 0-6 lead in the first, while Montreal’s offence was still struggling with the new offence.
After throwing a pick in the first quarter, Gene Bishop was able to get the team on the board in the 2nd and then tie the game to start the 3rd.
The Serpents were finally able to break the field goal streak as QB Leonidas Dumont found WR Ferdinand Matthews in the endzone for a big score.
Minnesota would extend the lead early in the 4th after Gene Bishop threw his second pick of the game.
Montreal bounced back with a strong drive that ended with a WR Taylor Karis touchdown, to pull within 3 points.
Unfortunately, the Serpents would not let up and their next drive would be a slow drive that killed several minutes on the clock.
RB Hugo Hughes would get a bit of revenge on the Rouge by scoring a touchdown at the end of the long drive to seal the Serpents’ 2-0 start, the best start for an expansion team.
Indiana Victors - 33, Boston Independents - 26 - OT - Victory Stadium - June 29, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
0-3 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
7-3 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
2nd Q
7-10 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> TE Spencer Griepentrog
10-10 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
3rd Q
10-13 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
17-13 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Jake Abbredezzi
20-13 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4th Q
20-20 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
23-20 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
23-23 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
Overtime
26-23 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
26-26 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
33-26 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
Indiana’s home opener saw the home squad get out to a 7-3 lead in the opening quarter after an Ed Edwards TD.
Unfortunately, Boston was able to counter with QB Nathaniel Braddock finding his TE for a touchdown in the 2nd.
Indy would tie the game heading into halftime, but Boston broke the tie early in the 3rd.
Indian started to take over in the later half of the 3rd, putting up 10 points to get up to a 7-point lead.
In the 4th, Boston rallied and tied the game up with RB Reggie Whitehead scoring against his former team.
The Victors would get a late field goal to retake the lead, but Boston was able to march down and tie it on the final drive of regulation, giving the league its 3rd OT match of the week.
In the extra frame, each team got a field goal to start, but QB Tom Applewhite would find WR Ed Edwards in the endzone, making a great grab with DB Lawrence Ralph all over him, to take the lead and win the game.
Ottawa Royals - 30, London Tigers - 11 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - July 1, 1969 - 5 PM ET - Canada Day - Weather: Mostly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
10-0 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
2nd Q
10-7 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
13-7 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3rd Q
13-8 LDN - Single K Nimrod Handsworth
20-8 OTT - PTD QB Tyrion Gainsborough -> WR Piers Key
4th Q
27-8 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
27-11 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
30-11 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
The Royals shot off some fireworks on Canada Day, with QB Drake Young throwing an early touchdown in the first.
The Royals maintained the lead into the 2nd quarter, however, Drake Young would get hit hard in the 2nd by DL Richard Blunt, forcing him to leave the game.
The Tigers would get into the game following the injury, scoring a touchdown with RB Austin Andrews.
It was a slow start for QB Tyrion Gainsborough, who replaced Drake Young, but in the second half, he got going with a passing touchdown and then led them to another touchdown in the 4th.
London would have a couple of late scores, but in the end, the Royals would come away with a commanding win.
Injury Report
WR Larry Mossholder LI - 3 Weeks
RB Lando Blake LI - Day-to-Day
OL Elliot Barrett MTL - 1 Week
OL Amos Sewell OTT - 6 Weeks
QB Drake Young OTT - Day-to-Day
RB Ronnie Byers PRO - 2 Weeks
K Vic Greatwood TOR - Day-to-Day
Players of the Week
OFF: QB Charles Lemieux BUF - 3 Passing Touchdowns, 312 Passing Yards
DEF: LB Kurt Warlock PRO - 1 Forced Fumble, 11 Tackles
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 2-0
Indiana 2-0
Minnesota 2-0
Toronto 1-1
London 1-1
Louisville 0-1
Pittsburgh 0-2
EAST
Ottawa 2-0
Halifax 1-1
Long Island 1-1
Providence 0-1
Montreal 0-2
Boston 0-2
Power Rankings
1 - Indiana -
2 - Buffalo -
3 - Ottawa -
4 - Halifax -
5 - Long Island +1
6 - Minnesota +2
7 - Pittsburgh -2
8 - Toronto -1
9 - Louisville -
10 - Boston +2
11 - London -
12 - Providence +1
13 - Montreal -3
Week 3 Games
LOU (0-1) @ BUF (2-0) - JUL 4 - 2 PM ET - 4th of July
PRO (0-1) @ BOS (0-2) - JUL 4 - 6 PM ET - 4th of July
HFX (1-1) @ MIN (2-0) - JUL 5 - 3 PM ET
TOR (1-1) @ IND (2-0) - JUL 5 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
PIT (0-2) @ LDN (1-1) - JUL 6 - 1 PM ET
OTT (2-0) @ LI (1-1) - JUL 6 - 4 PM ET
Roster Moves
HFX: OL Ward Briscoe - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
HFX: OL Alexander Updegraff - Free Agency - Active Roster
Providence Gold Stars - 20, Buffalo Blue Wings - 34 - OT - New Providence Stadium - June 27, 1969 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy/Light Rain
1st Q
7-0 PRO - KRTD WR Mark Taylor
7-7 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
2nd Q
7-10 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
7-17 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
3rd Q
7-20 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
10-20 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
4th Q
17-20 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Justin Palmer
20-20 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
Overtime
20-27 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
20-34 BUF - RTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
The Gold Stars’ season got off to a strong start as WR Mark Taylor would take the opening kickoff back to the house for a touchdown.
However, after the Gold Stars’ opening score, Buffalo would take over the game, scoring 20 straight points.
QB Ulysses Lawyer, who was the first new QB to start the season for the Gold Stars since 1955 (when Connor O’Rourke took over), did struggle throughout the first half throwing an interception and getting sacked 3 times.
Providence finally answered back with a field goal in the 3rd, but the game turned around in the 4th when DL Bartolo Cruz would knock the ball out of RB Jimmy Golden’s arms to give the Gold Stars great field position.
Shortly after, WR Justin Palmer would make a great play scoring a 32-yard touchdown to pull the Gold Stars back to within 3.
The Gold Stars would catch another break later with LB Kurt Warlock knocking the ball out of the arms of WR Tracy Driscoll, which would lead to the game-tying field goal.
After blowing the 13-point lead, the Blue Wings would not let Providence back into the game in overtime, scoring 2 touchdowns to win the game by 14.
Halifax Mariners - 24, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 16 - Atlantic Stadium - June 28, 1969 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
7-3 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
10-3 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
2nd Q
10-10 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Orlando Barrack
13-10 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
3rd Q
13-13 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
20-13 HFX - RTD RB Rashed Smith
4th Q
21-13 HFX - Single K Albert Wickerweaver
24-13 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
24-16 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
The Mariners and Blacksmiths both hoped to get in the win column in their second game.
Halifax got the upper hand early with Jav Kerrigan getting into the endzone (yes the crowd was of course shouting “JAV! JAV! JAV!”).
Pittsburgh bounced back to tie the game in the 2nd but would be down by 3 heading into the break.
In the second half, the Mariners would build up a lead with Rashed Smith’s first touchdown as a Mariner and 4 more points from kicks.
Pittsburgh only managed a field goal while QB Louis Vaughn struggled, throwing a pick to DB Joe Robinson, instead of a touchdown to WR Taylor Austin.
Long Island Raiders - 20, Toronto Steelheads - 17 - OT - Long Island Stadium - June 28, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
7-7 LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Otto Washington
2nd Q
7-14 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
3rd Q
14-14 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
4th Q
17-14 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
17-17 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
Overtime
20-17 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
RB Max Tracy came out swinging in the first half with a pair of touchdowns to give the Steelheads a 7-14 lead.
QB Ivan Sanchez had kept the Raiders in the game with an important touchdown pass to WR Otto Washington.
In the 3rd, the Raiders were able to tie the game up with RB Dareion Fields getting into the endzone.
The Raiders would take the lead in the 4th, but Toronto answered back to force overtime.
In the extra frame, the Raiders would be the only ones to score with a field goal.
Montreal Rouge - 13, Minnesota Serpents - 23 - Mount Royal Stadium - June 29, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
0-6 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
2nd Q
3-6 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
3rd Q
6-6 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
6-13 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Ferdinand Matthews
4th Q
6-16 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
13-16 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
13-23 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
Minnesota’s first trip into Montreal saw them jump out to a 0-6 lead in the first, while Montreal’s offence was still struggling with the new offence.
After throwing a pick in the first quarter, Gene Bishop was able to get the team on the board in the 2nd and then tie the game to start the 3rd.
The Serpents were finally able to break the field goal streak as QB Leonidas Dumont found WR Ferdinand Matthews in the endzone for a big score.
Minnesota would extend the lead early in the 4th after Gene Bishop threw his second pick of the game.
Montreal bounced back with a strong drive that ended with a WR Taylor Karis touchdown, to pull within 3 points.
Unfortunately, the Serpents would not let up and their next drive would be a slow drive that killed several minutes on the clock.
RB Hugo Hughes would get a bit of revenge on the Rouge by scoring a touchdown at the end of the long drive to seal the Serpents’ 2-0 start, the best start for an expansion team.
Indiana Victors - 33, Boston Independents - 26 - OT - Victory Stadium - June 29, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
0-3 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
7-3 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
2nd Q
7-10 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> TE Spencer Griepentrog
10-10 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
3rd Q
10-13 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
17-13 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Jake Abbredezzi
20-13 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4th Q
20-20 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
23-20 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
23-23 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
Overtime
26-23 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
26-26 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
33-26 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
Indiana’s home opener saw the home squad get out to a 7-3 lead in the opening quarter after an Ed Edwards TD.
Unfortunately, Boston was able to counter with QB Nathaniel Braddock finding his TE for a touchdown in the 2nd.
Indy would tie the game heading into halftime, but Boston broke the tie early in the 3rd.
Indian started to take over in the later half of the 3rd, putting up 10 points to get up to a 7-point lead.
In the 4th, Boston rallied and tied the game up with RB Reggie Whitehead scoring against his former team.
The Victors would get a late field goal to retake the lead, but Boston was able to march down and tie it on the final drive of regulation, giving the league its 3rd OT match of the week.
In the extra frame, each team got a field goal to start, but QB Tom Applewhite would find WR Ed Edwards in the endzone, making a great grab with DB Lawrence Ralph all over him, to take the lead and win the game.
Ottawa Royals - 30, London Tigers - 11 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - July 1, 1969 - 5 PM ET - Canada Day - Weather: Mostly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
10-0 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
2nd Q
10-7 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
13-7 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3rd Q
13-8 LDN - Single K Nimrod Handsworth
20-8 OTT - PTD QB Tyrion Gainsborough -> WR Piers Key
4th Q
27-8 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
27-11 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
30-11 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
The Royals shot off some fireworks on Canada Day, with QB Drake Young throwing an early touchdown in the first.
The Royals maintained the lead into the 2nd quarter, however, Drake Young would get hit hard in the 2nd by DL Richard Blunt, forcing him to leave the game.
The Tigers would get into the game following the injury, scoring a touchdown with RB Austin Andrews.
It was a slow start for QB Tyrion Gainsborough, who replaced Drake Young, but in the second half, he got going with a passing touchdown and then led them to another touchdown in the 4th.
London would have a couple of late scores, but in the end, the Royals would come away with a commanding win.
Injury Report
WR Larry Mossholder LI - 3 Weeks
RB Lando Blake LI - Day-to-Day
OL Elliot Barrett MTL - 1 Week
OL Amos Sewell OTT - 6 Weeks
QB Drake Young OTT - Day-to-Day
RB Ronnie Byers PRO - 2 Weeks
K Vic Greatwood TOR - Day-to-Day
Players of the Week
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 2-0
Indiana 2-0
Minnesota 2-0
Toronto 1-1
London 1-1
Louisville 0-1
Pittsburgh 0-2
EAST
Ottawa 2-0
Halifax 1-1
Long Island 1-1
Providence 0-1
Montreal 0-2
Boston 0-2
Power Rankings
1 - Indiana -
2 - Buffalo -
3 - Ottawa -
4 - Halifax -
5 - Long Island +1
6 - Minnesota +2
7 - Pittsburgh -2
8 - Toronto -1
9 - Louisville -
10 - Boston +2
11 - London -
12 - Providence +1
13 - Montreal -3
Week 3 Games
LOU (0-1) @ BUF (2-0) - JUL 4 - 2 PM ET - 4th of July
PRO (0-1) @ BOS (0-2) - JUL 4 - 6 PM ET - 4th of July
HFX (1-1) @ MIN (2-0) - JUL 5 - 3 PM ET
TOR (1-1) @ IND (2-0) - JUL 5 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
PIT (0-2) @ LDN (1-1) - JUL 6 - 1 PM ET
OTT (2-0) @ LI (1-1) - JUL 6 - 4 PM ET
1969 Week 3
Roster Moves
OTT: OL Amos Sewell - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
OTT: OL Jep D’Ambrosio - Reserve List -> Active Roster
Buffalo Blue Wings - 36, Louisville Thunder - 20 - Milton Charles Stadium - July 4, 1969 - 2 PM ET - 4th of July - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
7-3 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> TE Paul Arturberry
14-3 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
2nd Q
21-3 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
21-10 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
24-10 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
3rd Q
27-10 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
27-13 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
4th Q
33-13 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
33-20 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Alexei Dubois
36-20 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
Buffalo’s home opener got off to a great start with the Blue Wings' offence scoring a pair of touchdowns in the opening quarter.
They would add to the lead early in the second with a 3rd touchdown.
Louisville was able to finally answer back with a WR Lloyd Lane touchdown.
The scoring slowed down in the 3rd quarter, with both teams only getting a field goal each.
In the final quarter, Buffalo would get back to the endzone with WR Jimmy Jack to take a 20-point lead.
WR Alexei Dubois got his first score as a Thunder to try and keep Louisville in the game, but Buffalo would manage to hold on for a strong win to remain perfect on the season.
Boston Independents - 25, Providence Gold Stars - 17 - Richardson Stadium - July 4, 1969 - 6 PM ET - 4th of July - Weather: Clear
1st Q
7-0 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Sam Nash
2nd Q
14-0 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
17-0 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
3rd Q
17-7 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Owen Paisley
24-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
4th Q
24-10 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
25-10 BOS - Single K Woody Woodstock
25-17 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Justin Palmer
QB Nathaniel Braddock aimed to get the Independents their first win of the season and started the game off very strong with a 17-0 first half.
The Independents’ defence stood strong to hold the Gold Stars to 0 points showing some potential under HC Kenneth Chaney’s system.
Providence was able to pick it up in the second half with QB Ulysses Lawyer throwing a pair of touchdowns, but they were too far back as Boston would add 8 points to their first-half score to hold onto the win.
Minnesota Serpents - 31, Halifax Mariners - 34 - Midgard Stadium - July 5, 1969 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
0-3 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
0-10 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
7-10 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
2nd Q
7-17 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
14-17 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
3rd Q
21-17 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Sebastian Dassler
21-24 HFX - RTD RB Rashed Smith
21-31 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
4th Q
24-31 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
31-31 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Ferdinand Matthews
31-34 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
The Mariners were looking to end the Serpents’ unbeaten start, and they would jump out to a 0-10 lead in the 1st.
Minnesota was able to counter with RB Hugo Hughes getting into the endzone a couple of times in the first half, however, Halifax maintained the lead with WR Shane Steadman scoring in the 2nd quarter.
The 3rd quarter would see the Serpents get back into the lead early with a great throw from QB Leonidas Dumont, hitting a small window to WR Sebastian Dassler.
Halifax didn’t take lightly the score and would get into the endzone on back-to-back drives, which was also helped by a DB Joe Robinson interception.
The Serpents would manage the new 10-point deficit very well and would tie the game up in the 4th with a pair of scores.
However, despite the effort by Minnesota, the Mariners’ offence would get down the field and would get the game-winning field goal to take the win.
Indiana Victors - 24, Toronto Steelheads - 27 - Victory Stadium - July 5, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
10-0 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
2nd Q
10-7 TOR - DTD INT S Charles Clerk
17-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> TE Eric Peterson
3rd Q
17-14 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
17-17 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
4th Q
17-24 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
17-27 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
24-27 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Jake Abbredezzi
The Victors were looking to get to a 3-0 start and would begin their week 3 match against the Steelheads with a 10-point lead in the first quarter.
Toronto’s offence was struggling throughout the first half, with their only points coming from a pick-6 from S Charles Clerk.
Indy recovered from the pick-6 with a touchdown to close out the first half and take a 17-7 lead.
The second half would see momentum completely flip as RB Max Tracy exploded for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns in just the second half.
The Steelheads’ defence shut down Indiana while creating several turnovers, which helped the Steelheads to put up 20 straight points and take the lead.
Indiana would bounce back to pull within 3 late in the game, but they were too late as the Steelheads would hold them off for the win.
London Tigers - 28, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 38 - Western Fair Stadium - July 6, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 PIT - DTD FUM LB Patrick Hamilton
7-7 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Joshua Lafleur
2nd Q
7-14 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Justin Dubuque
7-21 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Orlando Barrack
3rd Q
14-21 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Cole Fletcher
14-24 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
21-24 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
4th Q
21-31 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
21-38 PIT - DTD INT DB Aiden Sargent
28-38 LDN - PTD QB Magnus Torrensen -> WR Cole Fletcher
Pittsburgh was hoping to finally get into the win column against the Tigers, and they would get an early lead off of a DL Arthur Bradshaw forced fumble, which turned into a touchdown from LB Patrick Hamilton.
London would get a touchdown to counter the early turnover, but the Blacksmiths would start to pull away in the 2nd with a pair of touchdowns.
The second half would see the Tigers pull back into the game with a pair of touchdowns to end the 3rd quarter down by 3.
In the final quarter, the Blacksmiths would get another touchdown early on to get back up by 10.
The Tigers tried to stay with Pittsburgh, but a second defensive touchdown would seal the deal for the Blacksmiths.
After the pick-6, the Tigers would give QB Magnus Torrensen a few snaps at the end of the game which he turned into a touchdown.
Long Island Raiders - 9, Ottawa Royals - 32 - Long Island Stadium - July 6, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
2nd Q
3-7 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
3-10 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3-17 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Colby Bancana
6-17 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
3rd Q
9-17 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
9-20 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
9-22 OTT - Safety S Marc Bellecourt
4th Q
9-29 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
9-32 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
The first rematch of the season got off to a slow start, with both defences having strong starts, but the Royals would start to find their groove in the 2nd with 3 straight scores to go up 6-17 at the break.
In the second half, the Royals’ defence took over, creating 3 turnovers, while the offence continued to rack up the points.
The defence even got in on the scoring when S Marc Bellecourt took QB Ivan Sanchez by surprise on the blitz out of the secondary to take him down in the endzone for a safety.
Bellecourt would add to the safety with a pick near the end of the game as the Royals would dominate to start the season 3-0.
Injury Report
DB Lauri Hayha LI - 8 Weeks
LB Aristofane Zuccaro OTT - 6 Weeks
DL Raymond Pushor PIT - Day-to-Day
LB Lincoln Webster TOR - 1 Week
LB Grover Smith TOR - 3 Weeks
Players of the Week
OFF: RB Max Tracy TOR - 2 Rushing Touchdowns, 153 Rushing Yards
DEF: S Marc Bellecourt OTT - 1 Interception, 1 Safety, 1 Sack, 7 Tackles
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 3-0
Indiana 2-1
Minnesota 2-1
Toronto 2-1
Pittsburgh 1-2
London 1-2
Louisville 0-2
EAST
Ottawa 3-0
Halifax 2-1
Boston 1-2
Long Island 1-2
Montreal 0-2
Providence 0-2
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo +1
2 - Ottawa +1
3 - Indiana -2
4 - Halifax -
5 - Minnesota +1
6 - Toronto +2
7 - Pittsburgh -
8 - Long Island -3
9 - Boston +1
10 - Louisville -1
11 - London -
12 - Providence -
13 - Montreal -
Week 4 Games
MTL (0-2) @ LOU (0-2) - JUL 10 - 7 PM ET - Thursday Night Football
IND (2-1) @ PIT (1-2) - JUL 11 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
MIN (2-1) @ TOR (2-1) - JUL 12 - 3 PM ET
BOS (1-2) @ HFX (2-1) - JUL 12 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
OTT (3-0) @ BUF (3-0) - JUL 13 - 1 PM ET
LI (1-2) @ PRO (0-2) - JUL 13 - 4 PM ET
Roster Moves
OTT: OL Amos Sewell - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
OTT: OL Jep D’Ambrosio - Reserve List -> Active Roster
Buffalo Blue Wings - 36, Louisville Thunder - 20 - Milton Charles Stadium - July 4, 1969 - 2 PM ET - 4th of July - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
7-3 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> TE Paul Arturberry
14-3 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
2nd Q
21-3 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
21-10 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
24-10 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
3rd Q
27-10 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
27-13 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
4th Q
33-13 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
33-20 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Alexei Dubois
36-20 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
Buffalo’s home opener got off to a great start with the Blue Wings' offence scoring a pair of touchdowns in the opening quarter.
They would add to the lead early in the second with a 3rd touchdown.
Louisville was able to finally answer back with a WR Lloyd Lane touchdown.
The scoring slowed down in the 3rd quarter, with both teams only getting a field goal each.
In the final quarter, Buffalo would get back to the endzone with WR Jimmy Jack to take a 20-point lead.
WR Alexei Dubois got his first score as a Thunder to try and keep Louisville in the game, but Buffalo would manage to hold on for a strong win to remain perfect on the season.
Boston Independents - 25, Providence Gold Stars - 17 - Richardson Stadium - July 4, 1969 - 6 PM ET - 4th of July - Weather: Clear
1st Q
7-0 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Sam Nash
2nd Q
14-0 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
17-0 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
3rd Q
17-7 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Owen Paisley
24-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
4th Q
24-10 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
25-10 BOS - Single K Woody Woodstock
25-17 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Justin Palmer
QB Nathaniel Braddock aimed to get the Independents their first win of the season and started the game off very strong with a 17-0 first half.
The Independents’ defence stood strong to hold the Gold Stars to 0 points showing some potential under HC Kenneth Chaney’s system.
Providence was able to pick it up in the second half with QB Ulysses Lawyer throwing a pair of touchdowns, but they were too far back as Boston would add 8 points to their first-half score to hold onto the win.
Minnesota Serpents - 31, Halifax Mariners - 34 - Midgard Stadium - July 5, 1969 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
0-3 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
0-10 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
7-10 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
2nd Q
7-17 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
14-17 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
3rd Q
21-17 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Sebastian Dassler
21-24 HFX - RTD RB Rashed Smith
21-31 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
4th Q
24-31 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
31-31 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Ferdinand Matthews
31-34 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
The Mariners were looking to end the Serpents’ unbeaten start, and they would jump out to a 0-10 lead in the 1st.
Minnesota was able to counter with RB Hugo Hughes getting into the endzone a couple of times in the first half, however, Halifax maintained the lead with WR Shane Steadman scoring in the 2nd quarter.
The 3rd quarter would see the Serpents get back into the lead early with a great throw from QB Leonidas Dumont, hitting a small window to WR Sebastian Dassler.
Halifax didn’t take lightly the score and would get into the endzone on back-to-back drives, which was also helped by a DB Joe Robinson interception.
The Serpents would manage the new 10-point deficit very well and would tie the game up in the 4th with a pair of scores.
However, despite the effort by Minnesota, the Mariners’ offence would get down the field and would get the game-winning field goal to take the win.
Indiana Victors - 24, Toronto Steelheads - 27 - Victory Stadium - July 5, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
10-0 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
2nd Q
10-7 TOR - DTD INT S Charles Clerk
17-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> TE Eric Peterson
3rd Q
17-14 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
17-17 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
4th Q
17-24 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
17-27 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
24-27 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Jake Abbredezzi
The Victors were looking to get to a 3-0 start and would begin their week 3 match against the Steelheads with a 10-point lead in the first quarter.
Toronto’s offence was struggling throughout the first half, with their only points coming from a pick-6 from S Charles Clerk.
Indy recovered from the pick-6 with a touchdown to close out the first half and take a 17-7 lead.
The second half would see momentum completely flip as RB Max Tracy exploded for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns in just the second half.
The Steelheads’ defence shut down Indiana while creating several turnovers, which helped the Steelheads to put up 20 straight points and take the lead.
Indiana would bounce back to pull within 3 late in the game, but they were too late as the Steelheads would hold them off for the win.
London Tigers - 28, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 38 - Western Fair Stadium - July 6, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 PIT - DTD FUM LB Patrick Hamilton
7-7 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Joshua Lafleur
2nd Q
7-14 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Justin Dubuque
7-21 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Orlando Barrack
3rd Q
14-21 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Cole Fletcher
14-24 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
21-24 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
4th Q
21-31 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
21-38 PIT - DTD INT DB Aiden Sargent
28-38 LDN - PTD QB Magnus Torrensen -> WR Cole Fletcher
Pittsburgh was hoping to finally get into the win column against the Tigers, and they would get an early lead off of a DL Arthur Bradshaw forced fumble, which turned into a touchdown from LB Patrick Hamilton.
London would get a touchdown to counter the early turnover, but the Blacksmiths would start to pull away in the 2nd with a pair of touchdowns.
The second half would see the Tigers pull back into the game with a pair of touchdowns to end the 3rd quarter down by 3.
In the final quarter, the Blacksmiths would get another touchdown early on to get back up by 10.
The Tigers tried to stay with Pittsburgh, but a second defensive touchdown would seal the deal for the Blacksmiths.
After the pick-6, the Tigers would give QB Magnus Torrensen a few snaps at the end of the game which he turned into a touchdown.
Long Island Raiders - 9, Ottawa Royals - 32 - Long Island Stadium - July 6, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
2nd Q
3-7 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
3-10 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3-17 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Colby Bancana
6-17 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
3rd Q
9-17 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
9-20 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
9-22 OTT - Safety S Marc Bellecourt
4th Q
9-29 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
9-32 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
The first rematch of the season got off to a slow start, with both defences having strong starts, but the Royals would start to find their groove in the 2nd with 3 straight scores to go up 6-17 at the break.
In the second half, the Royals’ defence took over, creating 3 turnovers, while the offence continued to rack up the points.
The defence even got in on the scoring when S Marc Bellecourt took QB Ivan Sanchez by surprise on the blitz out of the secondary to take him down in the endzone for a safety.
Bellecourt would add to the safety with a pick near the end of the game as the Royals would dominate to start the season 3-0.
Injury Report
DB Lauri Hayha LI - 8 Weeks
LB Aristofane Zuccaro OTT - 6 Weeks
DL Raymond Pushor PIT - Day-to-Day
LB Lincoln Webster TOR - 1 Week
LB Grover Smith TOR - 3 Weeks
Players of the Week
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 3-0
Indiana 2-1
Minnesota 2-1
Toronto 2-1
Pittsburgh 1-2
London 1-2
Louisville 0-2
EAST
Ottawa 3-0
Halifax 2-1
Boston 1-2
Long Island 1-2
Montreal 0-2
Providence 0-2
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo +1
2 - Ottawa +1
3 - Indiana -2
4 - Halifax -
5 - Minnesota +1
6 - Toronto +2
7 - Pittsburgh -
8 - Long Island -3
9 - Boston +1
10 - Louisville -1
11 - London -
12 - Providence -
13 - Montreal -
Week 4 Games
MTL (0-2) @ LOU (0-2) - JUL 10 - 7 PM ET - Thursday Night Football
IND (2-1) @ PIT (1-2) - JUL 11 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
MIN (2-1) @ TOR (2-1) - JUL 12 - 3 PM ET
BOS (1-2) @ HFX (2-1) - JUL 12 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
OTT (3-0) @ BUF (3-0) - JUL 13 - 1 PM ET
LI (1-2) @ PRO (0-2) - JUL 13 - 4 PM ET
1969 Week 4
Roster Moves
LI: DB Lauri Hayha - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
LI: DB Darby Keller - Reserve List -> Active Roster
OTT: LB Aristofane Zuccaro - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
OTT: LB Braiden Lafrenz - Reserve List -> Active Roster
TOR: LB Grover Smith - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
TOR: LB Erik Delaney - Reserve List -> Active Roster
Louisville Thunder - 9, Montreal Rouge - 18 - Thunder Stadium - July 10, 1969 - 7 PM ET - TNF - Weather: Rain
1st Q
2nd Q
0-7 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR James Hess
3rd Q
0-8 MTL - Single K Arthur Kettinger
0-11 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
6-11 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Alexei Dubois
4th Q
9-11 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
9-18 MTL - RTD RB Carter Roy
The rain in Louisville caused what was expected to be an offensive battle, to be more of a defensive one.
Fumbles and dropped passes occurred throughout the first half with Montreal managing to get the only points from WR James Hess, who was in relief for WR Russell Wilcox who was taken off in the first after injuring his knee.
The second half remained sluggish, but the Rouge added a few more points to get their lead up to 11.
As the rain finally started to quit, the Thunder found a rhythm and QB Buck Murphy would find WR Alexei Dubois in the endzone for a touchdown to keep them in the game.
They would miss the 2-point try, but a field goal in the 4th pulled them to within 2 points of the Rouge.
Montreal managed to control the ball for a majority of the next several minutes, as when Louisville had a chance to move the ball, on just the second play, QB Buck Murphy was picked off by S Garet deVale.
Montreal would tack on a touchdown to close out their first win of the season and leave the Thunder at 0-3.
Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 21, Indiana Victors - 28 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - July 11, 1969 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
0-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
2nd Q
0-14 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
7-14 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Justin Dubuque
3rd Q
14-14 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
14-21 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
4th Q
21-21 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
21-28 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
The Blacksmiths returned home to try and get their second straight win, but the Victors were the ones who got off to a hot start, jumping to a 0-14 lead in the 2nd quarter.
Pittsburgh, luckily, punched back with a touchdown of their own just before the break.
In the 3rd, Pittsburgh managed to tie the game up after RB Tresean Jones ran through LB Terrence Patton and into the endzone.
However, Indiana didn’t take long to retake the lead, scoring on their next drive.
In the final quarter, the Blacksmiths would tie the game up again with a big touchdown pass to WR Taylor Austin.
However, once again, the Victors were keen on winning the match and would drive the field to set up WR Ed Edwards for his second TD of the game to give Indiana the 3-1 start.
Toronto Steelheads - 21, Minnesota Serpents - 29 - Anderson Stadium - July 12, 1969 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
7-3 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
7-6 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
2nd Q
7-13 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
14-13 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
14-16 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
3rd Q
14-19 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
14-26 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Sebastian Dassler
4th Q
14-29 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
21-29 TOR - PTD QB Todd Baker -> TE Jesse Butler
Toronto hoped to ride the momentum from the upset against the Victors last week to get their second straight win.
Overall, they were succeeding have a 14-13 lead in the 2nd quarter, but a late Minnesota field goal would leave them down by 2 at the break.
Minnesota would take over in the second half, as HC Soni Dionne’s game plan finally clicked and the Serpents put up 10 points while allowing nothing in the 3rd.
Minnesota would eventually have a 15-point lead in the final quarter, but Toronto would make it interesting with QB Todd Baker’s first touchdown pass of the season.
However, it was too little, too late, as the Serpents would continue their strong start to 3-1.
Halifax Mariners - 16, Boston Independents - 13 - Atlantic Stadium - July 12, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy/Rain
1st Q
7-0 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
7-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
2nd Q
13-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
13-10 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
3rd Q
13-13 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
16-13 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
4th Q
With the rain threatening in Halifax, both teams aimed to get their offence going early on in case things got dicey later in the game.
WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence would get his first touchdown for his hometown team first before Boston was able to tie it up later in the quarter.
The Mariners would keep up the scoring with WR Shane Steadman getting the okay to get into the endzone.
Boston would only get a field goal before the break, and as halftime hit, so did the rain.
It affected the game throughout the second half as both teams would remain conservative.
Boston would tie the game in the 3rd, but Halifax would get the final score before it really started to pour, leaving the game at a 16-13 score.
Buffalo Blue Wings - 28, Ottawa Royals - 18 - Milton Charles Stadium - July 13, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
7-0 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
7-7 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
2nd Q
7-10 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
7-11 OTT - Single K Ira Foster
3rd Q
14-11 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
14-18 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
4th Q
21-18 BUF - RTD RB Jasper Dickerson
28-18 BUF - INT BUF DB Dean Hawkins
The last two unbeaten teams faced off on Sunday afternoon, with both teams grabbing a touchdown in the opening frame.
Ottawa’s defence would step up in the 2nd quarter to shut down Buffalo, as the offence would get them a 4-point lead.
The second half would kick off with Buffalo getting back into the endzone to retake the lead, but the Royals countered with their own touchdown to take the 4-point lead into the final frame.
Buffalo would get back into the redzone in the 4th before 2nd-year RB Jasper Dickerson would brake off a run on 2nd and 1 for a 17-yard touchdown.
The Royals would hope to get the score back following the Buffalo, score but unfortunately a poorly timed pass from QB Drake Young would get batted up by LB Dallas Dillard and then fell into the arms of DB Dean Hawkins, who would take it back to the house to put the final nail into the game.
Providence Gold Stars - 26, Long Island Raiders - 17 - New Providence Stadium - July 13, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Rain
1st Q
3-0 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
2nd Q
3-7 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
10-7 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Doug Piva
3rd Q
10-10 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
16-10 PRO - RTD RB George Seahorse
4th Q
16-17 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
19-17 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
26-17 PRO - DTD FUM LB Kurt Warlock
Both Providence and Long Island have gotten off to a rough start, so both were hoping they could overcome a rainy day in Providence to get back on track.
Unlike the game up in Halifax, both teams were more ready for the rain and managed to each score a touchdown in the first half.
Providence would have the lead at halftime, but Long Island would tie it back up early in the 3rd.
Providence managed to bounce back and retake the lead with a RB George Seahorse touchdown.
However, a missed extra point would allow the Raiders to take a lead in the 4th off of a RB Dareion Fields touchdown.
Providence would get a field goal to retake the lead, but then they would get a break late with DL Bartolo Cruz knocking the ball out of the arms of QB Ivan Sanchez, who tried to escape the pocket and allowing Kurt Warlock to score the game-clinching touchdown.
Injury Report
DL Ilya Mikaelov LI - Day-to-Day
WR Russell Wilcox MTL - 10 Weeks
DL Zane Tannith OTT - 5 Weeks
DL Matthias Hartmann PIT - Day-to-Day
OL Alan Farquharson TOR - 12 Weeks
Players of the Week
OFF: WR Ed Edwards IND - 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 95 Receiving Yards
DEF: LB Kurt Warlock PRO - 1 Defensive Touchdown, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery, 8 Tackles
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 4-0
Indiana 3-1
Minnesota 3-1
Toronto 2-2
London 1-2
Pittsburgh 1-3
Louisville 0-3
EAST
Ottawa 3-1
Halifax 3-1
Montreal 1-2
Providence 1-2
Boston 1-3
Long Island 1-3
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Ottawa -
3 - Indiana -
4 - Halifax -
5 - Minnesota -
6 - Toronto -
7 - Pittsburgh -
8 - Boston +1
9 - Long Island -1
10 - Providence +2
11 - London -
12 - Montreal +1
13 - Louisville -3
Week 5 Games
BOS (1-3) @ OTT (3-1) - JUL 18 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
LOU (0-3) @ PIT (1-3) - JUL 19 - 12 PM ET
MIN (3-1) @ IND (3-1) - JUL 19 - 3:30 PM ET
BUF (4-0) @ TOR (2-2) - JUL 19 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
PRO (1-2) @ LDN (1-2) - JUL 20 - 1 PM ET
HFX (3-1) @ MTL (1-2) - JUL 20 - 4 PM ET
Roster Moves
LI: DB Lauri Hayha - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
LI: DB Darby Keller - Reserve List -> Active Roster
OTT: LB Aristofane Zuccaro - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
OTT: LB Braiden Lafrenz - Reserve List -> Active Roster
TOR: LB Grover Smith - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
TOR: LB Erik Delaney - Reserve List -> Active Roster
Louisville Thunder - 9, Montreal Rouge - 18 - Thunder Stadium - July 10, 1969 - 7 PM ET - TNF - Weather: Rain
1st Q
2nd Q
0-7 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR James Hess
3rd Q
0-8 MTL - Single K Arthur Kettinger
0-11 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
6-11 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Alexei Dubois
4th Q
9-11 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
9-18 MTL - RTD RB Carter Roy
The rain in Louisville caused what was expected to be an offensive battle, to be more of a defensive one.
Fumbles and dropped passes occurred throughout the first half with Montreal managing to get the only points from WR James Hess, who was in relief for WR Russell Wilcox who was taken off in the first after injuring his knee.
The second half remained sluggish, but the Rouge added a few more points to get their lead up to 11.
As the rain finally started to quit, the Thunder found a rhythm and QB Buck Murphy would find WR Alexei Dubois in the endzone for a touchdown to keep them in the game.
They would miss the 2-point try, but a field goal in the 4th pulled them to within 2 points of the Rouge.
Montreal managed to control the ball for a majority of the next several minutes, as when Louisville had a chance to move the ball, on just the second play, QB Buck Murphy was picked off by S Garet deVale.
Montreal would tack on a touchdown to close out their first win of the season and leave the Thunder at 0-3.
Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 21, Indiana Victors - 28 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - July 11, 1969 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
0-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
2nd Q
0-14 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
7-14 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Justin Dubuque
3rd Q
14-14 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
14-21 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
4th Q
21-21 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
21-28 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
The Blacksmiths returned home to try and get their second straight win, but the Victors were the ones who got off to a hot start, jumping to a 0-14 lead in the 2nd quarter.
Pittsburgh, luckily, punched back with a touchdown of their own just before the break.
In the 3rd, Pittsburgh managed to tie the game up after RB Tresean Jones ran through LB Terrence Patton and into the endzone.
However, Indiana didn’t take long to retake the lead, scoring on their next drive.
In the final quarter, the Blacksmiths would tie the game up again with a big touchdown pass to WR Taylor Austin.
However, once again, the Victors were keen on winning the match and would drive the field to set up WR Ed Edwards for his second TD of the game to give Indiana the 3-1 start.
Toronto Steelheads - 21, Minnesota Serpents - 29 - Anderson Stadium - July 12, 1969 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
7-3 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
7-6 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
2nd Q
7-13 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
14-13 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
14-16 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
3rd Q
14-19 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
14-26 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Sebastian Dassler
4th Q
14-29 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
21-29 TOR - PTD QB Todd Baker -> TE Jesse Butler
Toronto hoped to ride the momentum from the upset against the Victors last week to get their second straight win.
Overall, they were succeeding have a 14-13 lead in the 2nd quarter, but a late Minnesota field goal would leave them down by 2 at the break.
Minnesota would take over in the second half, as HC Soni Dionne’s game plan finally clicked and the Serpents put up 10 points while allowing nothing in the 3rd.
Minnesota would eventually have a 15-point lead in the final quarter, but Toronto would make it interesting with QB Todd Baker’s first touchdown pass of the season.
However, it was too little, too late, as the Serpents would continue their strong start to 3-1.
Halifax Mariners - 16, Boston Independents - 13 - Atlantic Stadium - July 12, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy/Rain
1st Q
7-0 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
7-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
2nd Q
13-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
13-10 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
3rd Q
13-13 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
16-13 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
4th Q
With the rain threatening in Halifax, both teams aimed to get their offence going early on in case things got dicey later in the game.
WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence would get his first touchdown for his hometown team first before Boston was able to tie it up later in the quarter.
The Mariners would keep up the scoring with WR Shane Steadman getting the okay to get into the endzone.
Boston would only get a field goal before the break, and as halftime hit, so did the rain.
It affected the game throughout the second half as both teams would remain conservative.
Boston would tie the game in the 3rd, but Halifax would get the final score before it really started to pour, leaving the game at a 16-13 score.
Buffalo Blue Wings - 28, Ottawa Royals - 18 - Milton Charles Stadium - July 13, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
7-0 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
7-7 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
2nd Q
7-10 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
7-11 OTT - Single K Ira Foster
3rd Q
14-11 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
14-18 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
4th Q
21-18 BUF - RTD RB Jasper Dickerson
28-18 BUF - INT BUF DB Dean Hawkins
The last two unbeaten teams faced off on Sunday afternoon, with both teams grabbing a touchdown in the opening frame.
Ottawa’s defence would step up in the 2nd quarter to shut down Buffalo, as the offence would get them a 4-point lead.
The second half would kick off with Buffalo getting back into the endzone to retake the lead, but the Royals countered with their own touchdown to take the 4-point lead into the final frame.
Buffalo would get back into the redzone in the 4th before 2nd-year RB Jasper Dickerson would brake off a run on 2nd and 1 for a 17-yard touchdown.
The Royals would hope to get the score back following the Buffalo, score but unfortunately a poorly timed pass from QB Drake Young would get batted up by LB Dallas Dillard and then fell into the arms of DB Dean Hawkins, who would take it back to the house to put the final nail into the game.
Providence Gold Stars - 26, Long Island Raiders - 17 - New Providence Stadium - July 13, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Rain
1st Q
3-0 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
2nd Q
3-7 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
10-7 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Doug Piva
3rd Q
10-10 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
16-10 PRO - RTD RB George Seahorse
4th Q
16-17 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
19-17 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
26-17 PRO - DTD FUM LB Kurt Warlock
Both Providence and Long Island have gotten off to a rough start, so both were hoping they could overcome a rainy day in Providence to get back on track.
Unlike the game up in Halifax, both teams were more ready for the rain and managed to each score a touchdown in the first half.
Providence would have the lead at halftime, but Long Island would tie it back up early in the 3rd.
Providence managed to bounce back and retake the lead with a RB George Seahorse touchdown.
However, a missed extra point would allow the Raiders to take a lead in the 4th off of a RB Dareion Fields touchdown.
Providence would get a field goal to retake the lead, but then they would get a break late with DL Bartolo Cruz knocking the ball out of the arms of QB Ivan Sanchez, who tried to escape the pocket and allowing Kurt Warlock to score the game-clinching touchdown.
Injury Report
DL Ilya Mikaelov LI - Day-to-Day
WR Russell Wilcox MTL - 10 Weeks
DL Zane Tannith OTT - 5 Weeks
DL Matthias Hartmann PIT - Day-to-Day
OL Alan Farquharson TOR - 12 Weeks
Players of the Week
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 4-0
Indiana 3-1
Minnesota 3-1
Toronto 2-2
London 1-2
Pittsburgh 1-3
Louisville 0-3
EAST
Ottawa 3-1
Halifax 3-1
Montreal 1-2
Providence 1-2
Boston 1-3
Long Island 1-3
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Ottawa -
3 - Indiana -
4 - Halifax -
5 - Minnesota -
6 - Toronto -
7 - Pittsburgh -
8 - Boston +1
9 - Long Island -1
10 - Providence +2
11 - London -
12 - Montreal +1
13 - Louisville -3
Week 5 Games
BOS (1-3) @ OTT (3-1) - JUL 18 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
LOU (0-3) @ PIT (1-3) - JUL 19 - 12 PM ET
MIN (3-1) @ IND (3-1) - JUL 19 - 3:30 PM ET
BUF (4-0) @ TOR (2-2) - JUL 19 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
PRO (1-2) @ LDN (1-2) - JUL 20 - 1 PM ET
HFX (3-1) @ MTL (1-2) - JUL 20 - 4 PM ET
1969 Week 5
Roster Moves
MTL: WR Russell Wilcox - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
MTL: WR Bruno Lemieux - Reserve List -> Active Roster
OTT: DL Zane Tannith - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
OTT: DL Wallace Cutt - Reserve List -> Active Roster
TOR: OL Alan Farquharson - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
TOR: OL Emerson Parks - Reserve List -> Active Roster
Ottawa Royals - 34, Boston Independents - 20 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - July 18, 1969 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Clear
1st Q
0-3 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
2nd Q
3-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
10-3 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
17-3 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
3rd Q
17-6 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
24-6 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
24-13 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
27-13 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
4th Q
27-20 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Felix Fontaine
34-20 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
The Royals looked to bounce back from their first loss of the season against the Independents, and while they ended up behind 0-3 after the first, a monster 2nd quarter from RB Corbyn Knight would give the Royals a 17-3 lead at the break.
In the second half, Ottawa would extend their lead with a touchdown from WR Marshall Leonard, but Boston did finally counter with 10 points of their own in the 3rd.
In fact, QB Nathaniel Braddock would make it a game when he found WR Felix Fontaine up the sideline for a touchdown to cut the lead to 7.
However, Ottawa would drive the field following the touchdown to burn as much clock as possible and then eventually regain their 14-point lead on RB Corbyn Knight’s 3rd TD of the game.
Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 25, Louisville Thunder - 20 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - July 19, 1969 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Orlando Barrack
10-0 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
2nd Q
10-7 LOU - RTD RB Théodore Lemieux
11-7 PIT - Single K Al Highlander
11-14 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
3rd Q
18-14 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
18-17 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
4th Q
18-20 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
25-20 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
Two struggling teams in the West looked to get their season back on track in Pittsburgh, and it would be the Blacksmiths who would get rolling early with 10-points in the opening quarter.
The second quarter would see the Thunder offence bounce back with RB Théodore Lemieux and WR Casey Coleman grabbing majors.
The game would remain close in the 3rd quarter, with Pittsburgh retaking the lead before Louisville pulled to within 1 point off of a field goal.
The final quarter would be tight and Louisville would be the first to score with a field goal, giving them the 2-point lead with 4 minutes to go.
Those 4 minutes were far too much as the Blacksmiths would drive the field and QB Louis Vaughn would find WR Taylor Austin in the endzone to give them the lead and eventually the win.
Indiana Victors - 26, Minnesota Serpents - 27 - Victory Stadium - July 19, 1969 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
7-0 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> TE Eric Peterson
7-7 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Ferdinand Matthews
2nd Q
14-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
14-14 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
3rd Q
14-17 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
17-17 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
20-17 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4th Q
20-24 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
26-24 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
26-27 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
Indiana returned home to take on the expansion Serpents and got off to a strong start with a touchdown on their first drive of the game.
Minnesota was able to answer back with a touchdown from Ferdinand Matthews, but early in the second, Indiana would retake the lead on a WR Ed Edwards touchdown.
Minnesota still managed to get down the field late in the half and looked to be poised for a field goal, but a missed tackle in the backfield would spring RB Hugo Hughes for a 25-yard touchdown.
In the second half, the offence would slow down with both teams scoring only field goals in the 3rd quarter.
In the 4th quarter, Minnesota would bounce back with a huge touchdown from RB Hugo Hughes, but Indiana still had a strong drive left in the tank.
The Victors would get down and score a touchdown, however, a miss fire on the hold would result in a missed kick on the extra point.
The miss opened the door for the Serpents who would manage to get into range and K Ray Bough would nail a game-winning kick to give Minnesota a 4-1 record.
Toronto Steelheads - 3, Buffalo Blue Wings - 42 - Anderson Stadium - July 19, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> TE Paul Arturberry
0-14 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
2nd Q
0-21 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
3-21 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
3-28 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
3rd Q
3-35 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
4th Q
3-42 BUF - RTD RB Jasper Dickerson
Buffalo rolled into Toronto looking for their 5th win of the season, and they meant business, jumping out to a 3-28 lead in the first half.
RB Jimmy Golden had a pair on the ground while Lemieux hit a couple through the air.
QB Todd Baker struggled throughout the first half for Toronto, throwing 2 picks and fumbling the ball.
In the third, Baker continued his struggle with a 3rd interception and would be pulled for QB Michael Benedict.
Buffalo would add to their lead when WR Tracy Driscoll found some space in behind the Steelheads’ secondary to score a 63-yard touchdown.
In the final quarter, the Blue Wings would bring in some backups with QB Travis Jackson getting into the game.
Jackson played alright, but the breakout player was RB Jasper Dickerson who would get into the endzone on a big 28-yard run.
London Tigers - 20, Providence Gold Stars - 18 - Western Fair Stadium - July 20, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> RB Austin Andrews
7-7 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Owen Paisley
2nd Q
7-8 PRO - Single K Elvis Franklin
10-8 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
10-11 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
3rd Q
17-11 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Joshua Lafleur
4th Q
17-18 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Owen Paisley
20-18 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
The Tigers came into their 4th game of the season with a strong game plan that worked on their first drive of the game to get them up 7-0 early.
However, Providence also had some luck on offence in the opening frame with a touchdown of their own.
The second quarter would see a couple of turnovers and a few points via kicks to leave the game 10-11 at halftime.
In the 3rd, the Tigers’ offence found their grove again with Riley Kiernan eventually finding WR Joshua Lafleur in the endzone for a 17-11 lead.
The Tigers maintained their lead into the final 2 minutes of the final quarter, but the Gold Stars would get a late touchdown on a great diving catch from WR Owen Paisley.
The Tigers would have an answer and got down into field goal range, where K Nimrod Handsworth would knock the 48-yard kick through the uprights to win the game for the Tigers.
Montreal Rouge - 10, Halifax Mariners - 14 - Mount Royal Stadium - July 20, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
2nd Q
0-7 HFX - RTD RB Rashed Smith
3rd Q
7-7 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Yahui Sun
4th Q
10-7 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
10-14 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
The final game of the week was a defensive affair, with neither team getting much on offence in the first 19 minutes of the game.
Eventually, the Mariners would get into the endzone following a fumble created by DL Wayne Baxton.
The game remained at 0-7 until midway through the 3rd, when Gene Bishop would find WR Yahui Sun for a touchdown to tie the game.
Montreal seemed to grab momentum heading into the 4th, eventually taking the lead on a K Arthur Kettinger field goal.
The Rouge defence tried to dig in and stop the Mariners’ attack, and they did a solid job, but the Mariners would get 1 too many chances.
From 16 yards out, QB Lyle Painter would find WR Shane Steadman for the game-winning TD after Steadman improvised a cut back towards the end line to help his scrambling QB.
Injury Report
WR Jimmy Jack BUF - 2 Weeks
WR Lloyd Lane LOU - Day-to-Day
LB Victor Falkensteig PRO - 2 Weeks
OL Bobby Shields PRO - Day-to-Day
DB Oliver Langstrom TOR - Day-to-Day
Players of the Week
OFF: RB Corbyn Knight OTT - 3 Rushing Touchdowns, 122 Rushing Yards
DEF: DL Wayne Baxton HFX - 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Sack, 6 Tackles
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 5-0
Minnesota 4-1
Indiana 3-2
London 2-2
Pittsburgh 2-3
Toronto 2-3
Louisville 0-4
EAST
Ottawa 4-1
Halifax 4-1
Montreal 1-3
Providence 1-3
Long Island 1-3
Boston 1-4
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Ottawa -
3 - Halifax +1
4 - Minnesota +1
5 - Indiana -2
6 - Pittsburgh +1
7 - Toronto -1
8 - London +3
9 - Long Island -
10 - Boston -2
11 - Providence -1
12 - Montreal -
13 - Louisville -
Week 6 Games
HFX (4-1) @ LI (1-3) - JUL 25 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
TOR (2-3) @ PIT (2-3) - JUL 26 - 12 PM ET
IND (3-2) @ LOU (0-4) - JUL 26 - 3:30 PM ET
BOS (1-4) @ PRO (1-3) - JUL 26 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
MTL (1-3) @ OTT (4-1) - JUL 27 - 1 PM ET
LDN (2-2) @ BUF (5-0) - JUL 27 - 4 PM ET
Roster Moves
MTL: WR Russell Wilcox - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
MTL: WR Bruno Lemieux - Reserve List -> Active Roster
OTT: DL Zane Tannith - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
OTT: DL Wallace Cutt - Reserve List -> Active Roster
TOR: OL Alan Farquharson - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
TOR: OL Emerson Parks - Reserve List -> Active Roster
Ottawa Royals - 34, Boston Independents - 20 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - July 18, 1969 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Clear
1st Q
0-3 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
2nd Q
3-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
10-3 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
17-3 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
3rd Q
17-6 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
24-6 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
24-13 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
27-13 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
4th Q
27-20 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Felix Fontaine
34-20 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
The Royals looked to bounce back from their first loss of the season against the Independents, and while they ended up behind 0-3 after the first, a monster 2nd quarter from RB Corbyn Knight would give the Royals a 17-3 lead at the break.
In the second half, Ottawa would extend their lead with a touchdown from WR Marshall Leonard, but Boston did finally counter with 10 points of their own in the 3rd.
In fact, QB Nathaniel Braddock would make it a game when he found WR Felix Fontaine up the sideline for a touchdown to cut the lead to 7.
However, Ottawa would drive the field following the touchdown to burn as much clock as possible and then eventually regain their 14-point lead on RB Corbyn Knight’s 3rd TD of the game.
Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 25, Louisville Thunder - 20 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - July 19, 1969 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Orlando Barrack
10-0 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
2nd Q
10-7 LOU - RTD RB Théodore Lemieux
11-7 PIT - Single K Al Highlander
11-14 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
3rd Q
18-14 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
18-17 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
4th Q
18-20 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
25-20 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
Two struggling teams in the West looked to get their season back on track in Pittsburgh, and it would be the Blacksmiths who would get rolling early with 10-points in the opening quarter.
The second quarter would see the Thunder offence bounce back with RB Théodore Lemieux and WR Casey Coleman grabbing majors.
The game would remain close in the 3rd quarter, with Pittsburgh retaking the lead before Louisville pulled to within 1 point off of a field goal.
The final quarter would be tight and Louisville would be the first to score with a field goal, giving them the 2-point lead with 4 minutes to go.
Those 4 minutes were far too much as the Blacksmiths would drive the field and QB Louis Vaughn would find WR Taylor Austin in the endzone to give them the lead and eventually the win.
Indiana Victors - 26, Minnesota Serpents - 27 - Victory Stadium - July 19, 1969 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
7-0 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> TE Eric Peterson
7-7 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Ferdinand Matthews
2nd Q
14-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
14-14 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
3rd Q
14-17 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
17-17 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
20-17 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4th Q
20-24 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
26-24 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
26-27 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
Indiana returned home to take on the expansion Serpents and got off to a strong start with a touchdown on their first drive of the game.
Minnesota was able to answer back with a touchdown from Ferdinand Matthews, but early in the second, Indiana would retake the lead on a WR Ed Edwards touchdown.
Minnesota still managed to get down the field late in the half and looked to be poised for a field goal, but a missed tackle in the backfield would spring RB Hugo Hughes for a 25-yard touchdown.
In the second half, the offence would slow down with both teams scoring only field goals in the 3rd quarter.
In the 4th quarter, Minnesota would bounce back with a huge touchdown from RB Hugo Hughes, but Indiana still had a strong drive left in the tank.
The Victors would get down and score a touchdown, however, a miss fire on the hold would result in a missed kick on the extra point.
The miss opened the door for the Serpents who would manage to get into range and K Ray Bough would nail a game-winning kick to give Minnesota a 4-1 record.
Toronto Steelheads - 3, Buffalo Blue Wings - 42 - Anderson Stadium - July 19, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> TE Paul Arturberry
0-14 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
2nd Q
0-21 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
3-21 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
3-28 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
3rd Q
3-35 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
4th Q
3-42 BUF - RTD RB Jasper Dickerson
Buffalo rolled into Toronto looking for their 5th win of the season, and they meant business, jumping out to a 3-28 lead in the first half.
RB Jimmy Golden had a pair on the ground while Lemieux hit a couple through the air.
QB Todd Baker struggled throughout the first half for Toronto, throwing 2 picks and fumbling the ball.
In the third, Baker continued his struggle with a 3rd interception and would be pulled for QB Michael Benedict.
Buffalo would add to their lead when WR Tracy Driscoll found some space in behind the Steelheads’ secondary to score a 63-yard touchdown.
In the final quarter, the Blue Wings would bring in some backups with QB Travis Jackson getting into the game.
Jackson played alright, but the breakout player was RB Jasper Dickerson who would get into the endzone on a big 28-yard run.
London Tigers - 20, Providence Gold Stars - 18 - Western Fair Stadium - July 20, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> RB Austin Andrews
7-7 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Owen Paisley
2nd Q
7-8 PRO - Single K Elvis Franklin
10-8 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
10-11 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
3rd Q
17-11 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Joshua Lafleur
4th Q
17-18 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Owen Paisley
20-18 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
The Tigers came into their 4th game of the season with a strong game plan that worked on their first drive of the game to get them up 7-0 early.
However, Providence also had some luck on offence in the opening frame with a touchdown of their own.
The second quarter would see a couple of turnovers and a few points via kicks to leave the game 10-11 at halftime.
In the 3rd, the Tigers’ offence found their grove again with Riley Kiernan eventually finding WR Joshua Lafleur in the endzone for a 17-11 lead.
The Tigers maintained their lead into the final 2 minutes of the final quarter, but the Gold Stars would get a late touchdown on a great diving catch from WR Owen Paisley.
The Tigers would have an answer and got down into field goal range, where K Nimrod Handsworth would knock the 48-yard kick through the uprights to win the game for the Tigers.
Montreal Rouge - 10, Halifax Mariners - 14 - Mount Royal Stadium - July 20, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
2nd Q
0-7 HFX - RTD RB Rashed Smith
3rd Q
7-7 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Yahui Sun
4th Q
10-7 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
10-14 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
The final game of the week was a defensive affair, with neither team getting much on offence in the first 19 minutes of the game.
Eventually, the Mariners would get into the endzone following a fumble created by DL Wayne Baxton.
The game remained at 0-7 until midway through the 3rd, when Gene Bishop would find WR Yahui Sun for a touchdown to tie the game.
Montreal seemed to grab momentum heading into the 4th, eventually taking the lead on a K Arthur Kettinger field goal.
The Rouge defence tried to dig in and stop the Mariners’ attack, and they did a solid job, but the Mariners would get 1 too many chances.
From 16 yards out, QB Lyle Painter would find WR Shane Steadman for the game-winning TD after Steadman improvised a cut back towards the end line to help his scrambling QB.
Injury Report
WR Jimmy Jack BUF - 2 Weeks
WR Lloyd Lane LOU - Day-to-Day
LB Victor Falkensteig PRO - 2 Weeks
OL Bobby Shields PRO - Day-to-Day
DB Oliver Langstrom TOR - Day-to-Day
Players of the Week
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 5-0
Minnesota 4-1
Indiana 3-2
London 2-2
Pittsburgh 2-3
Toronto 2-3
Louisville 0-4
EAST
Ottawa 4-1
Halifax 4-1
Montreal 1-3
Providence 1-3
Long Island 1-3
Boston 1-4
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Ottawa -
3 - Halifax +1
4 - Minnesota +1
5 - Indiana -2
6 - Pittsburgh +1
7 - Toronto -1
8 - London +3
9 - Long Island -
10 - Boston -2
11 - Providence -1
12 - Montreal -
13 - Louisville -
Week 6 Games
HFX (4-1) @ LI (1-3) - JUL 25 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
TOR (2-3) @ PIT (2-3) - JUL 26 - 12 PM ET
IND (3-2) @ LOU (0-4) - JUL 26 - 3:30 PM ET
BOS (1-4) @ PRO (1-3) - JUL 26 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
MTL (1-3) @ OTT (4-1) - JUL 27 - 1 PM ET
LDN (2-2) @ BUF (5-0) - JUL 27 - 4 PM ET
1969 Week 6
Long Island Raiders - 17, Halifax Mariners - 14 - Long Island Stadium - July 25, 1969 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy/Light Rain
1st Q
7-0 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
2nd Q
10-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
10-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
3rd Q
4th Q
10-14 HFX - RTD RB Rashed Smith
17-14 LI - PTD QB Landon Ross -> WR Larry Mossholder
The Raiders came off of their bye week with QB Landon Ross leading the way after a tough 1-3 start, however, some believe it could also be because QB Ivan Sanchez had suffered an injury in Week 4, and made it worse during practice.
Either way, the Ross-led Raiders’ offence started off the game very well with RB Dareion Fields opening the scoring.
The Raiders would get up to a 10-0 lead before WR Shane Steadman would score a touchdown to pull Halifax back into the match.
In the 3rd, both defences would clamp down and shut out the opposing offence.
However, Halifax would take the lead in the 4th when RB Rashed Smith broke into the endzone.
The Raiders needed a clutch drive out of QB Landon Ross, and the QB delivered with a meticulous drive ending in a touchdown to WR Larry Mossholder to give the team their second win of the season.
Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 44, Toronto Steelheads - 28 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - July 26, 1969 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
10-0 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
10-7 TOR - PTD QB Todd Baker -> WR Sterling Underhill
2nd Q
17-7 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Orlando Barrack
24-7 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
3rd Q
31-7 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
31-14 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
34-14 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
4th Q
34-21 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
41-21 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR TE Bobby Clark
41-28 TOR - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> RB Max Tracy
44-28 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
After taking a horrendous beating in the previous week against the Blue Wings, the Steelheads were hoping to bounce back against their rival Blacksmiths.
However, Pittsburgh would be the ones to get to a strong start, scoring on both of their first two drives.
Toronto would answer back with WR Sterling Underhill scoring on a 42-yard play.
Despite the score, Pittsburgh did not let up and QB Louis Vaughn would tear up the Steelheads’ defence for a pair of touchdown passes in the 2nd quarter.
To make matters worse for the Steelheads, QB Todd Baker would leave the game after taking a big hit in the 2nd quarter.
QB Michael Benedict came into the game and did get the Steelheads back to the endzone in the 3rd, but Pittsburgh still added 10 more points to their lead.
RB Max Tracy tried everything to help get the Steelheads over the hump, scoring a 2nd touchdown early in the 4th, but Louis Vaughn was fired up for this game and would throw his 4th TD of the game.
Max Tracy would score a 3rd TD, but there was no use as Pittsburgh grabbed their 2nd straight win.
Louisville Thunder - 24, Indiana Victors - 31 - Thunder Stadium - July 26, 1969 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Clear - Game of the Week
1st Q
0-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Jake Abbredezzi
7-7 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
2nd Q
7-14 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
3rd Q
7-17 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
7-24 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Silas Peyton
14-24 LOU - RTD RB Niel Bradley
4th Q
21-24 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Casey Coleman
24-24 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
24-31 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
The Thunder, in just their 2nd home game of the season, were hoping to finally get in the win column against their rivals in Indiana.
Everything seemed to be going well early with both teams scoring a touchdown in the opening quarter, however, tragedy struck for the Thunder when QB Buck Murphy fumbled the ball.
In the scramble to get the ball, Murphy would jump into the fray and an opposing player’s helmet would ram into his throwing hand, leaving the QB unable to hold a ball.
Indy, who recovered the fumble, would score on the ensuing drive to go up by 7.
Former 1st-Round QB David Simmons would be the one to take the reins for the Thunder.
Simmons’ first couple of drives were slow, but he would eventually start to click and lead the Thunder to a pair of touchdowns in the 2nd half to pull back to within 3 points of the Victors, who had extended their lead earlier in the half.
Simmons continued his strong performance and tied the game late, but Indiana would have one last say in the matter, scoring the deciding touchdown at the end of the game.
Providence Gold Stars - 14, Boston Independents - 24 - New Providence Stadium - July 26, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> TE Spencer Griepentrog
2nd Q
0-10 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
3rd Q
7-10 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Justin Palmer
7-17 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
4th Q
14-17 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Owen Paisley
14-24 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
Boston rolled into Providence looking for the season sweep against their hated rivals.
Much like their first meeting, Boston would control the first half with the offence getting a 0-10 lead and their defence shutting down Providence’s offence.
Providence would show some signs of life in the 3rd with a touchdown drive, but Boston had an answer later on to regain their 10-point lead.
The 4th quarter would feel like deja vu, with Providence getting an early TD and then Boston answering back with a RB Reggie Whitehead touchdown.
Boston would hold off the Gold Stars to claim their 2nd win of the season.
Ottawa Royals - 33, Montreal Rouge - 21 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - July 27, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
7-3 MTL - FG K Athur Kettinger
10-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
2nd Q
17-3 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
17-4 MTL - Single K Arthur Kettinger
3rd Q
17-11 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> TE John Schall
20-11 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
20-14 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
4th Q
20-21 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
26-21 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Colby Bancana
33-21 OTT - DTD INT S Marc Bellecourt
The classic Canadian rivalry would see the 4-1 Royals get out to a 10-3 lead in the opening quarter.
In the second quarter, the Royals would continue to build their lead with QB Drake Young throwing a touchdown to WR Marshall Leonard, while Montreal only managed a single point.
Luckily for Montreal, the second half would flip in their favour as QB Gene Bishop would find rookie TE John Schall for his first career touchdown.
As the 4th quarter began, Montreal was on the move down by 6.
They would score early in the final quarter and take the 1-point lead, however, Ottawa was able to answer back, but was only up by 5 after a missed 2-point try.
Montreal was looking to drive once again, but S Marc Bellecourt would anticipate a throw from QB Gene Bishop and would intercept the pass and take it to the house to clinch the Royals’ 5th win of the year.
Buffalo Blue Wings - 23, London Tigers - 12 - Milton Charles Stadium - July 27, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
0-6 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
2nd Q
7-6 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Nick Nacker
7-9 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
14-9 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
3rd Q
17-9 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
20-9 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
4th Q
20-12 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
23-12 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
Buffalo and London got together for their classic mid-season home-and-home, and in the first half the Tigers showed that they were here to fight, shutting down the Blue Wings’ offence in the opening quarter while jumping out to a 0-6 lead.
Buffalo did finally find a rhythm in the 2nd, scoring a pair of touchdowns to take a 5-point lead into the half.
In the second half, Buffalo continued to slowly grow their lead with a couple of field goals, however, they were still struggling to get into the endzone.
Luckily for Buffalo, their defence was also keeping the Tigers out of the endzone, just not out of range for K Nimrod Handsworth who had 4 field goals on the day.
Buffalo would still hold off their rivals to give them a 6-0 record.
*Fun Fact: This is actually Buffalo’s best-ever start to a season. In fact, they have never started better than 2-0 in a season. They have made it 4 games as an unbeaten team starting 3-0-1 in 1954, but never be perfect for more than 2 games.
Injury Report
WR Jav Kerrigan HFX - 5 Weeks
DB Cameron Taylor IND - Day-to-Day
QB Buck Murphy LOU - 10 Weeks
S Tom McDougall LOU - Day-to-Day
QB Ivan Sanchez LI - 3 Weeks
OL Elliot Barrett MTL - 3 Weeks
DL Tournel Guay MTL - Day-to-Day
LB Kenneth Mercer MTL - 11 Weeks
OL Peter Kingsley OTT - 2 Weeks
RB Ronnie Byers PRO - 2 Weeks
WR Doug Piva PRO - 6 Weeks
QB Todd Baker TOR - 1 Week
Players of the Week
OFF: QB Louis Vaughn PIT - 4 Passing Touchdowns, 265 Passing Yards
DEF: S Marc Bellecourt OTT - 1 Defensive Touchdown, 1 Interception, 9 Tackles
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 6-0
Minnesota 4-1
Indiana 4-2
Pittsburgh 3-3
London 2-3
Toronto 2-4
Louisville 0-5
EAST
Ottawa 5-1
Halifax 4-2
Long Island 2-3
Boston 2-4
Montreal 1-4
Providence 1-4
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Ottawa -
3 - Minnesota +1
4 - Halifax -1
5 - Indiana -
6 - Pittsburgh -
7 - Long Island +2
8 - Boston +2
9 - London -1
10 - Toronto -3
11 - Providence -
12 - Montreal -
13 - Louisville -
Week 7 Games
LOU (0-5) @ PRO (1-4) - JUL 31 - 7 PM ET - Thursday Night Football
IND (4-2) @ MIN (4-1) - AUG 1 - 8 PM ET - Friday Night Football
LI (2-3) @ HFX (4-2) - AUG 2 - 3 PM ET
PIT (3-3) @ MTL (1-4) - AUG 2 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
TOR (2-4) @ BOS (2-4) - AUG 3 - 1 PM ET
BUF (6-0) @ LDN (2-3) - AUG 3 - 4 PM ET
BYE: OTT (5-1)
1st Q
7-0 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
2nd Q
10-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
10-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
3rd Q
4th Q
10-14 HFX - RTD RB Rashed Smith
17-14 LI - PTD QB Landon Ross -> WR Larry Mossholder
The Raiders came off of their bye week with QB Landon Ross leading the way after a tough 1-3 start, however, some believe it could also be because QB Ivan Sanchez had suffered an injury in Week 4, and made it worse during practice.
Either way, the Ross-led Raiders’ offence started off the game very well with RB Dareion Fields opening the scoring.
The Raiders would get up to a 10-0 lead before WR Shane Steadman would score a touchdown to pull Halifax back into the match.
In the 3rd, both defences would clamp down and shut out the opposing offence.
However, Halifax would take the lead in the 4th when RB Rashed Smith broke into the endzone.
The Raiders needed a clutch drive out of QB Landon Ross, and the QB delivered with a meticulous drive ending in a touchdown to WR Larry Mossholder to give the team their second win of the season.
Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 44, Toronto Steelheads - 28 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - July 26, 1969 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
10-0 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
10-7 TOR - PTD QB Todd Baker -> WR Sterling Underhill
2nd Q
17-7 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Orlando Barrack
24-7 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
3rd Q
31-7 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
31-14 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
34-14 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
4th Q
34-21 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
41-21 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR TE Bobby Clark
41-28 TOR - PTD QB Michael Benedict -> RB Max Tracy
44-28 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
After taking a horrendous beating in the previous week against the Blue Wings, the Steelheads were hoping to bounce back against their rival Blacksmiths.
However, Pittsburgh would be the ones to get to a strong start, scoring on both of their first two drives.
Toronto would answer back with WR Sterling Underhill scoring on a 42-yard play.
Despite the score, Pittsburgh did not let up and QB Louis Vaughn would tear up the Steelheads’ defence for a pair of touchdown passes in the 2nd quarter.
To make matters worse for the Steelheads, QB Todd Baker would leave the game after taking a big hit in the 2nd quarter.
QB Michael Benedict came into the game and did get the Steelheads back to the endzone in the 3rd, but Pittsburgh still added 10 more points to their lead.
RB Max Tracy tried everything to help get the Steelheads over the hump, scoring a 2nd touchdown early in the 4th, but Louis Vaughn was fired up for this game and would throw his 4th TD of the game.
Max Tracy would score a 3rd TD, but there was no use as Pittsburgh grabbed their 2nd straight win.
Louisville Thunder - 24, Indiana Victors - 31 - Thunder Stadium - July 26, 1969 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Clear - Game of the Week
1st Q
0-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Jake Abbredezzi
7-7 LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Lloyd Lane
2nd Q
7-14 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
3rd Q
7-17 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
7-24 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Silas Peyton
14-24 LOU - RTD RB Niel Bradley
4th Q
21-24 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Casey Coleman
24-24 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
24-31 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
The Thunder, in just their 2nd home game of the season, were hoping to finally get in the win column against their rivals in Indiana.
Everything seemed to be going well early with both teams scoring a touchdown in the opening quarter, however, tragedy struck for the Thunder when QB Buck Murphy fumbled the ball.
In the scramble to get the ball, Murphy would jump into the fray and an opposing player’s helmet would ram into his throwing hand, leaving the QB unable to hold a ball.
Indy, who recovered the fumble, would score on the ensuing drive to go up by 7.
Former 1st-Round QB David Simmons would be the one to take the reins for the Thunder.
Simmons’ first couple of drives were slow, but he would eventually start to click and lead the Thunder to a pair of touchdowns in the 2nd half to pull back to within 3 points of the Victors, who had extended their lead earlier in the half.
Simmons continued his strong performance and tied the game late, but Indiana would have one last say in the matter, scoring the deciding touchdown at the end of the game.
Providence Gold Stars - 14, Boston Independents - 24 - New Providence Stadium - July 26, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> TE Spencer Griepentrog
2nd Q
0-10 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
3rd Q
7-10 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Justin Palmer
7-17 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
4th Q
14-17 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Owen Paisley
14-24 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
Boston rolled into Providence looking for the season sweep against their hated rivals.
Much like their first meeting, Boston would control the first half with the offence getting a 0-10 lead and their defence shutting down Providence’s offence.
Providence would show some signs of life in the 3rd with a touchdown drive, but Boston had an answer later on to regain their 10-point lead.
The 4th quarter would feel like deja vu, with Providence getting an early TD and then Boston answering back with a RB Reggie Whitehead touchdown.
Boston would hold off the Gold Stars to claim their 2nd win of the season.
Ottawa Royals - 33, Montreal Rouge - 21 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - July 27, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
7-3 MTL - FG K Athur Kettinger
10-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
2nd Q
17-3 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
17-4 MTL - Single K Arthur Kettinger
3rd Q
17-11 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> TE John Schall
20-11 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
20-14 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
4th Q
20-21 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
26-21 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Colby Bancana
33-21 OTT - DTD INT S Marc Bellecourt
The classic Canadian rivalry would see the 4-1 Royals get out to a 10-3 lead in the opening quarter.
In the second quarter, the Royals would continue to build their lead with QB Drake Young throwing a touchdown to WR Marshall Leonard, while Montreal only managed a single point.
Luckily for Montreal, the second half would flip in their favour as QB Gene Bishop would find rookie TE John Schall for his first career touchdown.
As the 4th quarter began, Montreal was on the move down by 6.
They would score early in the final quarter and take the 1-point lead, however, Ottawa was able to answer back, but was only up by 5 after a missed 2-point try.
Montreal was looking to drive once again, but S Marc Bellecourt would anticipate a throw from QB Gene Bishop and would intercept the pass and take it to the house to clinch the Royals’ 5th win of the year.
Buffalo Blue Wings - 23, London Tigers - 12 - Milton Charles Stadium - July 27, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
0-6 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
2nd Q
7-6 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Nick Nacker
7-9 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
14-9 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
3rd Q
17-9 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
20-9 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
4th Q
20-12 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
23-12 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
Buffalo and London got together for their classic mid-season home-and-home, and in the first half the Tigers showed that they were here to fight, shutting down the Blue Wings’ offence in the opening quarter while jumping out to a 0-6 lead.
Buffalo did finally find a rhythm in the 2nd, scoring a pair of touchdowns to take a 5-point lead into the half.
In the second half, Buffalo continued to slowly grow their lead with a couple of field goals, however, they were still struggling to get into the endzone.
Luckily for Buffalo, their defence was also keeping the Tigers out of the endzone, just not out of range for K Nimrod Handsworth who had 4 field goals on the day.
Buffalo would still hold off their rivals to give them a 6-0 record.
*Fun Fact: This is actually Buffalo’s best-ever start to a season. In fact, they have never started better than 2-0 in a season. They have made it 4 games as an unbeaten team starting 3-0-1 in 1954, but never be perfect for more than 2 games.
Injury Report
WR Jav Kerrigan HFX - 5 Weeks
DB Cameron Taylor IND - Day-to-Day
QB Buck Murphy LOU - 10 Weeks
S Tom McDougall LOU - Day-to-Day
QB Ivan Sanchez LI - 3 Weeks
OL Elliot Barrett MTL - 3 Weeks
DL Tournel Guay MTL - Day-to-Day
LB Kenneth Mercer MTL - 11 Weeks
OL Peter Kingsley OTT - 2 Weeks
RB Ronnie Byers PRO - 2 Weeks
WR Doug Piva PRO - 6 Weeks
QB Todd Baker TOR - 1 Week
Players of the Week
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 6-0
Minnesota 4-1
Indiana 4-2
Pittsburgh 3-3
London 2-3
Toronto 2-4
Louisville 0-5
EAST
Ottawa 5-1
Halifax 4-2
Long Island 2-3
Boston 2-4
Montreal 1-4
Providence 1-4
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Ottawa -
3 - Minnesota +1
4 - Halifax -1
5 - Indiana -
6 - Pittsburgh -
7 - Long Island +2
8 - Boston +2
9 - London -1
10 - Toronto -3
11 - Providence -
12 - Montreal -
13 - Louisville -
Week 7 Games
LOU (0-5) @ PRO (1-4) - JUL 31 - 7 PM ET - Thursday Night Football
IND (4-2) @ MIN (4-1) - AUG 1 - 8 PM ET - Friday Night Football
LI (2-3) @ HFX (4-2) - AUG 2 - 3 PM ET
PIT (3-3) @ MTL (1-4) - AUG 2 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
TOR (2-4) @ BOS (2-4) - AUG 3 - 1 PM ET
BUF (6-0) @ LDN (2-3) - AUG 3 - 4 PM ET
BYE: OTT (5-1)
1969 Week 7
Roster Moves
HFX: WR Jav Kerrigan - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
HFX: WR Barnaby Underwood-Zimmerman - Reserve List -> Active Roster
LOU: QB Buck Murphy - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
LOU: QB Andrew Muffin - Reserve List -> Active Roster
MTL: LB Kenneth Mercer - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
MTL: LB Buddy Harwick - Reserve List -> Active Roster
PRO: WR Doug Piva - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
PRO: WR German Maksimov - Reserve List -> Active Roster
TOR: LB Grover Smith - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
TOR: LB Erik Delaney - Active Roster -> Reserve List
Providence Gold Stars - 19, Louisville Thunder - 13 - New Providence Stadium - July 31, 1969 - 7 PM ET - TNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
2nd Q
6-0 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
6-3 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
13-3 PRO - RTD RB George Seahorse
3rd Q
13-6 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
13-13 LOU - RTD QB David Simmons
4th Q
19-13 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Owen Paisley
A Thursday night affair between two teams looking to turn their seasons around would start slow with field goals being the lone source of points.
Providence RB Ronnie Byers would end up leaving the game with an injury early in the first half (his second injury of the season), which would allow RB George Seahorse to flash his talents and get into the endzone late in the half to put the Gold Stars up by 10.
The Thunder were being led by QB David Simmons, who made his first career start and struggled in the first half, however, he bounced back in the 3rd quarter to tie the game at 10.
The final quarter would still be an offensive struggle for both teams, but Providence would score a late touchdown to take the lead, however, on the extra point try, the kick would be blocked and K Elvis Franklin would get mixed up in the fray and get hurt.
In the end, the Gold Stars would hold on for their 2nd win of the season, while the Thunder remained winless.
Minnesota Serpents - 24, Indiana Victors - 15 - Midgard Stadium - August 1, 1969 - 8 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Evan Clanton
14-0 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
2nd Q
14-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
17-7 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
3rd Q
17-14 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
24-14 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> TE Hunter Ziegelbauer
4th Q
24-15 IND - Single K Ross Poindexter
Minnesota came off the bye week firing on cylinders, jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the opening quarter, while the Victors struggled to move the ball at all.
Luckily for Indy, they would bounce back in the 2nd quarter and would score a touchdown early.
Indy continued the climb back into the game with a touchdown to start the 3rd quarter, but Minnesota was able to answer back to regain a 10-point lead.
The final quarter would see the Victors shut down the Serpents, but Minnesota’s defence was also shutting down Indy.
The Victors would get down with a chance to score, but K Ross Poindexter would miss the field goal and leave the Victors still down by 2 scores.
Indiana would eventually run out of time and Minnesota would get their 3rd straight win.
Halifax Mariners - 27, Long Island Raiders - 20 - OT - Atlantic Stadium - August 2, 1969 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
0-7 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
3-7 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
2nd Q
10-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
3rd Q
17-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
17-10 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
4th Q
20-10 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
20-17 LI - PTD QB Landon Ross -> WR Larry Mossholder
20-20 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
OT
27-20 HFX - QB Lyle Painter -> WR Dwayne Alexander
The Mariners and Raiders met for the second half of their home-and-home, and it would be a gritty duel.
Both teams were focusing on the run to start, which led to a very ground-and-pound game.
The Raiders would benefit from having RB Dareion Fields in their backfield and would score the first touchdown.
The Mariners were less lucky with their run game as RB Rashed Smith would go down with an injury.
However, the injury might have been a blessing in disguise as the passing game was very effective leading to a pair of Mariners’ touchdowns to give them a 17-7 lead.
The Raiders needed to make adjustments and they too found the passing game to be a little more effective, as QB Landon Ross led the Raiders back into the game to tie it late.
In the extra frame, the Mariners would get the lone score as QB Lyle Painter would find his 3rd different WR for a touchdown.
Montreal Rouge - 14, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 37 - Mount Royal Stadium - August 2, 1969 - 7 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
0-14 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
2nd Q
0-21 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
0-24 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
7-24 MTL - RTD RB Carter Roy
7-27 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
3rd Q
14-27 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
14-34 PIT - RTD QB Louis Vaughn
4th Q
14-37 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
The red-hot Blacksmiths arrived in Montreal to play in from of the crazy "Rouge Sea" and silenced the usually loud fan base with a stellar opening quarter from QB Louis Vaughn and WR Taylor Austin.
The Pittsburgh defence would continue to stop the Rouge offence and their offence continued to roll with 13 more points in the 2nd.
Down 0-24 Montreal’s fans did start to turn on the team and boos would chorus out after every miscue.
Montreal was still able to score a touchdown to keep them just barely alive in the game.
In fact, the score would lead to a rejuvenated Rouge team in the second half would manage to hold off the Blacksmiths and would get back to the endzone again.
Things were turned around until QB Gene Bishop threw his 2nd interception of the game in the 3rd, and QB Louis Vaughn would run a QB sneak at the 1 to extend Pittsburgh’s lead.
The final quarter would see both team’s backup QBs get a shot with QB Mike Key getting in for Montreal, and QB Leif Christiansen getting in for Pittsburgh.
Boston Independents - 42, Toronto Steelheads - 12 - Richardson Stadium - August 3, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
3-3 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
3-6 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
10-6 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Felix Fontaine
2nd Q
13-6 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
20-6 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
3rd Q
27-6 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
34-6 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
34-9 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
4th Q
35-9 BOS - Single K Woody Woodstock
42-9 BOS - DTD INT DB Mordecai King
42-12 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
After a slow start to the game, the Independents seemed to wake from their slumber and put on an offensive show, going up 20-6 by halftime.
In the second half, they continued pile on with a pair of touchdowns along with a couple of turnovers from their defence.
Toronto struggled yet again, as Boston did a good job containing RB Max Tracy, and the passing game was not going anywhere with QB Michael Benedict struggling to get into a rhythm.
After Benedict threw the ball into the arms of DB Mordecai King for the second time of the game, this time for pick-6, the Steelheads would put former Independents’ backup QB, Cecil Farmer, into the game.
Farmer faired alright in the limited action, getting the Steelheads 3 more, points but the team was blown out for the 3rd time in a row.
London Tigers - 16, Buffalo Blue Wings - 23 - Western Fair Stadium - August 3, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
0-14 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
2nd Q
3-14 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
3-15 BUF - Single K Ryan Perch
3rd Q
6-15 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
13-15 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Carter Henderson
4th Q
16-15 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
16-21 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
16-23 BUF - 2PT RB Jimmy Golden
After a surprisingly close duel last week, the Blue Wings were not messing around with their rivals and would jump out to a 0-14 lead in the opening quarter.
However, the Tigers’ defence would step up in the 2nd quarter to allow only a single point.
The second half would continue to trend in favour of the Tigers, who continued to shut out the Blue Wings, and the offence got them 10 points to pull to within 2 points of the Blue Wings.
Eventually, the Tigers would take the lead on a Nimrod Handsworth field goal, leaving the Blue Wings reeling, suddenly down by 1.
Luckily for the unbeaten Blue Wings, Charles Lemieux can turn up the heat, and he would lead the Blue Wings down the field to clinch the game with a RB Jimmy Golden touchdown and a 2-point conversion.
Injury Report
DB Ty Boone BOS - 5 Weeks
S Ernie Osborne BOS - 1 Week
DL Timmy Kerr BOS - Day-to-Day
OL Reynold Gilbertson BOS - 5 Weeks
WR Tracy Driscoll BUF - 2 Weeks
RB Rashed Smith HFX - 2 Weeks
OL Viktor Stahl IND - 7 Weeks
DL Mo Kahn LDN - Day-to-Day
OL Forrest Green LI - 2 Weeks
OL Bubba Hankins LOU - 1 Week
WR Yahui Sun MTL - 2 Weeks
S Jarrett Sutherland PIT - 3 Weeks
K Elvis Franklin PRO - 3 Weeks
Players of the Week
OFF: QB Lyle Painter HFX - 3 Passing Touchdowns, 303 Passing Yards
DEF: DB Mordecai King BOS - 2 Interceptions, 1 Defensive Touchdown, 3 Tackles
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 7-0
Minnesota 5-1
Indiana 4-3
Pittsburgh 4-3
London 2-4
Toronto 2-5
Louisville 0-6
EAST
Ottawa 5-1
Halifax 5-2
Boston 3-4
Providence 2-4
Long Island 2-4
Montreal 1-5
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Ottawa -
3 - Minnesota -
4 - Halifax -
5 - Pittsburgh +1
6 - Indiana -1
7 - Boston +1
8 - Long Island -1
9 - London -
10 - Providence +1
11 - Toronto -1
12 - Montreal -
13 - Louisville -
Week 8 Games
MIN (5-1) @ LDN (2-4) - AUG 8 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
OTT (5-1) @ IND (4-3) - AUG 9 - 12 PM ET
PRO (2-4) @ PIT (4-3) - AUG 9 - 3:30 PM ET
MTL (1-5) @ LI (2-4) - AUG 9 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
LOU (0-6) @ TOR (2-4) - AUG 10 - 1 PM ET
HFX (5-2) @ BOS (3-4) - AUG 10 - 4 PM ET
BYE: BUF (7-0)
HFX: WR Jav Kerrigan - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
HFX: WR Barnaby Underwood-Zimmerman - Reserve List -> Active Roster
LOU: QB Buck Murphy - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
LOU: QB Andrew Muffin - Reserve List -> Active Roster
MTL: LB Kenneth Mercer - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
MTL: LB Buddy Harwick - Reserve List -> Active Roster
PRO: WR Doug Piva - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
PRO: WR German Maksimov - Reserve List -> Active Roster
TOR: LB Grover Smith - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
TOR: LB Erik Delaney - Active Roster -> Reserve List
Providence Gold Stars - 19, Louisville Thunder - 13 - New Providence Stadium - July 31, 1969 - 7 PM ET - TNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
2nd Q
6-0 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
6-3 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
13-3 PRO - RTD RB George Seahorse
3rd Q
13-6 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
13-13 LOU - RTD QB David Simmons
4th Q
19-13 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Owen Paisley
A Thursday night affair between two teams looking to turn their seasons around would start slow with field goals being the lone source of points.
Providence RB Ronnie Byers would end up leaving the game with an injury early in the first half (his second injury of the season), which would allow RB George Seahorse to flash his talents and get into the endzone late in the half to put the Gold Stars up by 10.
The Thunder were being led by QB David Simmons, who made his first career start and struggled in the first half, however, he bounced back in the 3rd quarter to tie the game at 10.
The final quarter would still be an offensive struggle for both teams, but Providence would score a late touchdown to take the lead, however, on the extra point try, the kick would be blocked and K Elvis Franklin would get mixed up in the fray and get hurt.
In the end, the Gold Stars would hold on for their 2nd win of the season, while the Thunder remained winless.
Minnesota Serpents - 24, Indiana Victors - 15 - Midgard Stadium - August 1, 1969 - 8 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Evan Clanton
14-0 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
2nd Q
14-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
17-7 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
3rd Q
17-14 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
24-14 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> TE Hunter Ziegelbauer
4th Q
24-15 IND - Single K Ross Poindexter
Minnesota came off the bye week firing on cylinders, jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the opening quarter, while the Victors struggled to move the ball at all.
Luckily for Indy, they would bounce back in the 2nd quarter and would score a touchdown early.
Indy continued the climb back into the game with a touchdown to start the 3rd quarter, but Minnesota was able to answer back to regain a 10-point lead.
The final quarter would see the Victors shut down the Serpents, but Minnesota’s defence was also shutting down Indy.
The Victors would get down with a chance to score, but K Ross Poindexter would miss the field goal and leave the Victors still down by 2 scores.
Indiana would eventually run out of time and Minnesota would get their 3rd straight win.
Halifax Mariners - 27, Long Island Raiders - 20 - OT - Atlantic Stadium - August 2, 1969 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
0-7 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
3-7 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
2nd Q
10-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
3rd Q
17-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
17-10 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
4th Q
20-10 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
20-17 LI - PTD QB Landon Ross -> WR Larry Mossholder
20-20 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
OT
27-20 HFX - QB Lyle Painter -> WR Dwayne Alexander
The Mariners and Raiders met for the second half of their home-and-home, and it would be a gritty duel.
Both teams were focusing on the run to start, which led to a very ground-and-pound game.
The Raiders would benefit from having RB Dareion Fields in their backfield and would score the first touchdown.
The Mariners were less lucky with their run game as RB Rashed Smith would go down with an injury.
However, the injury might have been a blessing in disguise as the passing game was very effective leading to a pair of Mariners’ touchdowns to give them a 17-7 lead.
The Raiders needed to make adjustments and they too found the passing game to be a little more effective, as QB Landon Ross led the Raiders back into the game to tie it late.
In the extra frame, the Mariners would get the lone score as QB Lyle Painter would find his 3rd different WR for a touchdown.
Montreal Rouge - 14, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 37 - Mount Royal Stadium - August 2, 1969 - 7 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
0-14 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
2nd Q
0-21 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
0-24 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
7-24 MTL - RTD RB Carter Roy
7-27 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
3rd Q
14-27 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
14-34 PIT - RTD QB Louis Vaughn
4th Q
14-37 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
The red-hot Blacksmiths arrived in Montreal to play in from of the crazy "Rouge Sea" and silenced the usually loud fan base with a stellar opening quarter from QB Louis Vaughn and WR Taylor Austin.
The Pittsburgh defence would continue to stop the Rouge offence and their offence continued to roll with 13 more points in the 2nd.
Down 0-24 Montreal’s fans did start to turn on the team and boos would chorus out after every miscue.
Montreal was still able to score a touchdown to keep them just barely alive in the game.
In fact, the score would lead to a rejuvenated Rouge team in the second half would manage to hold off the Blacksmiths and would get back to the endzone again.
Things were turned around until QB Gene Bishop threw his 2nd interception of the game in the 3rd, and QB Louis Vaughn would run a QB sneak at the 1 to extend Pittsburgh’s lead.
The final quarter would see both team’s backup QBs get a shot with QB Mike Key getting in for Montreal, and QB Leif Christiansen getting in for Pittsburgh.
Boston Independents - 42, Toronto Steelheads - 12 - Richardson Stadium - August 3, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
3-3 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
3-6 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
10-6 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Felix Fontaine
2nd Q
13-6 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
20-6 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
3rd Q
27-6 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
34-6 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
34-9 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
4th Q
35-9 BOS - Single K Woody Woodstock
42-9 BOS - DTD INT DB Mordecai King
42-12 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
After a slow start to the game, the Independents seemed to wake from their slumber and put on an offensive show, going up 20-6 by halftime.
In the second half, they continued pile on with a pair of touchdowns along with a couple of turnovers from their defence.
Toronto struggled yet again, as Boston did a good job containing RB Max Tracy, and the passing game was not going anywhere with QB Michael Benedict struggling to get into a rhythm.
After Benedict threw the ball into the arms of DB Mordecai King for the second time of the game, this time for pick-6, the Steelheads would put former Independents’ backup QB, Cecil Farmer, into the game.
Farmer faired alright in the limited action, getting the Steelheads 3 more, points but the team was blown out for the 3rd time in a row.
London Tigers - 16, Buffalo Blue Wings - 23 - Western Fair Stadium - August 3, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
0-14 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
2nd Q
3-14 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
3-15 BUF - Single K Ryan Perch
3rd Q
6-15 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
13-15 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Carter Henderson
4th Q
16-15 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
16-21 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
16-23 BUF - 2PT RB Jimmy Golden
After a surprisingly close duel last week, the Blue Wings were not messing around with their rivals and would jump out to a 0-14 lead in the opening quarter.
However, the Tigers’ defence would step up in the 2nd quarter to allow only a single point.
The second half would continue to trend in favour of the Tigers, who continued to shut out the Blue Wings, and the offence got them 10 points to pull to within 2 points of the Blue Wings.
Eventually, the Tigers would take the lead on a Nimrod Handsworth field goal, leaving the Blue Wings reeling, suddenly down by 1.
Luckily for the unbeaten Blue Wings, Charles Lemieux can turn up the heat, and he would lead the Blue Wings down the field to clinch the game with a RB Jimmy Golden touchdown and a 2-point conversion.
Injury Report
DB Ty Boone BOS - 5 Weeks
S Ernie Osborne BOS - 1 Week
DL Timmy Kerr BOS - Day-to-Day
OL Reynold Gilbertson BOS - 5 Weeks
WR Tracy Driscoll BUF - 2 Weeks
RB Rashed Smith HFX - 2 Weeks
OL Viktor Stahl IND - 7 Weeks
DL Mo Kahn LDN - Day-to-Day
OL Forrest Green LI - 2 Weeks
OL Bubba Hankins LOU - 1 Week
WR Yahui Sun MTL - 2 Weeks
S Jarrett Sutherland PIT - 3 Weeks
K Elvis Franklin PRO - 3 Weeks
Players of the Week
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 7-0
Minnesota 5-1
Indiana 4-3
Pittsburgh 4-3
London 2-4
Toronto 2-5
Louisville 0-6
EAST
Ottawa 5-1
Halifax 5-2
Boston 3-4
Providence 2-4
Long Island 2-4
Montreal 1-5
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Ottawa -
3 - Minnesota -
4 - Halifax -
5 - Pittsburgh +1
6 - Indiana -1
7 - Boston +1
8 - Long Island -1
9 - London -
10 - Providence +1
11 - Toronto -1
12 - Montreal -
13 - Louisville -
Week 8 Games
MIN (5-1) @ LDN (2-4) - AUG 8 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
OTT (5-1) @ IND (4-3) - AUG 9 - 12 PM ET
PRO (2-4) @ PIT (4-3) - AUG 9 - 3:30 PM ET
MTL (1-5) @ LI (2-4) - AUG 9 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
LOU (0-6) @ TOR (2-4) - AUG 10 - 1 PM ET
HFX (5-2) @ BOS (3-4) - AUG 10 - 4 PM ET
BYE: BUF (7-0)
1969 Week 8
Roster Moves
BOS: DB Ty Boone - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
BOS: DB Foley DeGraaf - Reserve List -> Active Roster
BOS: OL Reynold Gilbertson - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
BOS: OL Fisher Blackmon - Reserve List -> Active Roster
IND: OL Viktor Stahl - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
IND: OL Bret Atkins - Reserve List -> Active Roster
PRO: K Elvis Franklin - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
PRO: K Gilbert O’Neill - Free Agency -> Active Roster
London Tigers - 26, Minnesota Serpents - 28 - Western Fair Stadium - August 8, 1969 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
3-0 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
2nd Q
6-0 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
6-7 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
6-14 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Evan Clanton
9-14 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
3rd Q
15-14 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> TE Tranquille Rousseau
17-14 LDN - 2PT QB Riley Kiernan -> RB Austin Andrews
4th Q
20-14 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
20-21 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
20-28 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Sebastian Dassler
26-28 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Cole Fletcher
The Tigers’ defence, who showed they could tango with the Blue Wings over the last couple of weeks, got off to a strong start against the Serpents, holding them to 0 points in the opening quarter.
However, Minnesota eventually found a way to break the Tigers’ defence and scored a pair of touchdowns in the 2nd quarter.
The Tigers would stick with the Serpents and eventually take the lead in the 3rd with a touchdown and 2-point conversion.
The Tigers would extend their lead early in the 4th, but Minnesota once again kicked into high gear and scored 2 more touchdowns to take the 20-28 lead.
The Tigers seemed to be down for the count, but WR Cole Fletcher would break behind the Serpents’ defence and would score a 52-yard touchdown.
They would aim to tie the game on the 2-point conversion, but Minnesota DB Davey Woods would break up the pass after having been beaten on the touchdown play to save the game for Minnesota.
Indiana Victors - 31, Ottawa Royals - 28 - Victory Stadium - August 9, 1969 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
0-7 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
7-7 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
2nd Q
7-14 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
14-14 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
21-14 IND - DTD INT DB Cameron Taylor
3rd Q
28-14 IND - RTD RB Ed Finley
4th Q
28-21 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Cedric Peterson
28-28 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
31-28 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
The Royals looked to continue their strong play coming off of their bye week against the Indiana Victors.
Ottawa got off to a strong start with a touchdown in the opening quarter, but Indiana had an answer with Raymond Green getting into the endzone.
Ottawa would retake the lead in the 2nd with a RB Corbyn Knight touchdown, but Indiana once again would tie the game up shortly after.
Ottawa was looking to drive again in the later stages of the 2nd quarter, but QB Drake Young would end up getting picked by DB Cameron Taylor who would take it to the house to give Indiana the lead.
Unfortunately, some injuries would hinder both teams with Ottawa losing both WR Colby Bancana and WR Piers Key, and Indiana losing RB Raymond Green.
RB Ed Finley came in for the Victors and played well, scoring a touchdown in the 3rd to give Indy the 14-point lead, heading into the 4th.
In the final quarter, it was comeback time for the Royals, as QB Drake Young would lead them to a pair of scores, the first of which going to WR Cedric Peterson, who scored his first touchdown for his hometown team.
Indiana didn’t let the comeback phase them and they would bounce back for a game-winning field goal to win their 5th game of the season.
Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 36, Providence Gold Stars - 24 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - August 9, 1969 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
10-0 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Orlando Barrack
10-7 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Justin Palmer
2nd Q
13-7 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
13-10 PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
16-10 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
3rd Q
23-10 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
23-17 PRO - RTD RB George Seahorse
4th Q
26-17 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
26-24 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Owen Paisley
33-24 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
36-24 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
After putting up 81 points over their last two games, the Blacksmiths’ offence continued to roll early against the Gold Stars, jumping out to a 10-0 lead.
Providence did have an answer late in the quarter, but Pittsburgh would maintain their lead heading into the 2nd half.
Pittsburgh’s offence returned to form early in the 3rd, scoring a second touchdown to go up by 13.
Providence would keep the game close with a touchdown of their own and eventually would pull to within 2-points on an Owen Paisley touchdown in the 4th.
Pittsburgh was quick to respond with another touchdown to regain their 2-score lead.
Providence would give it one last go, but they would eventually be stopped on 3rd and 4 in their own end, which would lead to a field goal to seal the win for the Blacksmiths.
Long Island Raiders - 12, Montreal Rouge - 10 - Long Island Stadium - August 9 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
2nd Q
6-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
3rd Q
9-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
9-3 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
4th Q
9-10 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Erik Hodge
12-10 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
Primetime football was not getting its best matchup this week as both the Rouge and Raiders' offences played very sloppy.
There were many turnovers, dropped passes, and punts as neither team could get into a rhythm.
The Raiders were faring a bit better than the Rouge with K Henderson Schumacher getting some points on the board.
The Raiders maintained the lead heading into the final quarter, but Montreal finally had a big play with WR James Hess making a tough grab to get into the redzone.
Montreal would convert on the opportunity and take their first lead of the game on WR Erik Hodge’s first career touchdown.
The Raiders didn’t need to do too much to get into the range of K Henderson Schumacher, and QB Landon Ross would make a couple of good throws to get them there.
Schumacher would hit the game-winning kick to give the Raiders the ugly win.
Toronto Steelheads - 23, Louisville Thunder - 17 - Anderson Stadium - August 10 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
2nd Q
10-0 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
13-0 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
13-7 LOU - RTD RB Neil Bradley
3rd Q
20-7 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
20-10 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
4th Q
23-10 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
23-17 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Casey Coleman
After being battered in their last several games, Toronto was happy to have QB Todd Baker back in the lineup.
Baker, along with RB Max Tracy, would get the Steelheads up to a 13-0 lead.
Louisville did keep themselves in the game with a touchdown from RB Neil Bradley, just before halftime.
In the second half, Tracy continued to dominate on the ground and get the Steelheads back up by 13.
They would stay in front, but Louisville had one last drive in them with WR Casey Coleman catching a big touchdown in the 4th quarter.
Unfortunately for Louisville, the score was not enough to get back into the game and the Steelheads would hold on.
Boston Independents - 20, Halifax Mariners - 14 - Richardson Stadium - August 10 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
2nd Q
7-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
14-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
3rd Q
17-7 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
17-14 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
4th Q
20-14 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
Boston was looking to string together their first 3-game win streak since 1965, taking on the 2nd-place Mariners.
Boston got out to a lead with a RB Reggie Whitehead touchdown in the opening quarter.
The Mariners would answer back in the 2nd quarter with WR Shane Steadman’s 6th touchdown of the season.
However, Boston managed to bounce back with a touchdown of their own from WR Zachariah Pembroke to take the lead into the break.
Boston extended their lead early on, but Halifax would eventually score on a somewhat controversial play as WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence had slid to one knee to make the catch at the 12-yard line.
DB Mordecai King reached and touched Murray-Lawrence, but Murray-Lawrence had jumped up to his feet.
King thought he got the WR down, but the refs' point of view said he was up, so Boston had given up on the play and Murray-Lawrence walked in for a touchdown.
The Boston faithful did not like the call, but it was likely the right one.
Luckily for the home crowd, their team’s defence would step up and shut down Halifax and hold on for the win.
Injury Report
S Jack Simon BOS - 3 Weeks
DL Bernard King HFX - 2 Weeks
DL Howard Grant IND - 2 Weeks
RB Raymond Green IND - 2 Weeks
OL Gregg Rosenberg IND - Day-to-Day
OL Taylor Alexander IND - 4 Weeks
LB Tyrone Butler LDN - Day-to-Day
WR Piers Key OTT - 2 Weeks
WR Colby Bancana OTT - Day-to-Day
LB Sam Wheeler OTT - 1 Week
QB Ray Trace PIT - 1 Week
WR Mark Taylor PRO - 9 Weeks
Players of the Week
OFF: RB Max Tracy TOR - 2 Rushing Touchdowns, 131 Rushing Yards
DEF: DB Cameron Taylor IND - 1 Interception, 1 Defensive Touchdown, 5 Tackles, 2 Passes Defended
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 7-0
Minnesota 6-1
Indiana 5-3
Pittsburgh 5-3
Toronto 3-5
London 2-5
Louisville 0-7
EAST
Ottawa 5-2
Halifax 5-3
Boston 4-4
Long Island 3-4
Providence 2-5
Montreal 1-6
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Minnesota +1
3 - Ottawa -1
4 - Pittsburgh +1
5 - Indiana +1
6 - Halifax -2
7 - Boston -
8 - Long Island -
9 - London -
10 - Toronto +1
11 - Providence -1
12 - Montreal -
13 - Louisville -
Week 9 Games
PRO (2-5) @ OTT (5-2) - AUG 14 - 7 PM ET - Thursday Night Football
LI (3-4) @ MIN (6-1) - AUG 15 - 8 PM ET - Friday Night Football
LDN (2-5) @ IND (5-3) - AUG 16 - 3 PM ET
MTL (1-6) @ BOS (4-4) - AUG 16 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
TOR (3-5) @ BUF (7-0) - AUG 17 - 1 PM ET
Roster Moves
BOS: DB Ty Boone - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
BOS: DB Foley DeGraaf - Reserve List -> Active Roster
BOS: OL Reynold Gilbertson - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
BOS: OL Fisher Blackmon - Reserve List -> Active Roster
IND: OL Viktor Stahl - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
IND: OL Bret Atkins - Reserve List -> Active Roster
PRO: K Elvis Franklin - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
PRO: K Gilbert O’Neill - Free Agency -> Active Roster
London Tigers - 26, Minnesota Serpents - 28 - Western Fair Stadium - August 8, 1969 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
3-0 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
2nd Q
6-0 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
6-7 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
6-14 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Evan Clanton
9-14 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
3rd Q
15-14 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> TE Tranquille Rousseau
17-14 LDN - 2PT QB Riley Kiernan -> RB Austin Andrews
4th Q
20-14 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
20-21 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
20-28 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Sebastian Dassler
26-28 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Cole Fletcher
The Tigers’ defence, who showed they could tango with the Blue Wings over the last couple of weeks, got off to a strong start against the Serpents, holding them to 0 points in the opening quarter.
However, Minnesota eventually found a way to break the Tigers’ defence and scored a pair of touchdowns in the 2nd quarter.
The Tigers would stick with the Serpents and eventually take the lead in the 3rd with a touchdown and 2-point conversion.
The Tigers would extend their lead early in the 4th, but Minnesota once again kicked into high gear and scored 2 more touchdowns to take the 20-28 lead.
The Tigers seemed to be down for the count, but WR Cole Fletcher would break behind the Serpents’ defence and would score a 52-yard touchdown.
They would aim to tie the game on the 2-point conversion, but Minnesota DB Davey Woods would break up the pass after having been beaten on the touchdown play to save the game for Minnesota.
Indiana Victors - 31, Ottawa Royals - 28 - Victory Stadium - August 9, 1969 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
0-7 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
7-7 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
2nd Q
7-14 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
14-14 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
21-14 IND - DTD INT DB Cameron Taylor
3rd Q
28-14 IND - RTD RB Ed Finley
4th Q
28-21 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Cedric Peterson
28-28 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
31-28 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
The Royals looked to continue their strong play coming off of their bye week against the Indiana Victors.
Ottawa got off to a strong start with a touchdown in the opening quarter, but Indiana had an answer with Raymond Green getting into the endzone.
Ottawa would retake the lead in the 2nd with a RB Corbyn Knight touchdown, but Indiana once again would tie the game up shortly after.
Ottawa was looking to drive again in the later stages of the 2nd quarter, but QB Drake Young would end up getting picked by DB Cameron Taylor who would take it to the house to give Indiana the lead.
Unfortunately, some injuries would hinder both teams with Ottawa losing both WR Colby Bancana and WR Piers Key, and Indiana losing RB Raymond Green.
RB Ed Finley came in for the Victors and played well, scoring a touchdown in the 3rd to give Indy the 14-point lead, heading into the 4th.
In the final quarter, it was comeback time for the Royals, as QB Drake Young would lead them to a pair of scores, the first of which going to WR Cedric Peterson, who scored his first touchdown for his hometown team.
Indiana didn’t let the comeback phase them and they would bounce back for a game-winning field goal to win their 5th game of the season.
Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 36, Providence Gold Stars - 24 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - August 9, 1969 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
10-0 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Orlando Barrack
10-7 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Justin Palmer
2nd Q
13-7 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
13-10 PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
16-10 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
3rd Q
23-10 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
23-17 PRO - RTD RB George Seahorse
4th Q
26-17 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
26-24 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Owen Paisley
33-24 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
36-24 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
After putting up 81 points over their last two games, the Blacksmiths’ offence continued to roll early against the Gold Stars, jumping out to a 10-0 lead.
Providence did have an answer late in the quarter, but Pittsburgh would maintain their lead heading into the 2nd half.
Pittsburgh’s offence returned to form early in the 3rd, scoring a second touchdown to go up by 13.
Providence would keep the game close with a touchdown of their own and eventually would pull to within 2-points on an Owen Paisley touchdown in the 4th.
Pittsburgh was quick to respond with another touchdown to regain their 2-score lead.
Providence would give it one last go, but they would eventually be stopped on 3rd and 4 in their own end, which would lead to a field goal to seal the win for the Blacksmiths.
Long Island Raiders - 12, Montreal Rouge - 10 - Long Island Stadium - August 9 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
2nd Q
6-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
3rd Q
9-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
9-3 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
4th Q
9-10 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Erik Hodge
12-10 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
Primetime football was not getting its best matchup this week as both the Rouge and Raiders' offences played very sloppy.
There were many turnovers, dropped passes, and punts as neither team could get into a rhythm.
The Raiders were faring a bit better than the Rouge with K Henderson Schumacher getting some points on the board.
The Raiders maintained the lead heading into the final quarter, but Montreal finally had a big play with WR James Hess making a tough grab to get into the redzone.
Montreal would convert on the opportunity and take their first lead of the game on WR Erik Hodge’s first career touchdown.
The Raiders didn’t need to do too much to get into the range of K Henderson Schumacher, and QB Landon Ross would make a couple of good throws to get them there.
Schumacher would hit the game-winning kick to give the Raiders the ugly win.
Toronto Steelheads - 23, Louisville Thunder - 17 - Anderson Stadium - August 10 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
2nd Q
10-0 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
13-0 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
13-7 LOU - RTD RB Neil Bradley
3rd Q
20-7 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
20-10 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
4th Q
23-10 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
23-17 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Casey Coleman
After being battered in their last several games, Toronto was happy to have QB Todd Baker back in the lineup.
Baker, along with RB Max Tracy, would get the Steelheads up to a 13-0 lead.
Louisville did keep themselves in the game with a touchdown from RB Neil Bradley, just before halftime.
In the second half, Tracy continued to dominate on the ground and get the Steelheads back up by 13.
They would stay in front, but Louisville had one last drive in them with WR Casey Coleman catching a big touchdown in the 4th quarter.
Unfortunately for Louisville, the score was not enough to get back into the game and the Steelheads would hold on.
Boston Independents - 20, Halifax Mariners - 14 - Richardson Stadium - August 10 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
2nd Q
7-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
14-7 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
3rd Q
17-7 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
17-14 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
4th Q
20-14 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
Boston was looking to string together their first 3-game win streak since 1965, taking on the 2nd-place Mariners.
Boston got out to a lead with a RB Reggie Whitehead touchdown in the opening quarter.
The Mariners would answer back in the 2nd quarter with WR Shane Steadman’s 6th touchdown of the season.
However, Boston managed to bounce back with a touchdown of their own from WR Zachariah Pembroke to take the lead into the break.
Boston extended their lead early on, but Halifax would eventually score on a somewhat controversial play as WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence had slid to one knee to make the catch at the 12-yard line.
DB Mordecai King reached and touched Murray-Lawrence, but Murray-Lawrence had jumped up to his feet.
King thought he got the WR down, but the refs' point of view said he was up, so Boston had given up on the play and Murray-Lawrence walked in for a touchdown.
The Boston faithful did not like the call, but it was likely the right one.
Luckily for the home crowd, their team’s defence would step up and shut down Halifax and hold on for the win.
Injury Report
S Jack Simon BOS - 3 Weeks
DL Bernard King HFX - 2 Weeks
DL Howard Grant IND - 2 Weeks
RB Raymond Green IND - 2 Weeks
OL Gregg Rosenberg IND - Day-to-Day
OL Taylor Alexander IND - 4 Weeks
LB Tyrone Butler LDN - Day-to-Day
WR Piers Key OTT - 2 Weeks
WR Colby Bancana OTT - Day-to-Day
LB Sam Wheeler OTT - 1 Week
QB Ray Trace PIT - 1 Week
WR Mark Taylor PRO - 9 Weeks
Players of the Week
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 7-0
Minnesota 6-1
Indiana 5-3
Pittsburgh 5-3
Toronto 3-5
London 2-5
Louisville 0-7
EAST
Ottawa 5-2
Halifax 5-3
Boston 4-4
Long Island 3-4
Providence 2-5
Montreal 1-6
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Minnesota +1
3 - Ottawa -1
4 - Pittsburgh +1
5 - Indiana +1
6 - Halifax -2
7 - Boston -
8 - Long Island -
9 - London -
10 - Toronto +1
11 - Providence -1
12 - Montreal -
13 - Louisville -
Week 9 Games
PRO (2-5) @ OTT (5-2) - AUG 14 - 7 PM ET - Thursday Night Football
LI (3-4) @ MIN (6-1) - AUG 15 - 8 PM ET - Friday Night Football
LDN (2-5) @ IND (5-3) - AUG 16 - 3 PM ET
MTL (1-6) @ BOS (4-4) - AUG 16 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
TOR (3-5) @ BUF (7-0) - AUG 17 - 1 PM ET
*BUF clinches playoff spot with Win + BOS Loss
PIT (5-3) @ LOU (0-7) - AUG 17 - 4 PM ET
BYE: HFX (5-3)
PIT (5-3) @ LOU (0-7) - AUG 17 - 4 PM ET
BYE: HFX (5-3)
1969 Week 9
Roster Moves
IND: OL Taylor Alexander - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
IND: OL Peter Manning - Reserve List -> Active Roster
OTT: OL Amos Sewell - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
OTT: OL Wesley Lee - Active Roster -> Waivers
PRO: WR Mark Taylor - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
PRO: WR Weston Laurier - Free Agency -> Active Roster
Ottawa Royals - 36, Providence Gold Stars - 6 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - August 14, 1969 - 7 PM ET - TNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> TE Luiss de Brands
14-0 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Colby Bancana
2nd Q
17-0 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
17-3 PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
20-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3rd Q
27-3 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
27-6 PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
4th Q
29-6 OTT - Safety DL Bernhard Hartmann
36-6 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
After suffering their second loss of the season, the Royals returned home to put on a clinic against the Gold Stars.
Both sides of the ball were playing at their peak for the Royals as the offence put up 20-points in the first half, while their defence only allowed 3.
Ottawa continued to pull away in the second half with another touchdown pass from QB Drake Young, while the defence continued to create turnovers, most notably DL Bernhard Hartmann hitting the ball out of the arms of QB Ulysses Lawyer.
The Gold Stars had no answers for the Royals and would end up taking a safety when DL Bernhard Hartmann flew past his blocker to take RB George Seahorse down in the endzone.
Ottawa would hold on for their 6th win of the season and create a one-game buffer on the Mariners.
Minnesota Serpents - 20, Long Island Raiders - 14 - Midgard Stadium - August 15, 1969 - 8 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
10-0 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Sebastian Dassler
2nd Q
17-0 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Edward Webb
17-7 LI - PTD QB Landon Ross -> TE Ryan Hatcher
3rd Q
17-14 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
4th Q
20-14 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
The Raiders made one of their longest trips out to Minnesota, hoping to keep pace with Boston and Pittsburgh for the final playoff spot.
Unfortunately, they would find themselves in an early hole as Minnesota swiftly got out to a 10-0 lead, before Dumont would throw a second touchdown to give them a 17-0 lead.
The Raiders were fortunate enough to get into the endzone late in the half to show some life.
The momentum swing appeared to help as RB Dareion Fields would make it a 3-point game in the 3rd quarter.
Minnesota was able to get 3 more points to extend their lead to 6, and then their defence would hold off the Raiders' attack to secure their record-tying 7th win of the season for most wins by any team in their first season in the league (they join Boston (7-1 : 1949) and Toronto (7-5 : 1964) for the record with 4 games to try and break it).
Indiana Victors - 34, London Tigers - 26 - Victory Stadium - August 16, 1969 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
3-3 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
3-6 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
10-6 IND - RTD RB Ed Finley
2nd Q
17-6 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Silas Peyton
17-12 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
3rd Q
24-12 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
24-15 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
27-15 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4th Q
27-18 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
34-18 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
34-24 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Joshua Lafleur
34-26 LDN - 2PT RB Austin Andrews
The Victors looked to take advantage of their second straight home-game to get their first back-to-back wins since Week 1 and 2.
However, the Tigers continued to show they could compete with the top teams, having 3-6 lead early in the game.
Eventually, Indiana’s offence broke through with a pair of first-half TDs, but the Tigers were able to answer back to make it a 5-point game at halftime.
Indiana continued to pull away early in the 3rd with WR Ed Edwards’ league-leading 11th touchdown.
The Tigers struggled to get into the endzone and were starting to fall behind, eventually dropping back to a 16-point deficit after Ed Edwards’ 12th touchdown of the season.
London would get a late score from WR Joshua Lafleur and a 2-point convert to make a 1-score game, but Indiana would hold on for their 2nd straight win.
Boston Independents - 31, Montreal Rouge - 16 - Richardson Stadium - August 16, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Felix Fontaine
7-3 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
2nd Q
14-3 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> TE Spencer Griepentrog
14-10 MTL - PTD QB Mike Key -> WR Taylor Karis
3rd Q
21-10 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
21-13 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
21-16 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
4th Q
24-16 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
31-16 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
After their 4th consecutive loss, the Rouge decided to change things up and sat QB Gene Bishop in favour of QB Mike Key.
Key would get off to a slow start, while QB Nathaniel Braddock and the Independents would get out to a 14-3 lead.
Montreal’s offence did manage to score a late-first-half touchdown to keep the game within reach.
In the 3rd, Boston would extend their lead back up to 11, but Montreal continued to chip away with a pair of field goals.
However, the Rouge offence would stall out in the final quarter, while RB Reggie Whitehead had his way with the Rouge defence to extend Boston’s lead up to 15.
Buffalo Blue Wings - 37, Toronto Steelheads - 8 - Milton Charles Stadium - August 17, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
14-0 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
2nd Q
14-7 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
21-7 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
21-8 TOR - Single K Vic Greatwood
3rd Q
24-8 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
31-8 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Nick Nacker
4th Q
34-8 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
37-8 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
Toronto was hoping for a better showing against the Blue Wings, than the 42-3 beating they took back in Week 5.
Unfortunately, they would be quickly smacked in the mouth by RB Jimmy Golden, who tore up the front 7 for 76 yards and 2 touchdowns in the opening quarter.
Toronto would have an answer back with RB Max Tracy, but Buffalo swiftly scored on the ensuing drive to make it 21-7.
The second half would see the Steelheads’ defence manage to hold off the Blue Wings’ offence a bit more effectively than in the first half, but they still allowed 16-points, while their offence was completely shut down.
Louisville Thunder - 28, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 29 - Thunder Stadium - August 17, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
7-0 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Casey Coleman
7-3 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
7-6 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
2nd Q
7-13 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Justin Dubuque
7-16 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
3rd Q
7-19 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
14-19 LOU - RTD RB Neil Bradley
21-19 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Lloyd Lane
4th Q
28-19 LOU - DTD FUM LB Le’Darius Wynn
28-26 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
28-29 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
After only 2 home games in their first 7 games, the Thunder returned home to hopefully pick up a win in their home stretch of 4 of 5 at home.
Their first test was against the red-hot Blacksmiths who entered the game on a 4-game win streak.
QB David Simmons would get the Thunder up early with a touchdown pass to WR Casey Coleman, but the Blacksmiths would go on to score the next 16 points to take a 7-16 lead into the break.
The boos from the crowd may have gotten to the Thunder who would bounce back in the 3rd quarter, scoring 2 touchdowns to get the lead 21-19.
Pittsburgh hoped to rebound in the final quarter, but DL Bjorn Sigmarsson would get the ball loose from RB Tresean Jones and LB Le’Darius Wynn would take it to the house to give them the 9-point lead.
Louisville looked poised to win their first game of the season, but QB Louis Vaughn had a different idea and led the Blacksmiths on a tear in the final 5 minutes to come back and win the game on a game-winning kick from K Al Highlander.
Injury Report
DL Chuck Charleston III BOS - Season
DB Michael Cornell III BOS - 2 Weeks
WR Jake Abbredezzi IND - 3 Weeks
DL Fred Webster IND - 6 Weeks
DB Neville Falkner IND - Day-to-Day
S Johnny Berger LOU - Season
TE Rex Williamson LOU - 1 Week
WR Evan Clanton MIN - Day-to-Day
DB Davey Woods MIN - Season
TE Oliver Chandler MTL - 2 Weeks
Players of the Week
OFF: WR Ed Edwards IND - 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 138 Receiving Yards
DEF: DL Bernhard Hartmann OTT - 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Safety, 2 Sacks, 6 Tackles
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 8-0
Minnesota 7-1
Indiana 6-3
Pittsburgh 6-3
Toronto 3-6
London 2-6
Louisville 0-8
EAST
Ottawa 6-2
Halifax 5-3
Boston 5-4
Long Island 3-5
Providence 2-6
Montreal 1-7
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Minnesota -
3 - Ottawa -
4 - Pittsburgh -
5 - Indiana -
6 - Boston +1
7 - Halifax -1
8 - Long Island -
9 - London -
10 - Toronto -
11 - Providence -
12 - Louisville +1
13 - Montreal -1
Week 10 Games
TOR (3-6) @ LDN (2-6) - AUG 21 - 7 PM ET - Thursday Night Football
OTT (6-2) @ MTL (1-7) - AUG 22 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
BUF (8-0) @ LI (3-5) - AUG 23 - 3 PM ET
*BUF clinches playoff spot with Win or BOS Loss
PIT (6-3) @ MIN (7-1) - AUG 23 - 7:30 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
*MIN clinches playoff spot with Win + BOS Loss
HFX (5-3) @ PRO (2-6) - AUG 24 - 1 PM ET
BOS (5-4) @ LOU (0-8) - AUG 24 - 4 PM ET
BYE: IND (6-3)
Roster Moves
IND: OL Taylor Alexander - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
IND: OL Peter Manning - Reserve List -> Active Roster
OTT: OL Amos Sewell - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
OTT: OL Wesley Lee - Active Roster -> Waivers
PRO: WR Mark Taylor - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
PRO: WR Weston Laurier - Free Agency -> Active Roster
Ottawa Royals - 36, Providence Gold Stars - 6 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - August 14, 1969 - 7 PM ET - TNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> TE Luiss de Brands
14-0 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Colby Bancana
2nd Q
17-0 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
17-3 PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
20-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3rd Q
27-3 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
27-6 PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
4th Q
29-6 OTT - Safety DL Bernhard Hartmann
36-6 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
After suffering their second loss of the season, the Royals returned home to put on a clinic against the Gold Stars.
Both sides of the ball were playing at their peak for the Royals as the offence put up 20-points in the first half, while their defence only allowed 3.
Ottawa continued to pull away in the second half with another touchdown pass from QB Drake Young, while the defence continued to create turnovers, most notably DL Bernhard Hartmann hitting the ball out of the arms of QB Ulysses Lawyer.
The Gold Stars had no answers for the Royals and would end up taking a safety when DL Bernhard Hartmann flew past his blocker to take RB George Seahorse down in the endzone.
Ottawa would hold on for their 6th win of the season and create a one-game buffer on the Mariners.
Minnesota Serpents - 20, Long Island Raiders - 14 - Midgard Stadium - August 15, 1969 - 8 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
10-0 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Sebastian Dassler
2nd Q
17-0 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Edward Webb
17-7 LI - PTD QB Landon Ross -> TE Ryan Hatcher
3rd Q
17-14 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
4th Q
20-14 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
The Raiders made one of their longest trips out to Minnesota, hoping to keep pace with Boston and Pittsburgh for the final playoff spot.
Unfortunately, they would find themselves in an early hole as Minnesota swiftly got out to a 10-0 lead, before Dumont would throw a second touchdown to give them a 17-0 lead.
The Raiders were fortunate enough to get into the endzone late in the half to show some life.
The momentum swing appeared to help as RB Dareion Fields would make it a 3-point game in the 3rd quarter.
Minnesota was able to get 3 more points to extend their lead to 6, and then their defence would hold off the Raiders' attack to secure their record-tying 7th win of the season for most wins by any team in their first season in the league (they join Boston (7-1 : 1949) and Toronto (7-5 : 1964) for the record with 4 games to try and break it).
Indiana Victors - 34, London Tigers - 26 - Victory Stadium - August 16, 1969 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
3-3 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
3-6 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
10-6 IND - RTD RB Ed Finley
2nd Q
17-6 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Silas Peyton
17-12 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
3rd Q
24-12 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
24-15 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
27-15 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4th Q
27-18 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
34-18 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
34-24 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Joshua Lafleur
34-26 LDN - 2PT RB Austin Andrews
The Victors looked to take advantage of their second straight home-game to get their first back-to-back wins since Week 1 and 2.
However, the Tigers continued to show they could compete with the top teams, having 3-6 lead early in the game.
Eventually, Indiana’s offence broke through with a pair of first-half TDs, but the Tigers were able to answer back to make it a 5-point game at halftime.
Indiana continued to pull away early in the 3rd with WR Ed Edwards’ league-leading 11th touchdown.
The Tigers struggled to get into the endzone and were starting to fall behind, eventually dropping back to a 16-point deficit after Ed Edwards’ 12th touchdown of the season.
London would get a late score from WR Joshua Lafleur and a 2-point convert to make a 1-score game, but Indiana would hold on for their 2nd straight win.
Boston Independents - 31, Montreal Rouge - 16 - Richardson Stadium - August 16, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Felix Fontaine
7-3 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
2nd Q
14-3 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> TE Spencer Griepentrog
14-10 MTL - PTD QB Mike Key -> WR Taylor Karis
3rd Q
21-10 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
21-13 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
21-16 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
4th Q
24-16 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
31-16 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
After their 4th consecutive loss, the Rouge decided to change things up and sat QB Gene Bishop in favour of QB Mike Key.
Key would get off to a slow start, while QB Nathaniel Braddock and the Independents would get out to a 14-3 lead.
Montreal’s offence did manage to score a late-first-half touchdown to keep the game within reach.
In the 3rd, Boston would extend their lead back up to 11, but Montreal continued to chip away with a pair of field goals.
However, the Rouge offence would stall out in the final quarter, while RB Reggie Whitehead had his way with the Rouge defence to extend Boston’s lead up to 15.
Buffalo Blue Wings - 37, Toronto Steelheads - 8 - Milton Charles Stadium - August 17, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
14-0 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
2nd Q
14-7 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
21-7 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
21-8 TOR - Single K Vic Greatwood
3rd Q
24-8 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
31-8 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Nick Nacker
4th Q
34-8 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
37-8 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
Toronto was hoping for a better showing against the Blue Wings, than the 42-3 beating they took back in Week 5.
Unfortunately, they would be quickly smacked in the mouth by RB Jimmy Golden, who tore up the front 7 for 76 yards and 2 touchdowns in the opening quarter.
Toronto would have an answer back with RB Max Tracy, but Buffalo swiftly scored on the ensuing drive to make it 21-7.
The second half would see the Steelheads’ defence manage to hold off the Blue Wings’ offence a bit more effectively than in the first half, but they still allowed 16-points, while their offence was completely shut down.
Louisville Thunder - 28, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 29 - Thunder Stadium - August 17, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
7-0 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Casey Coleman
7-3 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
7-6 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
2nd Q
7-13 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Justin Dubuque
7-16 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
3rd Q
7-19 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
14-19 LOU - RTD RB Neil Bradley
21-19 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Lloyd Lane
4th Q
28-19 LOU - DTD FUM LB Le’Darius Wynn
28-26 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
28-29 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
After only 2 home games in their first 7 games, the Thunder returned home to hopefully pick up a win in their home stretch of 4 of 5 at home.
Their first test was against the red-hot Blacksmiths who entered the game on a 4-game win streak.
QB David Simmons would get the Thunder up early with a touchdown pass to WR Casey Coleman, but the Blacksmiths would go on to score the next 16 points to take a 7-16 lead into the break.
The boos from the crowd may have gotten to the Thunder who would bounce back in the 3rd quarter, scoring 2 touchdowns to get the lead 21-19.
Pittsburgh hoped to rebound in the final quarter, but DL Bjorn Sigmarsson would get the ball loose from RB Tresean Jones and LB Le’Darius Wynn would take it to the house to give them the 9-point lead.
Louisville looked poised to win their first game of the season, but QB Louis Vaughn had a different idea and led the Blacksmiths on a tear in the final 5 minutes to come back and win the game on a game-winning kick from K Al Highlander.
Injury Report
DL Chuck Charleston III BOS - Season
DB Michael Cornell III BOS - 2 Weeks
WR Jake Abbredezzi IND - 3 Weeks
DL Fred Webster IND - 6 Weeks
DB Neville Falkner IND - Day-to-Day
S Johnny Berger LOU - Season
TE Rex Williamson LOU - 1 Week
WR Evan Clanton MIN - Day-to-Day
DB Davey Woods MIN - Season
TE Oliver Chandler MTL - 2 Weeks
Players of the Week
Standings
WEST
Buffalo 8-0
Minnesota 7-1
Indiana 6-3
Pittsburgh 6-3
Toronto 3-6
London 2-6
Louisville 0-8
EAST
Ottawa 6-2
Halifax 5-3
Boston 5-4
Long Island 3-5
Providence 2-6
Montreal 1-7
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Minnesota -
3 - Ottawa -
4 - Pittsburgh -
5 - Indiana -
6 - Boston +1
7 - Halifax -1
8 - Long Island -
9 - London -
10 - Toronto -
11 - Providence -
12 - Louisville +1
13 - Montreal -1
Week 10 Games
TOR (3-6) @ LDN (2-6) - AUG 21 - 7 PM ET - Thursday Night Football
OTT (6-2) @ MTL (1-7) - AUG 22 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
BUF (8-0) @ LI (3-5) - AUG 23 - 3 PM ET
*BUF clinches playoff spot with Win or BOS Loss
PIT (6-3) @ MIN (7-1) - AUG 23 - 7:30 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
*MIN clinches playoff spot with Win + BOS Loss
HFX (5-3) @ PRO (2-6) - AUG 24 - 1 PM ET
BOS (5-4) @ LOU (0-8) - AUG 24 - 4 PM ET
BYE: IND (6-3)
1969 Trade Deadline
It was a quiet week leading up to the trade deadline, but in the final days, a flurry of trades went through as teams geared up for the final push for the postseason, or fall to the top of the draft order.
The first deal saw the Raiders let go of DL Dean Leanman for the second straight season. GM Wayne Tillman sent the DL to the Victors in exchange for a 4th Round Pick in 1970 and a LB prospect in Ben Morstand. Leanman had been traded to the Royals last season before returning to Long Island in the offseason, he now joins the Victors who aim to grab 2nd from the Serpents down the stretch.
The next trade was a much bigger deal, as an 8-piece trade occurred between the Mariners and the Thunder. Halifax was looking to add more depth to their team by grabbing RB Théodore Lemieux, WR Jack Duncan, and DB Davidson Moreno, in exchange for Halifax’s 1st Round Pick in 1970 and their 4th Round Pick in 1971, as well as RB Adam Zingaro, WR Lannor Doris, and DB Gord Honk. The addition of Lemieux and Duncan should make the biggest impact with WR Jav Kerrigan still on the IR and RB Rashed Smith coming off of another injury. As for the Thunder, it is clear they are hoping to get some draft capital heading into the offseason.
Next, the Serpents would grab a replacement for DB Davey Woods, who is out for the remainder of the season, making a deal with the London Tigers. The Serpents would get veteran DB Peter Lee in exchange for a 4th Round Pick in 1970.
The Tigers continued to make some moves and would send veteran OL Barry Florence over to the Victors in exchange for a pair of 5th Round Picks in the upcoming draft, more specifically, Montreal’s and Providence’s picks. As for the Victors, they get a solid O-lineman to help with the injury-riddled line.
Buffalo has been calling just about any team to find players to add to their strong group. It took a while but they eventually got their guy in bringing back DL Tournel Guay. Guay had previously been on the Blue Wings, up until last season when he had left for his hometown team in Montreal. After a year and a half, the Rouge were willing to move the 30-year-old, and they would get back Buffalo’s 1st Round pick and former Rouge DL Albert Kirk. Buffalo felt their biggest hole was on the D-line and now Guay should make their group just that much harder to play as they shoot for a perfect season.
As the deadline approached, the Blacksmiths would make a move to acquire some help on their O-line. They would bring back OL Benedict Benedicto, who played with Pittsburgh between 1965 and 1967 before he was traded to Louisville at the deadline in 1967. Louisville would get a 2nd Round Pick and OL Eustace Cloudwell in the exchange for Benedicto.
For the final trade of the week, the least-most exciting trade of the week occurred. The exciting part was that it was the first 3-team deal since the 1955 Draft. The less exciting part was it was primarily depth players in the trade, the most notable mover being DL Jordan-Eugene White, who is at best a good off the bench DL. The teams involved were the Independents, Steelheads, and Royals. Boston would get the aforementioned DL Jordan-Eugene White from Toronto and DB Anthony Poirier from Ottawa. The Steelheads would get LB Braiden Lafrenz from Ottawa, and DL Nolan Grassi and a 4th Round Pick from Boston. Finally, Ottawa would get DB Johnny Fairbanks and LB Eric Dionne from Toronto.
It was a quiet week leading up to the trade deadline, but in the final days, a flurry of trades went through as teams geared up for the final push for the postseason, or fall to the top of the draft order.
The first deal saw the Raiders let go of DL Dean Leanman for the second straight season. GM Wayne Tillman sent the DL to the Victors in exchange for a 4th Round Pick in 1970 and a LB prospect in Ben Morstand. Leanman had been traded to the Royals last season before returning to Long Island in the offseason, he now joins the Victors who aim to grab 2nd from the Serpents down the stretch.
The next trade was a much bigger deal, as an 8-piece trade occurred between the Mariners and the Thunder. Halifax was looking to add more depth to their team by grabbing RB Théodore Lemieux, WR Jack Duncan, and DB Davidson Moreno, in exchange for Halifax’s 1st Round Pick in 1970 and their 4th Round Pick in 1971, as well as RB Adam Zingaro, WR Lannor Doris, and DB Gord Honk. The addition of Lemieux and Duncan should make the biggest impact with WR Jav Kerrigan still on the IR and RB Rashed Smith coming off of another injury. As for the Thunder, it is clear they are hoping to get some draft capital heading into the offseason.
Next, the Serpents would grab a replacement for DB Davey Woods, who is out for the remainder of the season, making a deal with the London Tigers. The Serpents would get veteran DB Peter Lee in exchange for a 4th Round Pick in 1970.
The Tigers continued to make some moves and would send veteran OL Barry Florence over to the Victors in exchange for a pair of 5th Round Picks in the upcoming draft, more specifically, Montreal’s and Providence’s picks. As for the Victors, they get a solid O-lineman to help with the injury-riddled line.
Buffalo has been calling just about any team to find players to add to their strong group. It took a while but they eventually got their guy in bringing back DL Tournel Guay. Guay had previously been on the Blue Wings, up until last season when he had left for his hometown team in Montreal. After a year and a half, the Rouge were willing to move the 30-year-old, and they would get back Buffalo’s 1st Round pick and former Rouge DL Albert Kirk. Buffalo felt their biggest hole was on the D-line and now Guay should make their group just that much harder to play as they shoot for a perfect season.
As the deadline approached, the Blacksmiths would make a move to acquire some help on their O-line. They would bring back OL Benedict Benedicto, who played with Pittsburgh between 1965 and 1967 before he was traded to Louisville at the deadline in 1967. Louisville would get a 2nd Round Pick and OL Eustace Cloudwell in the exchange for Benedicto.
For the final trade of the week, the least-most exciting trade of the week occurred. The exciting part was that it was the first 3-team deal since the 1955 Draft. The less exciting part was it was primarily depth players in the trade, the most notable mover being DL Jordan-Eugene White, who is at best a good off the bench DL. The teams involved were the Independents, Steelheads, and Royals. Boston would get the aforementioned DL Jordan-Eugene White from Toronto and DB Anthony Poirier from Ottawa. The Steelheads would get LB Braiden Lafrenz from Ottawa, and DL Nolan Grassi and a 4th Round Pick from Boston. Finally, Ottawa would get DB Johnny Fairbanks and LB Eric Dionne from Toronto.
1969 Week 10
Roster Moves
BOS: DL Chuck Charleston III - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
BOS: DB Foley DeGraaf - Active Roster -> Reserve List
HFX: DB Lance Lee - Active Roster -> Reserve List
IND: DL Fred Webster - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
IND: OL Peter Manning - Active Roster -> Reserve List
LDN: DB Alex Pollard - Reserve List -> Active Roster
LDN: OL Albert Newport - Reserve List -> Active Roster
LI: DL Russell Lawrence - Reserve List -> Active Roster
LOU: S Johnny Berger - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
LOU: S Chad Lee - Free Agent -> Active Roster
MIN: DB Davey Woods - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
OTT: OL Wesley Lee - Waivers -> Reserve List
OTT: LB Aristofane Zuccaro - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
OTT: DL Zane Tannith - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
OTT: DL Wallace Cutt - Active Roster -> Reserve List
TOR: DB Joseph Ahmed - Reserve List -> Active Roster
London Tigers - 26, Toronto Steelheads - 16 - Western Fair Stadium - August 21, 1969 - 7 PM ET - TNF - Weather: Clear
1st Q
3-0 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
10-0 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Cole Fletcher
2nd Q
13-0 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
20-0 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Carter Henderson
3rd Q
20-3 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
20-6 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
23-6 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
4th Q
23-13 TOR - PTD QB Todd Baker -> WR Al Allmendinger
23-16 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
26-16 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
The Tigers welcomed their nearest neighbour for the final Thursday Night Football game of the season.
London controlled the game throughout the first half, jumping out to a 20-0 lead in the first half.
Toronto’s offence just looked miserable throughout the first half and could not get anything going.
In the second half, Toronto got rolling and would get some points on the board in the 3rd, before getting a touchdown in the 4th to cut the lead down to 7.
London’s offence stalled throughout the 2nd half but did manage to score a late field goal to hold on for the team’s 3rd win of the season.
Montreal Rouge - 24, Ottawa Royals - 17 - Mount Royal Stadium - August 22, 1969 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
7-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
2nd Q
7-10 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
14-10 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
3rd Q
14-17 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
4th Q
17-17 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
24-17 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR James Hess
After QB Mike Key was given the start last week, Montreal handed the reins back over to Gene Bishop who seemed to have a newfound confidence in the pocket.
The veteran QB led the offence to their best performance of the season getting out to a 14-10 lead over their rivals in the first half.
Ottawa was not looking as sharp as they had been, especially QB Drake Young who threw a pair of interceptions in the game.
Luckily, Young was good enough to get the Royals back out in front in the 3rd quarter.
Montreal would tie it up early in the 4th, before getting the last punch of the game with a WR James Hess touchdown, earning Montreal’s first win since Week 4.
Long Island Raiders - 12, Buffalo Blue Wings - 24 - Long Island Stadium - August 23, 1969 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
0-7 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
2nd Q
3-7 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
6-7 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
6-14 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
3rd Q
6-21 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> TE Paul Arturberry
9-21 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
4th Q
12-21 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
12-24 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
The Raiders broke out the anniversary jerseys against their former NYFL foes in the Blue Wings.
The game started in favour of the Blue Wings who had the first score in the opening quarter.
The Raiders bounced back with a pair of field goals, but a second touchdown would put Buffalo up by 8 heading into the break.
In the second half, Buffalo continued to build on their lead getting out to a 6-21 lead.
The Raiders began to pull back a little with a pair of field goals to cut the lead down to 9, but Buffalo would hold off the Raiders to remain perfect on the season.
*BUF clinches playoff spot
Minnesota Serpents - 27, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 31 - Midgard Stadium - August 23, 1969 - 7:30 PM ET - Weather: Clear - Game of the Week
1st Q
7-0 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
2nd Q
7-7 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
7-14 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Orlando Barrack
10-14 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
3rd Q
17-14 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Evan Clanton
17-21 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
4th Q
24-21 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
24-24 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
27-24 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
27-31 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Justin Dubuque
Easily the most important game of the week was the Saturday Night affair between Minnesota and Pittsburgh, as both teams entered the game on 5-game win streaks, and just 2 points separating them in the standings.
Minnesota got the only score of the opening quarter to get out to a 7-0 lead, but Pittsburgh would get the next two scores to get up 7-14.
Minnesota would get a field goal late in the half to cut the lead to 4, but then they would take the lead in the 3rd on a touchdown from WR Evan Clanton.
Pittsburgh did counter with their own touchdown to hold on to a 4-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Minnesota would retake the lead in the 4th on RB Hugo Hughes’ second score of the game.
Pittsburgh would tie the game before Minnesota answered back with a field goal of their own.
However, it would be Pittsburgh who got the final say in the game with Louis Vaughn throwing his 3rd touchdown of the game to clinch their 6th straight win.
Providence Gold Stars - 23, Halifax Mariners - 20 - New Providence Stadium - August 24, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
3-0 PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
10-0 PRO - RTD RB George Seahorse
2nd Q
10-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jack Duncan
3rd Q
17-7 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Troy York
20-7 PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
4th Q
20-10 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
20-17 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
20-20 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
23-20 PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
To kick off Sunday’s action the Gold Stars would welcome the Mariners who were looking to avoid dropping their 3rd game in their last 4 matchups.
Unfortunately for them, the Gold Stars would be the ones to get off to a strong start, jumping out to a 10-0 lead.
The Mariners were able to pull it back with a touchdown from trade deadline-addition WR Jack Duncan.
However, QB Lyle Painter was having a tough day throwing 3 interceptions in the game, which only helped the Gold Stars to get out to a 20-7 lead.
In the final quarter, Halifax pulled it together enough to bounce back and tie the game late.
However, Providence managed to get a field goal of their own to take a 3-point lead, and then DB Ike Vander Waal would end the game by grabbing Painter’s 3rd interception.
Louisville Thunder - 10, Boston Independents - 28 - Thunder Stadium - August 24, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
3-0 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
3-7 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
2nd Q
3-14 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
3-21 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
3rd Q
10-21 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Lloyd Lane
4th Q
10-28 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
The Thunder were still searching for their first win of the season when facing off with the Independents, who were looking for their 5th straight win.
Louisville would get the first score, but Boston’s offence would kick into high gear throughout the rest of the first half, scoring 3 touchdowns.
Louisville would bounce back to cut the lead to 11 in the 3rd quarter, but they had nothing else to give while Boston added to their lead in the 4th.
Boston would hold on for their 5th straight win, giving them their first 6-win season since 1965.
Injury Report
RB Théodore Lemieux HFX - Day-to-Day
DB Joe Robinson HFX - 1 Week
RB Dareion Fields LI - Day-to-Day
QB Martin Keller MIN - 1 Week
S Calvin Hobbes MIN - Day-to-Day
LB Kurt Warlock PRO - 2 Weeks
Players of the Week
OFF: QB Louis Vaughn PIT - 3 Passing Touchdowns, 345 Passing Yards
DEF: LB Victor Falkensteig PRO - 8 Tackles, 1 Interception
Standings
*W and E next to teams designates playoff seed if the season ended today showing the Playoff Picture
WEST
W1 - Buffalo 9-0 -x
W2 - Minnesota 7-2
W3 - Pittsburgh 7-3
E3 - Indiana 6-3
London 3-6
Toronto 3-7
Louisville 0-9
EAST
E1 - Ottawa 6-3
E2 - Boston 6-4
Halifax 5-4
Providence 3-6
Long Island 3-6
Montreal 2-7
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Pittsburgh +2
3 - Minnesota -1
4 - Ottawa -1
5 - Boston +1
6 - Indiana -1
7 - Halifax -
8 - London +1
9 - Long Island -1
10 - Providence +1
11 - Montreal +2
12 - Toronto -2
13 - Louisville -1
Week 11 Games
LI (3-6) @ LDN (3-6) - AUG 29 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
MIN (7-2) @ OTT (6-3) - AUG 30 - 3 PM ET
*MIN Clinches Playoff Spot with Win + HFX Loss or IND Loss
HFX (5-4) @ BUF (9-0) - AUG 30 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
*BUF Clinches West Division with Win + MIN Loss
PRO (3-6) @ MTL (2-7) - AUG 31 - 2 PM ET
PIT (7-3) @ TOR (3-7) - SEP 1 - 2 PM ET - Labour Day
*PIT Clinches Playoff Spot with Win + HFX Loss
LOU (0-9) @ IND (6-3) - SEP 1 - 6 PM ET - Labour Day
BYE: BOS (6-4)
Roster Moves
BOS: DL Chuck Charleston III - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
BOS: DB Foley DeGraaf - Active Roster -> Reserve List
HFX: DB Lance Lee - Active Roster -> Reserve List
IND: DL Fred Webster - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
IND: OL Peter Manning - Active Roster -> Reserve List
LDN: DB Alex Pollard - Reserve List -> Active Roster
LDN: OL Albert Newport - Reserve List -> Active Roster
LI: DL Russell Lawrence - Reserve List -> Active Roster
LOU: S Johnny Berger - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
LOU: S Chad Lee - Free Agent -> Active Roster
MIN: DB Davey Woods - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
OTT: OL Wesley Lee - Waivers -> Reserve List
OTT: LB Aristofane Zuccaro - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
OTT: DL Zane Tannith - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
OTT: DL Wallace Cutt - Active Roster -> Reserve List
TOR: DB Joseph Ahmed - Reserve List -> Active Roster
London Tigers - 26, Toronto Steelheads - 16 - Western Fair Stadium - August 21, 1969 - 7 PM ET - TNF - Weather: Clear
1st Q
3-0 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
10-0 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Cole Fletcher
2nd Q
13-0 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
20-0 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Carter Henderson
3rd Q
20-3 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
20-6 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
23-6 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
4th Q
23-13 TOR - PTD QB Todd Baker -> WR Al Allmendinger
23-16 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
26-16 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
The Tigers welcomed their nearest neighbour for the final Thursday Night Football game of the season.
London controlled the game throughout the first half, jumping out to a 20-0 lead in the first half.
Toronto’s offence just looked miserable throughout the first half and could not get anything going.
In the second half, Toronto got rolling and would get some points on the board in the 3rd, before getting a touchdown in the 4th to cut the lead down to 7.
London’s offence stalled throughout the 2nd half but did manage to score a late field goal to hold on for the team’s 3rd win of the season.
Montreal Rouge - 24, Ottawa Royals - 17 - Mount Royal Stadium - August 22, 1969 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
7-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
2nd Q
7-10 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
14-10 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
3rd Q
14-17 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
4th Q
17-17 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
24-17 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR James Hess
After QB Mike Key was given the start last week, Montreal handed the reins back over to Gene Bishop who seemed to have a newfound confidence in the pocket.
The veteran QB led the offence to their best performance of the season getting out to a 14-10 lead over their rivals in the first half.
Ottawa was not looking as sharp as they had been, especially QB Drake Young who threw a pair of interceptions in the game.
Luckily, Young was good enough to get the Royals back out in front in the 3rd quarter.
Montreal would tie it up early in the 4th, before getting the last punch of the game with a WR James Hess touchdown, earning Montreal’s first win since Week 4.
Long Island Raiders - 12, Buffalo Blue Wings - 24 - Long Island Stadium - August 23, 1969 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
0-7 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
2nd Q
3-7 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
6-7 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
6-14 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
3rd Q
6-21 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> TE Paul Arturberry
9-21 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
4th Q
12-21 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
12-24 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
The Raiders broke out the anniversary jerseys against their former NYFL foes in the Blue Wings.
The game started in favour of the Blue Wings who had the first score in the opening quarter.
The Raiders bounced back with a pair of field goals, but a second touchdown would put Buffalo up by 8 heading into the break.
In the second half, Buffalo continued to build on their lead getting out to a 6-21 lead.
The Raiders began to pull back a little with a pair of field goals to cut the lead down to 9, but Buffalo would hold off the Raiders to remain perfect on the season.
*BUF clinches playoff spot
Minnesota Serpents - 27, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 31 - Midgard Stadium - August 23, 1969 - 7:30 PM ET - Weather: Clear - Game of the Week
1st Q
7-0 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
2nd Q
7-7 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
7-14 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Orlando Barrack
10-14 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
3rd Q
17-14 MIN - PTD QB Leonidas Dumont -> WR Evan Clanton
17-21 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
4th Q
24-21 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
24-24 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
27-24 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
27-31 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Justin Dubuque
Easily the most important game of the week was the Saturday Night affair between Minnesota and Pittsburgh, as both teams entered the game on 5-game win streaks, and just 2 points separating them in the standings.
Minnesota got the only score of the opening quarter to get out to a 7-0 lead, but Pittsburgh would get the next two scores to get up 7-14.
Minnesota would get a field goal late in the half to cut the lead to 4, but then they would take the lead in the 3rd on a touchdown from WR Evan Clanton.
Pittsburgh did counter with their own touchdown to hold on to a 4-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Minnesota would retake the lead in the 4th on RB Hugo Hughes’ second score of the game.
Pittsburgh would tie the game before Minnesota answered back with a field goal of their own.
However, it would be Pittsburgh who got the final say in the game with Louis Vaughn throwing his 3rd touchdown of the game to clinch their 6th straight win.
Providence Gold Stars - 23, Halifax Mariners - 20 - New Providence Stadium - August 24, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
3-0 PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
10-0 PRO - RTD RB George Seahorse
2nd Q
10-7 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jack Duncan
3rd Q
17-7 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Troy York
20-7 PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
4th Q
20-10 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
20-17 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
20-20 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
23-20 PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
To kick off Sunday’s action the Gold Stars would welcome the Mariners who were looking to avoid dropping their 3rd game in their last 4 matchups.
Unfortunately for them, the Gold Stars would be the ones to get off to a strong start, jumping out to a 10-0 lead.
The Mariners were able to pull it back with a touchdown from trade deadline-addition WR Jack Duncan.
However, QB Lyle Painter was having a tough day throwing 3 interceptions in the game, which only helped the Gold Stars to get out to a 20-7 lead.
In the final quarter, Halifax pulled it together enough to bounce back and tie the game late.
However, Providence managed to get a field goal of their own to take a 3-point lead, and then DB Ike Vander Waal would end the game by grabbing Painter’s 3rd interception.
Louisville Thunder - 10, Boston Independents - 28 - Thunder Stadium - August 24, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
3-0 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
3-7 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
2nd Q
3-14 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
3-21 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
3rd Q
10-21 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Lloyd Lane
4th Q
10-28 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
The Thunder were still searching for their first win of the season when facing off with the Independents, who were looking for their 5th straight win.
Louisville would get the first score, but Boston’s offence would kick into high gear throughout the rest of the first half, scoring 3 touchdowns.
Louisville would bounce back to cut the lead to 11 in the 3rd quarter, but they had nothing else to give while Boston added to their lead in the 4th.
Boston would hold on for their 5th straight win, giving them their first 6-win season since 1965.
Injury Report
RB Théodore Lemieux HFX - Day-to-Day
DB Joe Robinson HFX - 1 Week
RB Dareion Fields LI - Day-to-Day
QB Martin Keller MIN - 1 Week
S Calvin Hobbes MIN - Day-to-Day
LB Kurt Warlock PRO - 2 Weeks
Players of the Week
Standings
*W and E next to teams designates playoff seed if the season ended today showing the Playoff Picture
WEST
W1 - Buffalo 9-0 -x
W2 - Minnesota 7-2
W3 - Pittsburgh 7-3
E3 - Indiana 6-3
London 3-6
Toronto 3-7
Louisville 0-9
EAST
E1 - Ottawa 6-3
E2 - Boston 6-4
Halifax 5-4
Providence 3-6
Long Island 3-6
Montreal 2-7
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Pittsburgh +2
3 - Minnesota -1
4 - Ottawa -1
5 - Boston +1
6 - Indiana -1
7 - Halifax -
8 - London +1
9 - Long Island -1
10 - Providence +1
11 - Montreal +2
12 - Toronto -2
13 - Louisville -1
Week 11 Games
LI (3-6) @ LDN (3-6) - AUG 29 - 7 PM ET - Friday Night Football
MIN (7-2) @ OTT (6-3) - AUG 30 - 3 PM ET
*MIN Clinches Playoff Spot with Win + HFX Loss or IND Loss
HFX (5-4) @ BUF (9-0) - AUG 30 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
*BUF Clinches West Division with Win + MIN Loss
PRO (3-6) @ MTL (2-7) - AUG 31 - 2 PM ET
PIT (7-3) @ TOR (3-7) - SEP 1 - 2 PM ET - Labour Day
*PIT Clinches Playoff Spot with Win + HFX Loss
LOU (0-9) @ IND (6-3) - SEP 1 - 6 PM ET - Labour Day
BYE: BOS (6-4)
1969 Week 11
Roster Moves
LI: DB Lauri Hayha - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
LI: DB Darby Keller - Active Roster -> Waivers
PRO: K Elvis Franklin - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
PRO: K Gilbert O’Neill - Active Roster -> Reserve List
London Tigers - 35, Long Island Raiders - 37 - Western Fair Stadium - August 29, 1969 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Carter Henderson
7-3 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
7-10 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
2nd Q
14-10 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Cole Fletcher
14-17 LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Larry Mossholder
17-17 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
3rd Q
18-17 LDN - Single K Nimrod Handsworth
25-17 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
25-23 LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Otto Washington
4th Q
25-30 LI - RTD RB Scott Norton
28-30 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
35-30 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Joshua Lafleur
35-37 LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Frank Drysdale
London would sell out their final home game of the season, mainly due to the potential that this could be QB Riley Kiernan’s final start with the Tigers likely to give their younger QBs a chance to fight for the future job.
The sellout crowd was treated to a thrilling battle between the old rivals of the Tigers and Raiders, with the Tigers starting the scoring on their opening drive.
The Raiders, with QB Ivan Sanchez under centre for the first time since Week 4, would counter well with 10 points to take the lead.
In the second quarter, the Tigers would once again find the endzone to retake the lead, but the Raiders once again answered back.
K Nimrod Handsworth would tie the game before the break and then get the lead on a monster punt early in the 2nd half.
London’s defence would step up and give the offence great field position to extend their lead to 8.
The Raiders bounce back with a touchdown, but they fell short on the 2-point try leaving them down by 2 heading into the final quarter.
The Raiders would eventually get the lead when backup RB Scott Norton broke through the Tigers’ defence and took the ball 48 yards to the house.
London answered back with a field goal but was running out of time.
Luckily, QB Riley Kiernan would lead them on a legendary drive to retake the lead and give the Tigers a 5-point lead with under a minute to go in the game.
However, it would be a heartbreaking finish as the Raiders, with limited time, would get a big break when 2nd-year WR Frank Drysdale, would make a catch down the field, before making S Randall Green look silly with a stellar juke and then getting the edge with his speed to get into the endzone to steal the win.
Ottawa Royals - 30, Minnesota Serpents - 9 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - August 30, 1969 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
2nd Q
0-3 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
7-3 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Colby Bancana
10-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3rd Q
13-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
13-6 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
20-6 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
4th Q
20-9 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
27-9 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
30-9 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
The Serpents and Royals had a crucial game on Saturday.
Both teams didn’t get any points in the first quarter, but in the second quarter, Minnesota got a field goal to get on the board.
Ottawa countered with 10-points to get back in front heading into the half.
In the second half, the Royals continued their steady pace, but Minnesota was less fortunate.
QB Leonidas Dumont would drop back for a pass and as he was winding up to throw, DL Bernhard Hartmann would hit his arm knocking the ball loose, and almost simultaneously DL Zane Tannith would rock Dumont from the other side.
Dumont would be down for a while before they finally got him off the field, and with QB Martin Keller dealing with an injury from practice, 3rd string QB, Matt Fletcher was left to take the reins.
Ottawa continued to control the game from there on out and Minnesota’s offence was shut down by the Royals as Ottawa wins their 7th game of the season and hands Minnesota’s 1st ever 2-game losing streak.
Buffalo Blue Wings - 20, Halifax Mariners - 26 - Milton Charles Stadium - August 30, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
3-3 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
10-3 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
2nd Q
10-10 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
3rd Q
10-13 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
17-13 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
17-20 HFX - RTD RB Rashed Smith
4th Q
20-20 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
20-23 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
20-26 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
Buffalo aimed to clinch the West Division with a win, but the Mariners had a different plan.
While Buffalo controlled the opening quarter, jumping out to a 10-3 lead, the Mariners were able to tie up the game in the second.
Halifax would get the lead early in the 3rd after a DB Aquilio Ruiz interception, leading to a field goal.
Buffalo countered with their second touchdown of the game, but the Mariners also got one before the end of the quarter.
The Mariners’ defence would come up clutch in the final quarter, holding the Blue Wings to only 3 points in the final quarter to end their perfect season.
Montreal Rouge - 36, Providence Gold Stars - 17 - Mount Royal Stadium - August 31, 1969 - 2 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Yahui Sun
10-0 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
17-0 MTL - RTD RB Carter Roy
2nd Q
17-3 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
24-3 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
3rd Q
27-3 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
27-10 PRO - RTD RB Ronnie Byers
30-10 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
4th Q
36-10 MTL - DTD INT S Garet deVale
36-17 PRO - RTD RB Ronnie Byers
Montreal has found some new life as they dominated the Gold Stars in the first half of their first meeting of the season.
QB Gene Bishop was sharp throwing for 176 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns.
In the second half, the Gold Stars would get a little going with RB Ronnie Byers breaking through for a touchdown in the 3rd, but Montreal continued to extend their lead heading into the 4th.
Eventually, Providence decided to give their rookie QB, Edwin Hunt, a chance to see some playing time to which he promptly threw a pick-6 to S Garet deVale.
He would recover to get the Gold Star back into the endzone, however, only throwing the ball 2 times, while RB Ronnie Byers carried it on the ground.
Toronto Steelheads - 23, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 14 - Anderson Stadium - September 1, 1969 - 2 PM ET - Labour Day - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
2nd Q
7-7 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> TE Bobby Clark
10-7 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
3rd Q
17-7 TOR - KRTD WR Sterling Underhill
20-7 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
4th Q
20-14 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
23-14 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
After 6-straight wins, the Blacksmiths appeared to run out of steam heading into Toronto.
The Steelheads would get out to a 7-0 lead early in the first half, while their high-level talent in the secondary showed up to shut down the Blacksmiths’ passing attack.
Pittsburgh still got into the endzone in the 2nd to keep the game close, but the Toronto Steelheads remained on top.
On the opening kick of the second half, WR Sterling Underhill would bring back the kickoff to extend their lead.
Pittsburgh wouldn’t get into the endzone until the 4th, while Toronto would maintain a 2-score lead until the end of the game to shockingly upset the Blacksmiths.
Indiana Victors - 20, Louisville Thunder - 13 - Victory Stadium - September 1, 1969 - 6 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
2nd Q
7-3 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
14-3 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
3rd Q
14-6 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
17-6 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4th Q
20-6 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
20-13 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Casey Coleman
Louisville continued their search for their ever-elusive first win of the season against the Victors who were coming off of the bye week.
The good news is Louisville was in the lead after the first quarter; the bad news, is Indiana answered back with a pair of touchdowns in the 2nd to take a 14-3 lead.
In the 3rd, both teams would get a field goal, but Indy continued to hold onto control into the 4th getting up to a 20-6 lead.
Louisville would get a late touchdown to try and mount a comeback, but a well-timed DB Neville Falkner interceptions would close out the game.
*LOU has locked in the highest draft pick possible for the 1970 draft.
Injury Report
IND: DL Brandon Hall - Day-to-Day
LDN: DB Nazario Piacenza - 9 Weeks (Season)
LI: OL Willy Hankins - Day-to-Day
LI: WR Larry Mossholder - 4 Weeks
LOU: OL Jerry Hankins - Day-to-Day
LOU: OL Kash Wilder - Day-to-Day
MIN: QB Leonidas Dumont - 8 Weeks (Season)
Players of the Week
OFF: QB Gene Bishop MTL - 2 Passing Touchdowns, 265 Passing Yards
DEF: DL Bernhard Hartmann OTT - 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Sack, 6 Tackles
Standings
WEST
W1 - Buffalo 9-1 -x
W2 - Minnesota 7-3
W3 - Indiana 7-3
E3 - Pittsburgh 7-4
Toronto 4-7
London 3-7
Louisville 0-10
EAST
E1 - Ottawa 7-3
E2 - Boston 6-4
Halifax 6-4
Long Island 4-6
Montreal 3-7
Providence 3-7
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Ottawa +2
3 - Pittsburgh -1
4 - Minnesota -1
5 - Indiana +1
6 - Halifax +1
7 - Boston -2
8 - Long Island +1
9 - London -1
10 - Montreal +1
11 - Toronto +1
12 - Providence -2
13 - Louisville -
Week 12 Games
OTT (7-3) @ HFX (6-4) - SEP 5 - 6 PM ET - Friday Night Football
*OTT clinches playoff spot with Win or PIT Loss
*OTT clinches East Division with Win + BOS Loss
*HFX clinches playoff spot with Win + PIT Loss
LDN (3-7) @ PIT (7-4) - SEP 6 - 12 PM ET
*PIT clinches playoff spot with Win
MIN (7-3) @ LOU (0-10) - SEP 6 - 3:30 PM ET
*MIN clinches playoff spot with Win
IND (7-3) @ BUF (9-1) - SEP 6 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
*IND clinches playoff spot with Win
*BUF clinches West Division with Win
MTL (3-7) @ PRO (3-7) - SEP 7 - 1 PM ET
BOS (6-4) @ LI (4-6) - SEP 7 - 4 PM ET
*BOS clinches playoff spot with Win + HFX Loss
*LI is still technically alive for a playoff spot, but they would need to win both games, and have the Mariners and Independents lose both of their games while finishing with a better point differential (which LI currently sits at -53, while BOS (+57) and HFX (+12) are both doing better).
LI: DB Lauri Hayha - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
LI: DB Darby Keller - Active Roster -> Waivers
PRO: K Elvis Franklin - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
PRO: K Gilbert O’Neill - Active Roster -> Reserve List
London Tigers - 35, Long Island Raiders - 37 - Western Fair Stadium - August 29, 1969 - 7 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Carter Henderson
7-3 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
7-10 LI - RTD RB Dareion Fields
2nd Q
14-10 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Cole Fletcher
14-17 LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Larry Mossholder
17-17 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
3rd Q
18-17 LDN - Single K Nimrod Handsworth
25-17 LDN - RTD RB Austin Andrews
25-23 LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Otto Washington
4th Q
25-30 LI - RTD RB Scott Norton
28-30 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
35-30 LDN - PTD QB Riley Kiernan -> WR Joshua Lafleur
35-37 LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Frank Drysdale
London would sell out their final home game of the season, mainly due to the potential that this could be QB Riley Kiernan’s final start with the Tigers likely to give their younger QBs a chance to fight for the future job.
The sellout crowd was treated to a thrilling battle between the old rivals of the Tigers and Raiders, with the Tigers starting the scoring on their opening drive.
The Raiders, with QB Ivan Sanchez under centre for the first time since Week 4, would counter well with 10 points to take the lead.
In the second quarter, the Tigers would once again find the endzone to retake the lead, but the Raiders once again answered back.
K Nimrod Handsworth would tie the game before the break and then get the lead on a monster punt early in the 2nd half.
London’s defence would step up and give the offence great field position to extend their lead to 8.
The Raiders bounce back with a touchdown, but they fell short on the 2-point try leaving them down by 2 heading into the final quarter.
The Raiders would eventually get the lead when backup RB Scott Norton broke through the Tigers’ defence and took the ball 48 yards to the house.
London answered back with a field goal but was running out of time.
Luckily, QB Riley Kiernan would lead them on a legendary drive to retake the lead and give the Tigers a 5-point lead with under a minute to go in the game.
However, it would be a heartbreaking finish as the Raiders, with limited time, would get a big break when 2nd-year WR Frank Drysdale, would make a catch down the field, before making S Randall Green look silly with a stellar juke and then getting the edge with his speed to get into the endzone to steal the win.
Ottawa Royals - 30, Minnesota Serpents - 9 - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - August 30, 1969 - 3 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
2nd Q
0-3 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
7-3 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Colby Bancana
10-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
3rd Q
13-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
13-6 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
20-6 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
4th Q
20-9 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
27-9 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
30-9 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
The Serpents and Royals had a crucial game on Saturday.
Both teams didn’t get any points in the first quarter, but in the second quarter, Minnesota got a field goal to get on the board.
Ottawa countered with 10-points to get back in front heading into the half.
In the second half, the Royals continued their steady pace, but Minnesota was less fortunate.
QB Leonidas Dumont would drop back for a pass and as he was winding up to throw, DL Bernhard Hartmann would hit his arm knocking the ball loose, and almost simultaneously DL Zane Tannith would rock Dumont from the other side.
Dumont would be down for a while before they finally got him off the field, and with QB Martin Keller dealing with an injury from practice, 3rd string QB, Matt Fletcher was left to take the reins.
Ottawa continued to control the game from there on out and Minnesota’s offence was shut down by the Royals as Ottawa wins their 7th game of the season and hands Minnesota’s 1st ever 2-game losing streak.
Buffalo Blue Wings - 20, Halifax Mariners - 26 - Milton Charles Stadium - August 30, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
3-3 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
10-3 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
2nd Q
10-10 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence
3rd Q
10-13 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
17-13 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
17-20 HFX - RTD RB Rashed Smith
4th Q
20-20 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
20-23 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
20-26 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
Buffalo aimed to clinch the West Division with a win, but the Mariners had a different plan.
While Buffalo controlled the opening quarter, jumping out to a 10-3 lead, the Mariners were able to tie up the game in the second.
Halifax would get the lead early in the 3rd after a DB Aquilio Ruiz interception, leading to a field goal.
Buffalo countered with their second touchdown of the game, but the Mariners also got one before the end of the quarter.
The Mariners’ defence would come up clutch in the final quarter, holding the Blue Wings to only 3 points in the final quarter to end their perfect season.
Montreal Rouge - 36, Providence Gold Stars - 17 - Mount Royal Stadium - August 31, 1969 - 2 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Yahui Sun
10-0 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
17-0 MTL - RTD RB Carter Roy
2nd Q
17-3 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
24-3 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
3rd Q
27-3 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
27-10 PRO - RTD RB Ronnie Byers
30-10 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
4th Q
36-10 MTL - DTD INT S Garet deVale
36-17 PRO - RTD RB Ronnie Byers
Montreal has found some new life as they dominated the Gold Stars in the first half of their first meeting of the season.
QB Gene Bishop was sharp throwing for 176 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns.
In the second half, the Gold Stars would get a little going with RB Ronnie Byers breaking through for a touchdown in the 3rd, but Montreal continued to extend their lead heading into the 4th.
Eventually, Providence decided to give their rookie QB, Edwin Hunt, a chance to see some playing time to which he promptly threw a pick-6 to S Garet deVale.
He would recover to get the Gold Star back into the endzone, however, only throwing the ball 2 times, while RB Ronnie Byers carried it on the ground.
Toronto Steelheads - 23, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 14 - Anderson Stadium - September 1, 1969 - 2 PM ET - Labour Day - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
2nd Q
7-7 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> TE Bobby Clark
10-7 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
3rd Q
17-7 TOR - KRTD WR Sterling Underhill
20-7 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
4th Q
20-14 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
23-14 TOR - FG K Vic Greatwood
After 6-straight wins, the Blacksmiths appeared to run out of steam heading into Toronto.
The Steelheads would get out to a 7-0 lead early in the first half, while their high-level talent in the secondary showed up to shut down the Blacksmiths’ passing attack.
Pittsburgh still got into the endzone in the 2nd to keep the game close, but the Toronto Steelheads remained on top.
On the opening kick of the second half, WR Sterling Underhill would bring back the kickoff to extend their lead.
Pittsburgh wouldn’t get into the endzone until the 4th, while Toronto would maintain a 2-score lead until the end of the game to shockingly upset the Blacksmiths.
Indiana Victors - 20, Louisville Thunder - 13 - Victory Stadium - September 1, 1969 - 6 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
2nd Q
7-3 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
14-3 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
3rd Q
14-6 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
17-6 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4th Q
20-6 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
20-13 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Casey Coleman
Louisville continued their search for their ever-elusive first win of the season against the Victors who were coming off of the bye week.
The good news is Louisville was in the lead after the first quarter; the bad news, is Indiana answered back with a pair of touchdowns in the 2nd to take a 14-3 lead.
In the 3rd, both teams would get a field goal, but Indy continued to hold onto control into the 4th getting up to a 20-6 lead.
Louisville would get a late touchdown to try and mount a comeback, but a well-timed DB Neville Falkner interceptions would close out the game.
*LOU has locked in the highest draft pick possible for the 1970 draft.
Injury Report
IND: DL Brandon Hall - Day-to-Day
LDN: DB Nazario Piacenza - 9 Weeks (Season)
LI: OL Willy Hankins - Day-to-Day
LI: WR Larry Mossholder - 4 Weeks
LOU: OL Jerry Hankins - Day-to-Day
LOU: OL Kash Wilder - Day-to-Day
MIN: QB Leonidas Dumont - 8 Weeks (Season)
Players of the Week
Standings
WEST
W1 - Buffalo 9-1 -x
W2 - Minnesota 7-3
W3 - Indiana 7-3
E3 - Pittsburgh 7-4
Toronto 4-7
London 3-7
Louisville 0-10
EAST
E1 - Ottawa 7-3
E2 - Boston 6-4
Halifax 6-4
Long Island 4-6
Montreal 3-7
Providence 3-7
Power Rankings
1 - Buffalo -
2 - Ottawa +2
3 - Pittsburgh -1
4 - Minnesota -1
5 - Indiana +1
6 - Halifax +1
7 - Boston -2
8 - Long Island +1
9 - London -1
10 - Montreal +1
11 - Toronto +1
12 - Providence -2
13 - Louisville -
Week 12 Games
OTT (7-3) @ HFX (6-4) - SEP 5 - 6 PM ET - Friday Night Football
*OTT clinches playoff spot with Win or PIT Loss
*OTT clinches East Division with Win + BOS Loss
*HFX clinches playoff spot with Win + PIT Loss
LDN (3-7) @ PIT (7-4) - SEP 6 - 12 PM ET
*PIT clinches playoff spot with Win
MIN (7-3) @ LOU (0-10) - SEP 6 - 3:30 PM ET
*MIN clinches playoff spot with Win
IND (7-3) @ BUF (9-1) - SEP 6 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
*IND clinches playoff spot with Win
*BUF clinches West Division with Win
MTL (3-7) @ PRO (3-7) - SEP 7 - 1 PM ET
BOS (6-4) @ LI (4-6) - SEP 7 - 4 PM ET
*BOS clinches playoff spot with Win + HFX Loss
*LI is still technically alive for a playoff spot, but they would need to win both games, and have the Mariners and Independents lose both of their games while finishing with a better point differential (which LI currently sits at -53, while BOS (+57) and HFX (+12) are both doing better).
1969 Week 12
Roster Moves
HFX: WR Jav Kerrigan - Reserve List -> Active Roster
HFX: WR Barnaby Underwood-Zimmerman - Active Roster -> Waivers
LDN: DB Nazario Piacenza - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
LDN: DB Tomik Vrana - Reserve List -> Active Roster
LI: DB Darby Keller - Waivers -> Reserve List
MIN: QB Leonidas Dumont - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
MIN: QB Louis LaPierre - Reserve List -> Active Roster
Halifax Mariners - 20, Ottawa Royals - 35 - Atlantic Stadium - September 5, 1969 - 6 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
0-10 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
3-10 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
2nd Q
3-17 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
6-17 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
12-17 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
12-18 OTT - Single K Ira Foster
3rd Q
12-25 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Cedric Peterson
12-28 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
18-28 HFX - RTD RB Rashed Smith
20-28 HFX - 2PT QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
4th Q
20-35 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
With the East as close as it is, this battle between the Mariners and Royals was very important for both teams.
The Royals were able to get out to an early lead in the first quarter with a touchdown from RB Corbyn Knight.
Early in the second, the Royals extended their lead, but finally the Mariners had some answers putting up 9 straight points, most notably a touchdown from WR Jav Kerrigan who was finally able to return to the lineup.
In the second half, the Royals began to take over the game with Drake Young connecting with WR Cedric Peterson, and then K Ira Foster adding a field goal to the lead.
Halifax bounced back with a touchdown and 2-point conversion to close out the 3rd, to cut the lead to just 8.
In the final frame, the Royals would control possession as RB Corbyn Knight continued to rack up the yards and would eventually get into the endzone to clinch the win for the Royals.
*OTT clinches playoff spot
Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 27, London Tigers - 11 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - September 6, 1969 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
10-0 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
2nd Q
17-0 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
17-7 LDN - PTD QB Magnus Torrensen -> WR Cole Fletcher
3rd Q
17-8 LDN - Single K Nimrod Handsworth
20-8 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
20-11 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
4th Q
27-11 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Orlando Barrack
Following the shocking loss to the Steelheads, the Blacksmiths returned home to go and grab a playoff spot against the Tigers.
In the opening quarter, Pittsburgh’s defence kept the Tigers quiet and would jump out to a 10-0 lead.
The Tigers were starting QB Magnus Torrensen in this game and he finally broke through with a touchdown in the 2nd quarter, but the team was falling behind with another Pittsburgh touchdown.
In the second half, the Blacksmiths continued to build on their lead, but London was starting to keep pace.
However, in the final quarter, the Blacksmiths would get a huge touchdown from WR Orlando Barrack that would seal the deal and clinch Pittsburgh their first playoff appearance.
*PIT clinches playoff spot
Louisville Thunder - 13, Minnesota Serpents - 21 - Thunder Stadium - September 6, 1969 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
3-7 MIN - PTD QB Martin Keller -> WR Evan Clanton
2nd Q
10-7 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Casey Coleman
3rd Q
10-14 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
10-21 MIN - PTD QB Martin Keller -> WR Sebastian Dassler
4th Q
13-21 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
QB Martin Keller got his long-awaited first start with the Serpents with QB Leonidas Dumont out of the lineup.
While Louisville got the first points, Keller would find the endzone to give the Serpents the lead after the first quarter.
However, Keller still struggled throughout the 2nd, while Louisville took the lead on a touchdown from WR Casey Coleman.
In the second half, the Serpents would pick up the pace and get into the endzone a pair of times to give themselves a 2-score lead.
Louisville was able to get a field goal, but Minnesota would hold on to clinch a playoff spot and set a new record for the most wins for a team in their first season in the NAAF.
*MIN clinches playoff spot
Buffalo Blue Wings - 28, Indiana Victors - 31 - Milton Charles Stadium - September 6, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
7-0 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
7-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Bennie Braverman
7-14 IND - DTD INT DB Neville Falkner
2nd Q
14-14 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
14-21 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
3rd Q
21-21 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
21-24 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4th Q
28-24 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
28-31 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
The Blue Wings hoped to bounce back from their first loss of the season welcoming their division rival Victors to town.
From the start, the game was going to be a shootout as Buffalo opened the game with a touchdown on their first drive, before Indiana answered right back with a TD of their own.
However, the tides turned when DB Neville Falkner showed up and took an interception back to the house to give Indiana the lead.
Buffalo was able to answer with a touchdown to tie it, but Indiana would get one more score to take a 7-point lead into the break.
In the second half, once again the Blue Wings would tie it early with a touchdown before Indiana retook the lead on a field goal.
In the 4th, Buffalo would grab their first lead since the opening quarter, scoring a touchdown midway through the quarter.
With the time winding down the Victors would manage to get into range and score a touchdown to regain the lead.
The defence would hold off the Blue Wings’ attack to win their 4th straight game and hand the Blue Wings their 2nd straight loss.
*IND clinches playoff spot
Providence Gold Stars - 10, Montreal Rouge - 24 - New Providence Stadium - September 7, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
7-7 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Owen Paisley
2nd Q
7-14 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
3rd Q
10-14 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
10-17 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
4th Q
10-24 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> RB Carter Roy
The only game without any playoff implications from the week 11 slate was between Montreal and Providence.
The Rouge, who have been hot as of late, would jump out to an early lead in the opening quarter.
However, Providence would bounce back with a touchdown a few drives later to keep the game tied after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Montreal would start to pull away with WR Taylor Karis scoring a second touchdown.
Montreal continued to control the game throughout the 2nd half and would add 10 points to clinch their 3rd straight win.
Long Island Raiders - 17, Boston Independents - 23 - Long Island Stadium - September 7, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Otto Washington
10-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
2nd Q
10-3 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
10-10 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
3rd Q
10-17 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
10-20 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
4th Q
17-20 LI - RTD RB Scott Norton
17-23 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
With Halifax’s loss on Friday Night, Boston had a chance to lock up the final playoff spot against the Raiders.
Unfortunately for Boston, the Raiders came out of the gate swinging and would take a 10-0 lead in the opening quarter.
Boston bounced back well in the 2nd, answering with 10-points of their own to tie the game heading into the break.
In the second half, momentum continued in favour of the Independents with QB Nathaniel Braddock leading the offence to 10 more points in the 3rd.
RB Scott Norton would end up seeing more snaps for the Raiders in this game, and he made the most of it by getting an important touchdown in the 4th quarter.
However, his efforts were not enough as Boston would hold on for the win, eliminating both Halifax and Long Island from postseason contention.
*BOS clinches playoff spot
*HFX becomes 5th team in NAAF history to miss the playoffs the year after winning the McCallister Cup joining MTL:1952, BUF:1953, LDN: 1964, BUF:1965
Injury Report
LI: TE Ryan Hatcher - 5 Weeks (Season)
LOU: LB Brian O’Flaherty - Day-to-Day
LOU: OL Gordie Hammarstein - Day-to-Day
MIN: S Calvin Hobbes - Day-to-Day
MTL: S Etienne LaMond - 5 Weeks (Season)
OTT: DL Lawrence Armstrong - 5 Weeks (Season)
Players of the Week
OFF: QB Drake Young OTT - 2 Passing Touchdowns, 303 Passing Yards
DEF: DB Neville Falkner IND - 1 Interception, 1 Defensive Touchdown, 7 Tackles
Standings
WEST
W1 - Buffalo 9-2 - X
W2 - Minnesota 8-3 - X
W3 - Indiana 8-3 - X
E3 - Pittsburgh 8-4 - X
Toronto 4-7
London 3-8
Louisville 0-11
EAST
E1 - Ottawa 8-3 - X
E2 - Boston 7-4 - X
Halifax 6-5
Long Island 4-7
Montreal 4-7
Providence 3-8
Running for Top Pick - Only Louisville and Halifax are locked into their spot (though technically only Louisville with the Mariners' pick belonging to them).
1 - Louisville - 0-11 - C
2 - Providence - 3-8
3 - London - 3-8
4 - Montreal 4-7
5 - Toronto 4-7
6 - Long Island 4-7
7 - Halifax 6-5 - C - Traded to LOU
Power Rankings
1 - Ottawa +1
2 - Indiana +3
3 - Buffalo -2
4 - Pittsburgh -1
5 - Minnesota -1
6 - Boston +1
7 - Halifax -1
8 - Montreal +2
9 - Long Island -1
10 - London -1
11 - Toronto -
12 - Providence -
13 - Louisville -
Week 13 Games
PRO (3-8) @ HFX (6-5) - SEP 13 - 12 PM ET
OTT (8-3) @ BOS (7-4) - SEP 13 - 3:30 PM ET
*Winner clinches the East Division
LI (4-7) @ MTL (4-7) - SEP 13 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
LDN (3-8) @ LOU (0-11) - SEP 14 - 12 PM ET
BUF (9-2) @ MIN (8-3) - SEP 14 - 3:30 PM ET
*Winner clinches the West Division
IND (8-3) @ TOR (4-7) - SEP 14 - 7 PM ET - Season Finale
BYE: PIT (8-4)
Overall Scenarios
If BUF wins
BUF clinches the West Division
Then if IND wins
IND becomes 2nd seed in the West
PIT becomes 3rd
And MIN crosses over
However, If IND loses
Then seeds will be determined via point differential since each team owns a tiebreaker over each other PIT > MIN > IND > PIT…
Currently PIT (+52), IND (+36), MIN (+20)
Alternatively, if MIN wins
MIN clinches the West Division
Then if IND Wins
IND becomes 2nd seed in the West
BUF becomes 3rd and
PIT crosses over
However, if IND loses
BUF becomes 2nd seed in the West
IND becomes 3rd and
PIT crosses over
Roster Moves
HFX: WR Jav Kerrigan - Reserve List -> Active Roster
HFX: WR Barnaby Underwood-Zimmerman - Active Roster -> Waivers
LDN: DB Nazario Piacenza - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
LDN: DB Tomik Vrana - Reserve List -> Active Roster
LI: DB Darby Keller - Waivers -> Reserve List
MIN: QB Leonidas Dumont - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
MIN: QB Louis LaPierre - Reserve List -> Active Roster
Halifax Mariners - 20, Ottawa Royals - 35 - Atlantic Stadium - September 5, 1969 - 6 PM ET - FNF - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-3 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
0-10 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
3-10 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
2nd Q
3-17 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
6-17 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
12-17 HFX - PTD QB Lyle Painter -> WR Jav Kerrigan
12-18 OTT - Single K Ira Foster
3rd Q
12-25 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Cedric Peterson
12-28 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
18-28 HFX - RTD RB Rashed Smith
20-28 HFX - 2PT QB Lyle Painter -> WR Shane Steadman
4th Q
20-35 OTT - RTD RB Corbyn Knight
With the East as close as it is, this battle between the Mariners and Royals was very important for both teams.
The Royals were able to get out to an early lead in the first quarter with a touchdown from RB Corbyn Knight.
Early in the second, the Royals extended their lead, but finally the Mariners had some answers putting up 9 straight points, most notably a touchdown from WR Jav Kerrigan who was finally able to return to the lineup.
In the second half, the Royals began to take over the game with Drake Young connecting with WR Cedric Peterson, and then K Ira Foster adding a field goal to the lead.
Halifax bounced back with a touchdown and 2-point conversion to close out the 3rd, to cut the lead to just 8.
In the final frame, the Royals would control possession as RB Corbyn Knight continued to rack up the yards and would eventually get into the endzone to clinch the win for the Royals.
*OTT clinches playoff spot
Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 27, London Tigers - 11 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - September 6, 1969 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
10-0 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
2nd Q
17-0 PIT - RTD RB Tresean Jones
17-7 LDN - PTD QB Magnus Torrensen -> WR Cole Fletcher
3rd Q
17-8 LDN - Single K Nimrod Handsworth
20-8 PIT - FG K Al Highlander
20-11 LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
4th Q
27-11 PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Orlando Barrack
Following the shocking loss to the Steelheads, the Blacksmiths returned home to go and grab a playoff spot against the Tigers.
In the opening quarter, Pittsburgh’s defence kept the Tigers quiet and would jump out to a 10-0 lead.
The Tigers were starting QB Magnus Torrensen in this game and he finally broke through with a touchdown in the 2nd quarter, but the team was falling behind with another Pittsburgh touchdown.
In the second half, the Blacksmiths continued to build on their lead, but London was starting to keep pace.
However, in the final quarter, the Blacksmiths would get a huge touchdown from WR Orlando Barrack that would seal the deal and clinch Pittsburgh their first playoff appearance.
*PIT clinches playoff spot
Louisville Thunder - 13, Minnesota Serpents - 21 - Thunder Stadium - September 6, 1969 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
3-7 MIN - PTD QB Martin Keller -> WR Evan Clanton
2nd Q
10-7 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Casey Coleman
3rd Q
10-14 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
10-21 MIN - PTD QB Martin Keller -> WR Sebastian Dassler
4th Q
13-21 LOU - FG K Frank Hughes
QB Martin Keller got his long-awaited first start with the Serpents with QB Leonidas Dumont out of the lineup.
While Louisville got the first points, Keller would find the endzone to give the Serpents the lead after the first quarter.
However, Keller still struggled throughout the 2nd, while Louisville took the lead on a touchdown from WR Casey Coleman.
In the second half, the Serpents would pick up the pace and get into the endzone a pair of times to give themselves a 2-score lead.
Louisville was able to get a field goal, but Minnesota would hold on to clinch a playoff spot and set a new record for the most wins for a team in their first season in the NAAF.
*MIN clinches playoff spot
Buffalo Blue Wings - 28, Indiana Victors - 31 - Milton Charles Stadium - September 6, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Cloudy - Game of the Week
1st Q
7-0 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
7-7 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Bennie Braverman
7-14 IND - DTD INT DB Neville Falkner
2nd Q
14-14 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
14-21 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Ed Edwards
3rd Q
21-21 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Jimmy Jack
21-24 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4th Q
28-24 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
28-31 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
The Blue Wings hoped to bounce back from their first loss of the season welcoming their division rival Victors to town.
From the start, the game was going to be a shootout as Buffalo opened the game with a touchdown on their first drive, before Indiana answered right back with a TD of their own.
However, the tides turned when DB Neville Falkner showed up and took an interception back to the house to give Indiana the lead.
Buffalo was able to answer with a touchdown to tie it, but Indiana would get one more score to take a 7-point lead into the break.
In the second half, once again the Blue Wings would tie it early with a touchdown before Indiana retook the lead on a field goal.
In the 4th, Buffalo would grab their first lead since the opening quarter, scoring a touchdown midway through the quarter.
With the time winding down the Victors would manage to get into range and score a touchdown to regain the lead.
The defence would hold off the Blue Wings’ attack to win their 4th straight game and hand the Blue Wings their 2nd straight loss.
*IND clinches playoff spot
Providence Gold Stars - 10, Montreal Rouge - 24 - New Providence Stadium - September 7, 1969 - 1 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
0-7 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
7-7 PRO - PTD QB Ulysses Lawyer -> WR Owen Paisley
2nd Q
7-14 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
3rd Q
10-14 PRO - FG K Elvis Franklin
10-17 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
4th Q
10-24 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> RB Carter Roy
The only game without any playoff implications from the week 11 slate was between Montreal and Providence.
The Rouge, who have been hot as of late, would jump out to an early lead in the opening quarter.
However, Providence would bounce back with a touchdown a few drives later to keep the game tied after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Montreal would start to pull away with WR Taylor Karis scoring a second touchdown.
Montreal continued to control the game throughout the 2nd half and would add 10 points to clinch their 3rd straight win.
Long Island Raiders - 17, Boston Independents - 23 - Long Island Stadium - September 7, 1969 - 4 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Otto Washington
10-0 LI - FG K Henderson Schumacher
2nd Q
10-3 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
10-10 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
3rd Q
10-17 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
10-20 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
4th Q
17-20 LI - RTD RB Scott Norton
17-23 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
With Halifax’s loss on Friday Night, Boston had a chance to lock up the final playoff spot against the Raiders.
Unfortunately for Boston, the Raiders came out of the gate swinging and would take a 10-0 lead in the opening quarter.
Boston bounced back well in the 2nd, answering with 10-points of their own to tie the game heading into the break.
In the second half, momentum continued in favour of the Independents with QB Nathaniel Braddock leading the offence to 10 more points in the 3rd.
RB Scott Norton would end up seeing more snaps for the Raiders in this game, and he made the most of it by getting an important touchdown in the 4th quarter.
However, his efforts were not enough as Boston would hold on for the win, eliminating both Halifax and Long Island from postseason contention.
*BOS clinches playoff spot
*HFX becomes 5th team in NAAF history to miss the playoffs the year after winning the McCallister Cup joining MTL:1952, BUF:1953, LDN: 1964, BUF:1965
Injury Report
LI: TE Ryan Hatcher - 5 Weeks (Season)
LOU: LB Brian O’Flaherty - Day-to-Day
LOU: OL Gordie Hammarstein - Day-to-Day
MIN: S Calvin Hobbes - Day-to-Day
MTL: S Etienne LaMond - 5 Weeks (Season)
OTT: DL Lawrence Armstrong - 5 Weeks (Season)
Players of the Week
Standings
WEST
W1 - Buffalo 9-2 - X
W2 - Minnesota 8-3 - X
W3 - Indiana 8-3 - X
E3 - Pittsburgh 8-4 - X
Toronto 4-7
London 3-8
Louisville 0-11
EAST
E1 - Ottawa 8-3 - X
E2 - Boston 7-4 - X
Halifax 6-5
Long Island 4-7
Montreal 4-7
Providence 3-8
Running for Top Pick - Only Louisville and Halifax are locked into their spot (though technically only Louisville with the Mariners' pick belonging to them).
1 - Louisville - 0-11 - C
2 - Providence - 3-8
3 - London - 3-8
4 - Montreal 4-7
5 - Toronto 4-7
6 - Long Island 4-7
7 - Halifax 6-5 - C - Traded to LOU
Power Rankings
1 - Ottawa +1
2 - Indiana +3
3 - Buffalo -2
4 - Pittsburgh -1
5 - Minnesota -1
6 - Boston +1
7 - Halifax -1
8 - Montreal +2
9 - Long Island -1
10 - London -1
11 - Toronto -
12 - Providence -
13 - Louisville -
Week 13 Games
PRO (3-8) @ HFX (6-5) - SEP 13 - 12 PM ET
OTT (8-3) @ BOS (7-4) - SEP 13 - 3:30 PM ET
*Winner clinches the East Division
LI (4-7) @ MTL (4-7) - SEP 13 - 7 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
LDN (3-8) @ LOU (0-11) - SEP 14 - 12 PM ET
BUF (9-2) @ MIN (8-3) - SEP 14 - 3:30 PM ET
*Winner clinches the West Division
IND (8-3) @ TOR (4-7) - SEP 14 - 7 PM ET - Season Finale
BYE: PIT (8-4)
Overall Scenarios
If BUF wins
BUF clinches the West Division
Then if IND wins
IND becomes 2nd seed in the West
PIT becomes 3rd
And MIN crosses over
However, If IND loses
Then seeds will be determined via point differential since each team owns a tiebreaker over each other PIT > MIN > IND > PIT…
Currently PIT (+52), IND (+36), MIN (+20)
Alternatively, if MIN wins
MIN clinches the West Division
Then if IND Wins
IND becomes 2nd seed in the West
BUF becomes 3rd and
PIT crosses over
However, if IND loses
BUF becomes 2nd seed in the West
IND becomes 3rd and
PIT crosses over
1969 Week 13
Roster Moves
BOS: DB Ty Boone - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
BOS: DB Anthony Poirier - Active Roster -> Waivers
BOS: OL Reynold Gilbertson - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
BOS: OL Fisher Blackmon - Active Roster -> Waivers
HFX: WR Barnaby Underwood-Zimmerman - Waivers -> Reserve List
IND: OL Taylor Alexander - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
IND: OL Bret Atkins - Active Roster -> Waivers
OTT: DL Lawrence Armstrong - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
OTT: DL Wallace Cutt - Reserve List -> Active Roster
Halifax Mariners - 40, Providence Gold Stars - 14 - Atlantic Stadium - September 13, 1969 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
3-0 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
10-0 HFX - PTD QB Michael Miranda -> RB Théodore Lemieux
17-0 HFX - DTD INT DB Aquilio Ruiz
2nd Q
24-0 HFX - RTD RB Théodore Lemieux
3rd Q
27-0 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
27-7 PRO - RTD RB Ronnie Byers
30-7 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
4th Q
30-14 PRO - RTD RB Ronnie Byers
37-14 HFX - KRTD WR Jav Kerrigan
40-14 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
The Mariners decided to take their frustration out on the Gold Stars for missing out on the postseason this year.
QB Michael Miranda made his first career start with the Mariners and would get the team out to a 10-point lead early.
Soon enough, the Mariners would get another touchdown when DB Aquilio Ruiz would bring back an interception off of the hands of QB Edwin Hunt.
Hunt was also making his first career start and did not fare well in his first action, throwing a total of 3 interceptions and losing 1 fumble.
Miranda only had one pick in his debut as he would continue to keep the Mariners way out in front.
Providence would get a pair of scores from RB Ronnie Byers, but following his second TD, WR Jav Kerrigan would return the kickoff to the house, just to add insult to injury.
Boston Independents - 32, Ottawa Royals - 17 - Richardson Stadium - September 13, 1969 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
7-7 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
2nd Q
7-10 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
10-10 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
3rd Q
17-10 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
4th Q
24-10 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Felix Fontaine
24-17 OTT - PTD QB Tyrion Gainsborough -> WR Marshall Leonard
27-17 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
There were many critics that questioned Boston’s win streak, as they had only beaten 1 team that was above .500 (HFX) and no teams currently in the playoffs.
They looked to prove something against the Royals as they quickly got up 7-0.
QB Drake Young answered back with a touchdown of his own to keep Ottawa in the fight, before taking the lead early in the 2nd.
Boston tied it up before the half, and would eventually regain the lead in the 3rd.
Ottawa ended up not scoring at all, as their game plan was thrown for a loop when QB Drake Young would take a rough hit and had to leave the game.
QB Tyrion Gainsborough would enter the game and did fine, but the team was falling further behind.
Gainsborough turned it up late in the 4th with a touchdown throw to WR Marshall Leonard, which would give them a shot at coming back.
Boston knowing they needed to beat the Royals by more than 14 points, would not let up on offence as Braddock led another touchdown drive late.
Then they would go for 2 in order to pull off the division win, and RB Reggie Whitehead would get into the endzone to make it happen to seal their first division title since 1963.
*BOS clinches East Division
Montreal Rouge - 23, Long Island Raiders - 8 - Mount Royal Stadium - September 13, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
6-0 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
2nd Q
13-0 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Yahui Sun
3rd Q
16-0 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
16-6 LI - RTD RB Scott Norton
16-8 LI - 2PT RB Scott Norton
4th Q
23-7 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
The final Saturday Night game would not appear to be a close game on paper, but both teams showed some capabilities to win the game.
In the end, the game came down to the Raiders making mistakes and Montreal taking advantage of their opportunities.
QB Gene Bishop continued his strong finish to the season, leading Montreal to their 4th straight win, throwing a pair of touchdowns.
The Raiders continued to roll with QB Ivan Sanchez, who struggled overall but was still able to move the ball relatively well throughout the contest.
RB Scott Norton continued to see the field more and would get the lone score for the Raiders.
Louisville Thunder - 21, London Tigers - 28 - Thunder Stadium - September 14, 1969 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Lloyd Lane
14-0 LOU - RTD RB Neil Bradley
2nd Q
14-7 LDN - RTD RB Jeremy Royal
3rd Q
14-14 LDN - PTD QB Emmitt Jackson -> WR Cole Fletcher
4th Q
21-14 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Casey Coleman
21-21 LDN - RTD RB Jeremy Royal
21-28 LDN - PTD QB Emmitt Jackson -> WR Cole Fletcher
The Thunder hoped that they could get a win in their final game of the season.
They would start well, jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the opening quarter, while their defence kept London quiet.
The Tigers were starting some younger players in this final game with QB Emmitt Jackson getting his first career start and rookie RB Jeremy Royal also seeing the most snaps out of the backfield.
Royal would score a touchdown in the 2nd to cut the lead in half before Emmitt Jackson would throw his first career touchdown to WR Cole Fletcher.
After blowing the lead, the Thunder were able to bounce back with a touchdown to start the 4th, but Jeremy Royal would get a 2nd TD for the Tigers to tie it again.
In the end, Emmitt Jackson would have the final say in the game and would get the win following his second passing TD.
Minnesota Serpents - 30, Buffalo Blue Wings - 33 - Midgard Stadium - September 14, 1969 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Clear - Game of the Week
1st Q
7-0 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
7-3 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
2nd Q
7-10 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
14-10 MIN - PTD QB Martin Keller -> WR Sebastian Dassler
14-13 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
14-16 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
3rd Q
17-16 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
17-23 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
20-23 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
4th Q
27-23 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
27-30 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
30-30 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
30-33 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
Minnesota and Buffalo faced off for the first time ever in a battle to decide the West Division.
Minnesota was able to get the lead in the opening quarter, getting a touchdown from Hugo Hughes.
Eventually, Buffalo would get the lead in the 2nd when QB Charles Lemieux found WR Tracy Driscoll.
Minnesota had an answer as WR Sebastian Dassler would get a big score against his former team.
Buffalo would close out the half with a pair of field goals following a fumble from DL William Sanderson.
Minnesota retook the lead early in the second half, but Buffalo would come out of the quarter with a 3-point lead after a RB Jimmy Golden touchdown.
To start the 4th, RB Hugo Hughes would score his second TD of the game in order to become the league leader in rushing touchdowns this season.
Despite the score from Minnesota, Buffalo had an answer with a WR Julius Drake touchdown, however, on the kickoff, K Ryan Perch would appear to hurt himself after having to help make the tackle against RB Tyler Kuhn on the return.
Minnesota would tie the game, leaving very little time for Buffalo, but QB Charles Lemieux would get them into field goal range.
K Ryan Perch still made it onto the field and despite having a slight limp would nail the game-winning kick to give Buffalo their 4th West Division title in 6 years.
*BUF clinches West Division
Toronto Steelheads - 14, Indiana Victors - 24 - Anderson Stadium - September 14, 1969 - 7 PM ET - Season Finale - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
7-7 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
2nd Q
7-14 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Jake Abbredezzi
7-21 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
3rd Q
7-24 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4th Q
14-24 TOR - RTD RB Rodney Clark
In the final game of the season, the Steelheads looked to play spoiler against the Victors, scoring an early touchdown with RB Max Tracy.
However, reality kicked in shortly after as Indiana’s offence kicked into high gear to put up 21 straight points.
It was cruise control the rest of the way for both teams as Indy would eventually start sitting some of their starters, leading to QB Lee Rogers and QB Xerxes Wynn getting some snaps in the final quarter.
Toronto also saw some backups get in, which would lead to a late touchdown for veteran RB Rodney Clark.
In the end, Indy cruised to a win to clinch 2nd in the West and will host the Blacksmiths next weekend.
Injury Report
BUF: DB Santino Arriola - 3 Weeks (Season)
BUF: K Ryan Perch - Day-to-Day
LI: OL Donald Sky - 5 Weeks (Season)
LI: DB Rutherford Winters - 1 Week (Season)
LI: DL Jim Kennedy - 2 Weeks (Season)
MIN: DL Albert Sullivan - 1 Week
MTL: LB Willie Stetson - 3 Weeks (Season)
OTT: QB Drake Young - Day-to-Day
PRO: OL Alonzo Tofflers - 9 Weeks (Season)
TOR: OL Andrew Parsley - 2 Weeks (Season)
Players of the Week
OFF: QB Charles Lemieux BUF - 2 Passing Touchdowns, 346 Passing Yards
DEF: LB Byron Turner BOS - 1 Interception, 10 Tackles
Standings
WEST
W1 - Buffalo 10-2 -Y
W2 - Indiana 9-3 -X
W3 - Pittsburgh 8-4 -X
E3 - Minnesota 8-4 -XC
London 4-8
Toronto 4-8
Louisville 0-12
EAST
E1 - Boston 8-4 -Y
E2 - Ottawa 8-4 -X
Halifax 7-5
Montreal 5-7
Long Island 4-8
Providence 3-9
Draft Order so far
1 - Louisville
2 - Providence
3 - Toronto
4 - London
5 - Long Island
6 - Montreal
7 - Halifax -> Louisville (1st)
Power Rankings
1 - Indiana +1
2 - Buffalo +1
3 - Ottawa -2
4 - Boston +2
5 - Pittsburgh -1
6 - Minnesota -1
7 - Montreal +1
8 - Halifax -1
9 - Long Island -
10 - London -
11 - Toronto -
12 - Providence -
13 - Louisville -
Playoff Preview
East Division Semi-Final - Ottawa Royals VS. Minnesota Serpents
Head-to-Head: W11 - OTT 30-9 MIN
All-Time Playoff Head-to-Head: 0-0
Both the Royals and Serpents have both been a bit rocky down the stretch with Ottawa falling out of 1st in the East and Minnesota managing life without QB Leonidas Dumont. Both teams will be hoping to turn it around now that the playoffs have arrived, but Serpents QB Martin Keller will have a little more motivation to win against the team that had drafted him in the 1st round before replacing him just the next season by drafting QB Drake Young. Keller will be wanting to prove himself against his former squad. Overall, both teams are going to be competitive and both teams are going to have a decent amount of experience. I expect a close game, but the home field will be the difference for the Royals.
My Pick: Royals
West Division Semi-Final - Indiana Victors VS. Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
Head-to-Head: W4 - PIT 21-28 IND
All-Time Playoff Head-to-Head: 0-0
Expect there to be a lot of Pittsburgh fans making the trip down to Indianapolis, as a Pittsburgh football team has made the postseason for the first time in almost 2 decades. Indiana will be hoping the Neville Falkner-led defence will be up to the challenge of shutting down one of the league’s most explosive offences. I do think this game will come down to experience, and the Victors have the advantage after making the trip to the McCallister Cup last season, while Pittsburgh is a roster full of players who have never seen the playoffs at all.
My Pick: Victors
Roster Moves
BOS: DB Ty Boone - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
BOS: DB Anthony Poirier - Active Roster -> Waivers
BOS: OL Reynold Gilbertson - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
BOS: OL Fisher Blackmon - Active Roster -> Waivers
HFX: WR Barnaby Underwood-Zimmerman - Waivers -> Reserve List
IND: OL Taylor Alexander - Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
IND: OL Bret Atkins - Active Roster -> Waivers
OTT: DL Lawrence Armstrong - Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
OTT: DL Wallace Cutt - Reserve List -> Active Roster
Halifax Mariners - 40, Providence Gold Stars - 14 - Atlantic Stadium - September 13, 1969 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Clear
1st Q
3-0 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
10-0 HFX - PTD QB Michael Miranda -> RB Théodore Lemieux
17-0 HFX - DTD INT DB Aquilio Ruiz
2nd Q
24-0 HFX - RTD RB Théodore Lemieux
3rd Q
27-0 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
27-7 PRO - RTD RB Ronnie Byers
30-7 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
4th Q
30-14 PRO - RTD RB Ronnie Byers
37-14 HFX - KRTD WR Jav Kerrigan
40-14 HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
The Mariners decided to take their frustration out on the Gold Stars for missing out on the postseason this year.
QB Michael Miranda made his first career start with the Mariners and would get the team out to a 10-point lead early.
Soon enough, the Mariners would get another touchdown when DB Aquilio Ruiz would bring back an interception off of the hands of QB Edwin Hunt.
Hunt was also making his first career start and did not fare well in his first action, throwing a total of 3 interceptions and losing 1 fumble.
Miranda only had one pick in his debut as he would continue to keep the Mariners way out in front.
Providence would get a pair of scores from RB Ronnie Byers, but following his second TD, WR Jav Kerrigan would return the kickoff to the house, just to add insult to injury.
Boston Independents - 32, Ottawa Royals - 17 - Richardson Stadium - September 13, 1969 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Zachariah Pembroke
7-7 OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Marshall Leonard
2nd Q
7-10 OTT - FG K Ira Foster
10-10 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
3rd Q
17-10 BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
4th Q
24-10 BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Felix Fontaine
24-17 OTT - PTD QB Tyrion Gainsborough -> WR Marshall Leonard
27-17 BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
There were many critics that questioned Boston’s win streak, as they had only beaten 1 team that was above .500 (HFX) and no teams currently in the playoffs.
They looked to prove something against the Royals as they quickly got up 7-0.
QB Drake Young answered back with a touchdown of his own to keep Ottawa in the fight, before taking the lead early in the 2nd.
Boston tied it up before the half, and would eventually regain the lead in the 3rd.
Ottawa ended up not scoring at all, as their game plan was thrown for a loop when QB Drake Young would take a rough hit and had to leave the game.
QB Tyrion Gainsborough would enter the game and did fine, but the team was falling further behind.
Gainsborough turned it up late in the 4th with a touchdown throw to WR Marshall Leonard, which would give them a shot at coming back.
Boston knowing they needed to beat the Royals by more than 14 points, would not let up on offence as Braddock led another touchdown drive late.
Then they would go for 2 in order to pull off the division win, and RB Reggie Whitehead would get into the endzone to make it happen to seal their first division title since 1963.
*BOS clinches East Division
Montreal Rouge - 23, Long Island Raiders - 8 - Mount Royal Stadium - September 13, 1969 - 7 PM ET - SNF - Weather: Partly Cloudy
1st Q
3-0 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
6-0 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
2nd Q
13-0 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Yahui Sun
3rd Q
16-0 MTL - FG K Arthur Kettinger
16-6 LI - RTD RB Scott Norton
16-8 LI - 2PT RB Scott Norton
4th Q
23-7 MTL - PTD QB Gene Bishop -> WR Taylor Karis
The final Saturday Night game would not appear to be a close game on paper, but both teams showed some capabilities to win the game.
In the end, the game came down to the Raiders making mistakes and Montreal taking advantage of their opportunities.
QB Gene Bishop continued his strong finish to the season, leading Montreal to their 4th straight win, throwing a pair of touchdowns.
The Raiders continued to roll with QB Ivan Sanchez, who struggled overall but was still able to move the ball relatively well throughout the contest.
RB Scott Norton continued to see the field more and would get the lone score for the Raiders.
Louisville Thunder - 21, London Tigers - 28 - Thunder Stadium - September 14, 1969 - 12 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Lloyd Lane
14-0 LOU - RTD RB Neil Bradley
2nd Q
14-7 LDN - RTD RB Jeremy Royal
3rd Q
14-14 LDN - PTD QB Emmitt Jackson -> WR Cole Fletcher
4th Q
21-14 LOU - PTD QB David Simmons -> WR Casey Coleman
21-21 LDN - RTD RB Jeremy Royal
21-28 LDN - PTD QB Emmitt Jackson -> WR Cole Fletcher
The Thunder hoped that they could get a win in their final game of the season.
They would start well, jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the opening quarter, while their defence kept London quiet.
The Tigers were starting some younger players in this final game with QB Emmitt Jackson getting his first career start and rookie RB Jeremy Royal also seeing the most snaps out of the backfield.
Royal would score a touchdown in the 2nd to cut the lead in half before Emmitt Jackson would throw his first career touchdown to WR Cole Fletcher.
After blowing the lead, the Thunder were able to bounce back with a touchdown to start the 4th, but Jeremy Royal would get a 2nd TD for the Tigers to tie it again.
In the end, Emmitt Jackson would have the final say in the game and would get the win following his second passing TD.
Minnesota Serpents - 30, Buffalo Blue Wings - 33 - Midgard Stadium - September 14, 1969 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: Clear - Game of the Week
1st Q
7-0 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
7-3 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
2nd Q
7-10 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
14-10 MIN - PTD QB Martin Keller -> WR Sebastian Dassler
14-13 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
14-16 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
3rd Q
17-16 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
17-23 BUF - RTD RB Jimmy Golden
20-23 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
4th Q
27-23 MIN - RTD RB Hugo Hughes
27-30 BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Julius Drake
30-30 MIN - FG K Ray Bough
30-33 BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
Minnesota and Buffalo faced off for the first time ever in a battle to decide the West Division.
Minnesota was able to get the lead in the opening quarter, getting a touchdown from Hugo Hughes.
Eventually, Buffalo would get the lead in the 2nd when QB Charles Lemieux found WR Tracy Driscoll.
Minnesota had an answer as WR Sebastian Dassler would get a big score against his former team.
Buffalo would close out the half with a pair of field goals following a fumble from DL William Sanderson.
Minnesota retook the lead early in the second half, but Buffalo would come out of the quarter with a 3-point lead after a RB Jimmy Golden touchdown.
To start the 4th, RB Hugo Hughes would score his second TD of the game in order to become the league leader in rushing touchdowns this season.
Despite the score from Minnesota, Buffalo had an answer with a WR Julius Drake touchdown, however, on the kickoff, K Ryan Perch would appear to hurt himself after having to help make the tackle against RB Tyler Kuhn on the return.
Minnesota would tie the game, leaving very little time for Buffalo, but QB Charles Lemieux would get them into field goal range.
K Ryan Perch still made it onto the field and despite having a slight limp would nail the game-winning kick to give Buffalo their 4th West Division title in 6 years.
*BUF clinches West Division
Toronto Steelheads - 14, Indiana Victors - 24 - Anderson Stadium - September 14, 1969 - 7 PM ET - Season Finale - Weather: Cloudy
1st Q
7-0 TOR - RTD RB Max Tracy
7-7 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
2nd Q
7-14 IND - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Jake Abbredezzi
7-21 IND - RTD RB Raymond Green
3rd Q
7-24 IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
4th Q
14-24 TOR - RTD RB Rodney Clark
In the final game of the season, the Steelheads looked to play spoiler against the Victors, scoring an early touchdown with RB Max Tracy.
However, reality kicked in shortly after as Indiana’s offence kicked into high gear to put up 21 straight points.
It was cruise control the rest of the way for both teams as Indy would eventually start sitting some of their starters, leading to QB Lee Rogers and QB Xerxes Wynn getting some snaps in the final quarter.
Toronto also saw some backups get in, which would lead to a late touchdown for veteran RB Rodney Clark.
In the end, Indy cruised to a win to clinch 2nd in the West and will host the Blacksmiths next weekend.
Injury Report
BUF: DB Santino Arriola - 3 Weeks (Season)
BUF: K Ryan Perch - Day-to-Day
LI: OL Donald Sky - 5 Weeks (Season)
LI: DB Rutherford Winters - 1 Week (Season)
LI: DL Jim Kennedy - 2 Weeks (Season)
MIN: DL Albert Sullivan - 1 Week
MTL: LB Willie Stetson - 3 Weeks (Season)
OTT: QB Drake Young - Day-to-Day
PRO: OL Alonzo Tofflers - 9 Weeks (Season)
TOR: OL Andrew Parsley - 2 Weeks (Season)
Players of the Week
Standings
WEST
W1 - Buffalo 10-2 -Y
W2 - Indiana 9-3 -X
W3 - Pittsburgh 8-4 -X
E3 - Minnesota 8-4 -XC
London 4-8
Toronto 4-8
Louisville 0-12
EAST
E1 - Boston 8-4 -Y
E2 - Ottawa 8-4 -X
Halifax 7-5
Montreal 5-7
Long Island 4-8
Providence 3-9
Draft Order so far
1 - Louisville
2 - Providence
3 - Toronto
4 - London
5 - Long Island
6 - Montreal
7 - Halifax -> Louisville (1st)
Power Rankings
1 - Indiana +1
2 - Buffalo +1
3 - Ottawa -2
4 - Boston +2
5 - Pittsburgh -1
6 - Minnesota -1
7 - Montreal +1
8 - Halifax -1
9 - Long Island -
10 - London -
11 - Toronto -
12 - Providence -
13 - Louisville -
Playoff Preview
East Division Semi-Final - Ottawa Royals VS. Minnesota Serpents
Head-to-Head: W11 - OTT 30-9 MIN
All-Time Playoff Head-to-Head: 0-0
Both the Royals and Serpents have both been a bit rocky down the stretch with Ottawa falling out of 1st in the East and Minnesota managing life without QB Leonidas Dumont. Both teams will be hoping to turn it around now that the playoffs have arrived, but Serpents QB Martin Keller will have a little more motivation to win against the team that had drafted him in the 1st round before replacing him just the next season by drafting QB Drake Young. Keller will be wanting to prove himself against his former squad. Overall, both teams are going to be competitive and both teams are going to have a decent amount of experience. I expect a close game, but the home field will be the difference for the Royals.
My Pick: Royals
West Division Semi-Final - Indiana Victors VS. Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
Head-to-Head: W4 - PIT 21-28 IND
All-Time Playoff Head-to-Head: 0-0
Expect there to be a lot of Pittsburgh fans making the trip down to Indianapolis, as a Pittsburgh football team has made the postseason for the first time in almost 2 decades. Indiana will be hoping the Neville Falkner-led defence will be up to the challenge of shutting down one of the league’s most explosive offences. I do think this game will come down to experience, and the Victors have the advantage after making the trip to the McCallister Cup last season, while Pittsburgh is a roster full of players who have never seen the playoffs at all.
My Pick: Victors
1969 SEASON RECAP
