1970 Pre-season Power Rankings

**Full warning this is a very long post, but hey I hope it gets people excited about their teams!**
* = New Captain/Alternate Captain

1 - Ottawa Royals
1969 Record: 8-4 - 2nd East
1969 Result: Lost McCallister Cup
Head Coach: Jean Matieau
Offensive Scheme: Balanced
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-2-2

The Royals top the Pre-Season Power Rankings for the first time since 1958 as they aim to improve on a pair of strong seasons. Ottawa has blossomed into a scary team with a defence full of playmakers. On the D-line, Bernhard Hartmann makes his mark with countless knockdowns and sacks, while DB Sergio Alvarez and S Marc Bellecourt clean up in the secondary. They even added to the D-line with 6-time All-Star DL Craig White joining the team. The one point of weakness could be the LB core which is needing a pair of younger players in Tuukka Tariitt and Wallace Jordan to step into bigger roles this season. The defence is scary, but the offence is not slouch, especially with HC Jean Matieau at the helm. QB Drake Young enters his 2nd full season and only looks to improve on an impressive rookie season. He’s surrounded by loads of veterans in WR Marshall Leonard, WR Colby Bancana, and RB Corbyn Knight to support him. Ottawa is poised to be in the hunt for the cup again this season. 

Captains
C - WR Marshall Leonard
A - LB Sam Wheeler
A - DL Bernhard Hartmann

Starting QB: QB Drake Young
Biggest Acquisition: DL Craig White
Rookie to watch: OL Dane Hodgeson

2 - Buffalo Blue Wings
1969 Record: 10-2 - 1st West
1969 Result: Won McCallister Cup
Head Coach: Maurice Evanson
Offensive Scheme: Balanced
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-2-2

The defending champions are still good, to the surprise of no one. However, Buffalo is certainly not quite as strong as they have been after losing key pieces in DL Lonnie Vincent and LB Orion Carter. There are some immediate concerns about the D-line as both DL William Sanderson and DL Tournel Guay are only getting older and the depth not being there. They also have the hole that was left by LB Orion Carter. In order to fill the hole, the team brought back LB Linus Kinjerski and drafted Eric Strohecker, but neither player is bringing too much confidence to the back end. Outside of the negatives, Buffalo is still a strong team, especially offensively with QB Charles Lemieux returning from injury alongside his many weapons, however, there could be an interesting battle in the backfield as young RB Jasper Dickerson will be vying for an opportunity over RB Jimmy Golden, especially since he is on the last year of his contract. Dickerson has been strong in the action he has gotten which may lead to him being a highly sought-after player if Buffalo continues to roll with Golden.

Captains
C - QB Charles Lemieux
A - DB Dean Hawkins
A - DL William Sanderson*

Starting QB: QB Charles Lemieux
Biggest Acquisition: LB Linus Kinjerski
Rookie to Watch: LB Eric Strohecker

3 - Boston Independents
1969 Record: 8-4 - 1st East
1969 Result: Lost East Division Final
Head Coach: Kenneth Channey
Offensive Scheme: Balanced
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-3-1

The Independents bounced back in a big way last season with their first playoff appearance since 1965. This offseason, they went out and grabbed a pair of players to continue to develop the roster. Those key signings are DL Bjorn Sigmarsson and WR Al Allmendinger. Sigmarsson should be a big add for a defence that is hoping to build off of a strong season, while Allmendinger might be the #1 target that QB Nathaniel Braddock needs. Boston is certainly feeling the pressure of needing to compete while Braddock is still at his best, so expect this team to be right in the fight. 

Captains
C - QB Nathaniel Braddock
A - OL Graham Chambers
A - S Ernie Osborne

Starting QB: QB Nathaniel Braddock
Biggest Acquisition: DL Bjorn Sigmarsson
Rookie to Watch: LB Dallas Rush

4 - Indiana Victors
1969 Record: 9-3 - 2nd West
1969 Result: Lost West Division Semi-Final
Head Coach: Urick Wilkins
Offensive Scheme: Pass Heavy
Defensive Scheme: 3-4-3-1

It was a disappointing first-round exit for the Victors last season, especially after adding DB Neville Falkner to their secondary, but they are poised to make a push for the cup again this season. Many veterans like DB Kelly Kirkland, DL Howard Grant, and OL Jimmy McKay stuck around in a push to go for the cup. However, with a lot of aging veterans, that does make this season a cup-or-bust year as they are likely going to start to lose some pieces come next offseason. Overall, the Victors are built well, with a sturdy defence and an offence that can be explosive, but the biggest question will be in the backfield with RB Tresean Jones coming over from Pittsburgh. Jones has not really found his footing in the league and is on his 3rd team already, unless a younger RB Shannon West can break through this season, there will be a lot riding on Jones’ shoulders. 

Captains
C - OL Viktor Stahl*
A - LB Terrence Patton
A - DB Kelly Kirkland*

Starting QB: QB Tom Applewhite
Biggest Acquisition: RB Tresean Jones
Rookie to Watch: DB Byron Knight

5 - Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
1969 Record: 8-4 - 3rd West
1969 Result: Lost West Division Final
Head Coach: Ted McMahon
Offensive Scheme: Balanced
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-2-2

Pittsburgh broke through last season as a contender for the Cup with their first playoff appearance and win. QB Louis Vaughn is hoping to build off of his MVP season last year and get the team to the next level. The offence overall got a little stronger with the additions of TE Jesse Butler and RB Raymond Green. The O-line has developed very well to form one of the best in the league, certainly making Vaughn feel very comfortable in the pocket. The defence has seen its stars continue to develop in DB Zed McLaughlin and DL Arthur Bradshaw. Pittsburgh projects to be a solid team, but they do have a tall task in the very competitive Central Division. 

Captains
C - QB Louis Vaughn
A - OL Erik Nelson
A - DL Sammy Pickett

Starting QB: QB Louis Vaughn
Biggest Acquisition: RB Raymond Green
Rookie to Watch: DL Jeff Lamonte

6 - Minnesota Serpents
1969 Record: 8-4 - 4th West
1969 Result: Lost East Division Semi-Final
Head Coach: Soni Dionne
Offensive Scheme: Run Heavy
Defensive Scheme: 3-3-3-2

The Serpents shocked the league last year with their 8-4 season. However, they were still only good for a 4th place finish in the competitive West last season. Luckily for them, they are rolling into the new West Division this season which projects to be a much weaker division. Minnesota is rolling into this season with being one of the top 2 teams in the West and with their experience under hybrid rules might just be the top team in the division at season's end. The team is one of the deepest in the league, even after moving both WR Edward Webb and DB Ross Conroy. They continued to solidify their LB core with the addition of Orion Carter to go along with last season’s #1 pick, LB Garrett Roberts. However, the big question is under centre. The team is rolling with QB Martin Keller for week one. Keller started the last several games for the Serpents after QB Leonidas Dumont was injured, and was picked by the team to be their future starter. However, with the performance of Dumont last season, it would not be surprising to see him on the field if Keller struggles. Minnesota is in a good place to succeed they just need to go out and prove it.

Captains
C - OL Elias McCarren
A - WR Evan Clanton
A - DL Albert Sullivan

Starting QB: QB Martin Keller
Biggest Acquisition: LB Orion Carter
Rookie to Watch: DB Austin Sherebernikoff

7 - Vancouver Wolves
1969 Record: -
1969 Result: -
Head Coach: Johnnie Dawson
Offensive Scheme: Balanced
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-2-2

Going into the season the West Division looks like a two-horse race between Minnesota and Vancouver. Some may say Vancouver is the more experienced and stronger team between the two, but with the Wolves are going to be adjusting to a new ruleset this season which may cause some struggles early on. However, others feel they will just be fine, especially with how well the Toronto Steelheads started when they made the transition. The team is led by QB Kevin Westwood who should be right up there with the elite QBs of the NAAF, along with plenty of great talent in RB Jeremiah Morrow and WR Keshawn Johnston on offence as well as DL Rashawn Sutherland, LB Shawn Anderson, and DB Christian Allen on defence. Vancouver is easily the strongest of the WFU teams so expect them to be the challengers to the Serpents this season. 

Captains
C - QB Kevin Westwood
A - WR Keshawn Johnston
A - DL Jared Kendall

Starting QB: QB Kevin Westwood
Star to Watch: DL Rashawn Sutherland
Rookie to Watch: DL Qian Zhou

8 - Montreal Rouge
1969 Record: 5-7 - 4th East
1969 Result: Missed Playoffs
Head Coach: Alfred Deniau
Offensive Scheme: Balanced
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-2-2

The Rouge have, in a way, quietly been struggling. They’ve been competitive, but have fallen short of the playoffs in each of the last couple of seasons. The pressure is certainly mounting on QB Gene Bishop as the front office went out and drafted a young QB in Nathan Houle to potentially be a future replacement. The last few seasons seem to have had the Rouge trapped in the awkward turnover phase between the older veterans and the youth. S Garet deVale and DL Lucas Kipling are some notable names that are nearing the end of their careers. Luckily, Montreal does have a lot of youth in their defence that is hoping to break through like their pair of 1st round LBs in Willie Stetson and Jean-Christophe Bain as well as DBs Lamar Brown and Jean Paul du Pont. Offensively, they are hoping Bishop can build off of a strong finish to last season, while they also are hoping the run game can rebound after a tough season with the pickup of RB Théodore Lemieux. Overall, Montreal is an interesting team that could be a playoff contender if things start to go their way.

Captains
C - OL Mathieu Roy
A - WR Taylor Karis
A - S Garet deVale

Starting QB: QB Gene Bishop
Biggest Acquisition: RB Théodore Lemieux
Rookie to Watch: LB Jean-Christophe Bain

9 - Louisville Thunder
1969 Record: 0-12 - 7th West
1969 Result: Missed Playoffs
Head Coach: Lou Granger
Offensive Scheme: Pass Heavy
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-2-2

Despite going winless last season, the Thunder are in the top half of the power rankings to start the season. A major reason was the offseason moves that the team made to turn it around. Notably, they made a change at head coach to Lou Granger, then they picked up the top free agent in DB Aquilio Ruiz before picking LB Ricky Wildgoose with the #1 pick. All key changes that could be the key to righting the ship. Another key change is a new leadership group for this season. Many veterans were in charge of the team over the last couple of seasons, so Granger wanted to shake it up. WR Casey Coleman is the team’s new captain. While Coleman hasn’t always been a great leader, after meeting with Granger and the new staff, Coleman arrived at training camp with a fire beneath him to ignite this team. He wants to win and the rest of the players are ready to follow him. LB Le’Darius Wynn and S Tom McDougall also receive “A”s to fill out the rest of the team. With Buck Murphy returning from injury and all the changes the team has made, there is a lot to be excited about for the Thunder this season.

Captains
C - WR Casey Coleman*
A - LB Le’Darius Wynn*
A - S Tom McDougall*

Starting QB: QB Buck Murphy
Biggest Acquisition: DB Aquilio Ruiz
Rookie to Watch: LB Ricky Wildgoose

10 - Providence Gold Stars
1969 Record: 3-9 - 6th East
1969 Result: Missed Playoffs
Head Coach: Tommie Warner
Offensive Scheme: Run Heavy
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-2-2

Despite finishing with the 2nd worst record last season, the Gold Stars look like a team that could make some noise this season. The addition of some of the young talent certainly helps, but it is also the addition of some solid pieces like WR Edward Webb and S Tom Parrish. Parrish was an underappreciated player in Indianapolis, but he seems to be making an immediate impact on the team, earning an “A” on his jersey in his first season with the team. While no one is expecting the Gold Stars to be McCallister Cup favourites, a more stable offence under QB Landon Ross (although QB Ulysses Lawyer may also see the field) and OC Kerry Holder and a refreshing voice at the helm in HC Tommie Warner, certainly makes this team a lot stronger overall and more hopeful for the future.

Captains
C - LB Viktor Falkensteig
A - WR Owen Paisley
A - S Tom Parrish

Starting QB: QB Landon Ross
Biggest Acquisition: WR Edward Webb
Rookie to Watch: LB Nathaniel Lovelady

11 - Halifax Mariners
1969 Record: 7-5 - 3rd East 
1969 Result: Missed Playoffs
Head Coach: Ben McMillan
Offensive Scheme: Balanced
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-2-2

The Mariners are the easy pick this season to take a step back from last season. The Mariners lost one of their biggest young pieces in Aquilio Ruiz as well as a few other veterans, including long-time captain OL Ward Briscoe. The team is still led by QB Lyle Painter and a strong WR core, as well as key pieces on defence like DL Wayne Baxton, DB Joe Robinson, and newly named captain, DL Pat Bulter. However, at LB, TE and in the backfield, the team is depending on a lot of unproven talent. At LB, both Frederic Macnamara and Walker Colson are going to need to step into some big shoes with the loss of LB Bear Donnelly. Rookie TE Brandon McPhail is likely going to be depended on early next to Daryl Leclair to fill the hole left by Dylan Chowder. Finally, in the backfield, it could be a battle all season long between a trio of RBs who have never been feature back. RB Ed Finley is expected to be the guy to start the season as he hopes he has some luck with his 3rd different team, but rookie RB Rene Lyons and RB Byron Rodham could also get a fair share of snaps. Overall, Halifax has some talent and can compete, but with a lot of the aforementioned issues, the team has a big hill to climb.

Captains
C - DL Pat Butler*
A - DB Joe Robinson
A - QB Lyle Painter*

Starting QB: QB Lyle Painter
Biggest Acquisition: DB Rob Risker
Rookie to Watch: RB Rene Lyons

12 - Edmonton Rangers
1969 Record: -
1969 Result: -
Head Coach: Pat Gilliam
Offensive Scheme: Balanced
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-2-2

The Rangers could be an interesting team to watch this season. They are still a group of guys who have a lot of experience that, much like Vancouver could make some noise. However, they are an older team, with lots of players that are past their prime. The team makeup makes Edmonton a team that could definitely run into injury trouble and fatigue throughout the season, especially when having to face some stronger teams. 37-year-old QB Blair Collins is still hoping he has a bit left in the tank to keep Edmonton competitive, they do appear to be the 3rd best team in the fairly weak west, but again age may start to catch up to the veteran. Overall, Edmonton is a solid team, but certainly a little behind the rest of the NAAF.

Captains
C - QB Blair Collins
A - LB Herb Landry
A - OL Charles Creighton

Starting QB: QB Blair Collins
Star to Watch: LB Frank St. John
Rookie to Watch: WR Elliot Gold

13 - Long Island Raiders
1969 Record: 4-8 - 5th East
1969 Result: Missed Playoffs
Head Coach: Levi Bray
Offensive Scheme: Run Heavy
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-2-2

The Raiders have been on a bumpy road the last couple of seasons after their strong run in the mid-60s. There is some renewed hope in the team, with an overhauled defence and a new head coach. The Raiders had run into issues with defensive depth recently, but they aimed to solve that with the additions of LB Bear Donnelly, LB Red Clarkson, and DB Ross Conroy. The offence should also get a boost with Levi Bray arriving as the head coach. He hopes to turn the offence into a more dynamic force, using more than just the run game, even if the team remains fairly run-heavy. However, a lot of the offensive success could be riding on QB Ivan Sanchez who is getting his 3rd chance to lead the team. Sanchez has shown flashes of solid play, but also lots of inconsistency. The leash will not be long for Sanchez this season, as the team did sign QB David Simmons, a QB they were interested in drafting back in 1967. The Raiders could find themselves back in the hunt for the playoffs, but Sanchez has got to prove that he has taken steps in the right direction.

Captains
C - LB William Washington II*
A - RB Dareion Fields*
A - DB Rutherford Winters

Starting QB: QB Ivan Sanchez
Biggest Acquisition: LB Bear Donnelly
Rookie to Watch: OL Alan Mitchell

14 - Calgary Tigers
1969 Record: -
1969 Result: -
Head Coach: Travis Hobson
Offensive Scheme: Wild West
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-2-2

The Calgary Tigers are expecting to have a lot of eyes on them with their Wild West offence. The very new style of offence that utilizes every skill position possible to run, pass, and catch creates a very entertaining team. Expect to see lots of crazy plays that see stars like RB John Drexel, RB Tyler Smith, and WR Ted Jackson create havoc, especially when QB Jesse Essex is under centre. Essex is a very dynamic mobile QB whose best asset is his feet, which certainly helped him on the wider Canadian field. Essex is expected to be the primary starter, but QB Jerome Sheppard will make his case as well to get some opportunities as he is still a solid arm talent. Defensively, Calgary does have some dangerous pieces like DL Damien Battles, LB Junior Abbott and DB Scott Summerhayes. Calgary is probably the definition of a wild card, they could be very bad or honestly pretty solid. 

Captains
C - DL Chris Barrett
A - RB John Drexel
A - LB Junior Abbott

Starting QB: QB Jesse Essex
Star to Watch: RB John Drexel
Rookie to Watch: DL Wolfgang Dill

15 - London Tigers
1969 Record: 4-8 - 5th West
1969 Result: Missed Playoffs
Head Coach: Dewey Doyle
Offensive Scheme: Balanced
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-2-2

Losing your franchise QB is certainly going to hurt your team heading into the season. With Riley Kiernan retiring, it is the beginning of a new era in London. QB Magnus Torrensen has been tabbed as the starter going into week 1, head coach Dewey Doyle stated “Magnus has been here for a few years waiting for an opportunity, we think he deserves a fair shot”. Torrensen is the starter on day one, but expect to see QB Emmitt Jackson at some point after he had a solid performance in the final game of last season. Outside of the QB position, the Tigers are loaded with youth. They have young stars in the newly assigned alternate captain, DL Mo Kahn, as well as a pair of solid LBs from last season's draft in Everett Lynch and Reuben James. Not to mention the up-and-coming talent in the WR core in WR Leon Hudson, WR Cole Fletcher, and WR Jesse Lambert. Also, watch out for RB Jeremy Royal who is reportedly been very impressive in training camp and is expected to be getting most of the carries going into the start of the season. Overall, the Tigers are not expected to be a playoff team, but they certainly have lots to look forward to with the youth movement.

Captains
C - DB Jackson Miles*
A - DL Mo Kahn*
A - OL Emil Jennings

Starting QB: QB Magnus Torrensen
Biggest Acquisition: DB Tyler Hill
Rookie to Watch: DL Matt Brown

16 - Winnipeg Falcons
1969 Record: -
1969 Result: -
Head Coach: Jay Nielson
Offensive Scheme: Balanced
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-3-1

The Falcons are a building team. They have some really solid pieces like WR Terry Upshaw, RB Joe Rivers and LB Claude Clarke who make up the leadership team, but the talent around them is still trying to find their footing. QB Emerson Thompson may be the biggest example of this as the 24-year-old is hoping to build off of his first year as a starter. Thompson has some solid fundamentals under him, but he still has to grow into the role which may hold the team back early. Now, the one thing going in the Falcons' favour may be the stability of the team, they are overall solid with lots of good character and chemistry. Their overall scheme is a lot simpler, especially when compared to Calgary, which may help the team with the transition to the new rules, but regardless, the team is a bit behind the rest but could make some noise if things break right for them.

Captains
C - LB Claude Clarke
A - RB Joe Rivers
A - WR Terry Upshaw

Starting QB: QB Emerson Thompson
Star to Watch: WR Terry Upshaw
Rookie to Watch: DL Jordan Mantis

17 - Toronto Steelheads
1969 Record: 4-8 - 6th West
1969 Result: Missed Playoffs
Head Coach: Ronald Martin
Offensive Scheme: Run Heavy
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-3-1

The Steelheads are an odd team. They have one of the best running backs in all of football, but they have struggled to surround him with a strong team, especially as the old OFU alumni continue to retire. The O-line projects to be one of the weakest in the league, which is only hurting the run game. They also lost one of their top WRs in Al Allmendinger, which they did hope to replace with 3rd overall pick, WR Cameron Kane, but who knows if he can make an impact if they can’t get the ball to him. That brings the team to its biggest concern, the QB position. Todd Baker is an all-time great, but he is not the same QB he used to be, especially with the team’s weak O-line he has just lost his mobility. They once again passed on an opportunity to get a younger QB and failed to attract David Simmons in free agency. Now, overall it’s a lot of negatives, but to the team’s credit, they appear to have a very solid LB core and secondary headlined by LB Judge Barrett and DB Oliver Langstrom, which may be their one saving grace this season. 

Captains
C - QB Todd Baker
A - OL Gregory Farrell
A - DB Oliver Langstrom

Starting QB: QB Todd Baker
Biggest Acquisition: WR Alexei Dubois
Rookie to Watch: WR Cameron Kane

18 - Regina Wheat Kings
1969 Record: -
1969 Result: -
Head Coach: Wayne Combs
Offensive Scheme: Balanced
Defensive Scheme: 4-3-3-1

Regina is the worst team in the league. Most would agree, even fans of the team in Saskatchewan. They are going to be riding on the back of QB Rusty Lamb, who has had a few chances with other teams but has not been very impressive. Luckily, they do have some solid O-line pieces with a lot of local guys, as well as some young talent with RB Deion Chapman and WR Nick Spalding, but the rest of the group is certainly lacking. Defensively, they have a pair of leaders in DL Pete Gingers and LB Brett Pride, that could cause some damage, especially the hard-hitting Pride. Overall, Regina will continue to build the team this season, but it is a very long shot that this team is anywhere near the Cup, let alone the playoffs. 

Captains
C - LB Brett Pride
A - DL Pete Gingers
A - QB Rusty Lamb

Starting QB: QB Rusty Lamb
Star to Watch: LB Brett Pride
Rookie to Watch: DL Derick Parks

Wally’s Predictions

I expect the West to be a two-horse race between Vancouver and Minnesota. Although Edmonton may make a push at the end of the season, especially for Minnesota’s playoff spot with Vancouver securing the division title a week early.

The Central is going to be the toughest battle between, Buffalo, Indiana, and Pittsburgh, but I think the Blue Wings just edge out the other two. Louisville also has a much improved season and finishes just outside the playoffs.

The East is likely seeing Boston and Ottawa move on to the playoffs. I have Ottawa being Boston in the final game to clinch the division. However, Montreal, Providence, Long Island, and Halifax are all in the running for the final playoff spot. I just have Montreal being Providence in the final game to secure the 8th seed. 

In the playoffs, I think Ottawa easily handles whoever gets that 8 seed. Then Pittsburgh rolls into Buffalo and shocks the defending champs. Vancouver beats Minnesota to capture the Mackenzie Cup, keeping it in Canada, while Indiana’s mission to get a ring begins with a big win over Boston. 

In the second round, I think Ottawa ends the Blacksmith’s season, while Indiana manages to overcome the long road trip to Vancouver and gets back to the McCallister Cup. 

While the story of Indy and Neville Falkner capturing the cup is great, I don’t think the Royals with the amount of talent they have lose back-to-back especially when the Cup is just down the road in Montreal. I predict they capture their 5th title on the same field where they won the last one in 1959.