QB Charles Lemieux - Buffalo Blue Wings
STATS: 25 Passing Touchdowns (3rd), 1st in Passing Yards, 8 Interceptions (2nd-least among QBs that started 2+ games)
Lemieux returned from his injury in the playoffs last season and tore up the field in 1970. He led the league in passing yards for the first time in his career. Lemieux was one of the most consistent and efficient QBs in the league, leading the highest-scoring offence in Buffalo. It was an all-around masterclass of the season from the 1x MVP.
WR Casey Coleman - Louisville Thunder
STATS: 16 Receiving Touchdowns (1st), 2nd Receiving Yards
Coleman was given a bigger responsibility this season by taking on the Captaincy for the Thunder. He took to the role both on and off the field. On the field he would be one of the most dominant WRs in the league finally getting to spread his wings and show his true potential, scoring 16 touchdowns (which is 3 more than the next WRs) and finishing 2nd behind WR Tracy Driscoll in receiving yards.
LB Kurt Warlock - Providence Gold Stars
STATS: 1st in Tackles, 6 Forced Fumbles (2nd), 1 Interception, 1 Defensive Touchdown
Providence’s defensive resurgence this season was led by their former 2nd overall pick in LB Kurt Warlock. Warlock continued to grow into the beating heart of the defence with tackle after tackle. His sheer dominance on the field is reminiscent of superstar LB Scotty Williams, the only linebacker to win the MVP.
Offensive Player of the Year
QB Charles Lemieux - Buffalo Blue Wings
STATS: 25 Passing Touchdowns (3rd), 2nd in Passing Yards, 8 Interceptions (2nd-least among QBs that started more than 2 games)
As mentioned before Lemieux’s dominance on the field this season was special, continuing to show why he is still considered the best in the game today.
RB Gary Hubbard - Edmonton Rangers
STATS: 15 Rushing Touchdowns (T-1st), 2nd Rushing Yards, 2x 2-point conversions
Gary Hubbard was the centrepiece of the Rangers offence which finished as the 2nd highest-scoring offence in the league this season. Hubbard’s consistency down the middle was a big factor in this season. He’s a tough fighter that always could scrap out a few more yards on each play. Some may say that he was certainly helped by the Rangers’ O-line which ranked as one of the best in the league, but no doubt a guy that scores 15 touchdowns in a season isn’t worthy of a nomination.
QB Tom Applewhite - Indiana Victors
STATS: 28 Passing Touchdowns (1st), 3rd in Passing Yards, 15 Interceptions
Applewhite was not quite as efficient as last season with 4 more interceptions, but he did nab 5 more TDs than last season in an effort to get the Victors back to the postseason. The strong-arm QB continued to produce an explosive offence with a bit of a change in the receiving core as WR Jake Abbredezzi broke out and WR Ed Edwards took a step back.
WR Casey Coleman - Louisville Thunder
STATS: 16 Receiving Touchdowns (1st), 2nd Receiving Yards
As mentioned before, Coleman stepped up in a big way this season and showed why he can be, and is, one of the best weapons in the NAAF.
Defensive Player of the Year
DB Neville Falkner - Indiana Victors
STATS: 9 Interceptions (1st), 6th in tackles in the secondary
Falkner, as per usual, did his thing this season with 9 interceptions, that led the league. Overall, he wasn’t as dominant as he has been in the past, but he came up with some big plays when the team needed him during the season-ending playoff push as he remains a key factor in the defence.
DB Rutherford Winters - Long Island Raiders
STATS: 8 Interceptions (T-2nd), 4th in tackles in the secondary
The aging veteran in Winters reemerged as a top corner in the league. He lead his team in secondary tackles and knockdowns this season. His 8 interceptions were tied for 2nd in the league as he led the Raiders' defence through their return to strength this season.
LB Garrett Roberts - Minnesota Serpents
STATS: 4th in Tackles, 4 Forced Fumbles
Minnesota sported the best defence in the league this season, and at its centre was last year’s 1st overall pick in LB Garrett Roberts. He did miss at least 1 game this season, but it didn’t slow him down from finishing in the top 5 in tackles this season being a key factor in the sturdy run defence.
LB Kurt Warlock - Providence Gold Stars
STATS: 1st in Tackles, 6 Forced Fumbles (2nd), 1 Interception, 1 Defensive Touchdown
As mentioned before Warlock’s dominance this season was reminiscent of Scotty Williams’ play during the 1950s. He was unbelievably effective all over the field this season.
Special Teams Player of the Year (Finalists no vote - These are the top 3 in terms of points scored during the season)
K Ryan Perch - Buffalo Blue Wings
K Nimrod Handsworth - London Tigers
K Sterling Brooks - Vancouver Wolves
Offensive Lineman of the Year
OL Charles Creighton - Edmonton Rangers
As mentioned under RB Gary Hubbard, the Rangers’ O-line ranked as one of the best this season and Creighton was the best of that crew. His expertise in the run game led to a lot of opportunities for Hubbard and the backup RB Ed O’Connor to get into the open air this season.
OL Elias McCarren - Minnesota Serpents
Minnesota’s offence was one of the most efficient this season having the least amount of turnovers this season. A large reason for that is the protection that Elias McCarren provides for QB Martin Keller who was able to make the smart play under little pressure. On top of that, McCarren was effective in helping to create a lot of holes for Minnesota’s run-heavy offence.
OL Erik Nelson - Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
The former 1st overall pick continued to be the central figure on the Blacksmiths’ O-line. Nelson continues to be a key factor in giving QB Louis Vaughn enough time in the pocket as well as being able to give a considered weaker run game some life, being extra physical in the trenches.
Rookie of the Year
OL Alan Mitchell - Long Island Raiders
Mitchell made an immediate impact on the Raiders’ O-line this season. In the past couple of years, the Raiders had slipped down to the lowest ranks allowing more pressures than most teams in the league. However, with Mitchell coming and some other help the Raiders’ O-line has taken a big step towards returning consistently to the top of the league.
LB Ricky Wildgoose - Louisville Thunder
STATS: 1st in Tackles among rookies, 3 Forced Fumbles
Wildgoose took a couple of games to get going, but after an injury to LB Le’Darius Wynn, Wildgoose was forced to step up this season. He stepped up well, leading the Thunder and all rookies in tackles this season. It appears that the Thunder may finally have found themselves a sturdy LB core with Wynn and Wildgoose.
DB Austin Sherebernikoff - Minnesota Serpents
STATS: 5 Interceptions (1st among rookies)
The expectations for Sherebernikoff were lower going into the draft and when Minnesota took the corner 8th overall, many were skeptical, however, Sherebernikoff turned out to be a great pick. While it took a couple of games to get into the starting lineup, by the midway point he was a staple in the lineup and would pick up 5 interceptions over the later half of the season. He’s a great fit in the Serpents' secondary and should be a cornerstone piece for years to come.
Coach of the Year
HC Levi Bray - Long Island Raiders
RECORD: 9-3 - 1st East
Bray’s return to a head coaching role turned out to be a smashing success as the Raiders bounced back from missing the playoffs for the first time since 1963 last season to win their NAAF-leading 8th division title. Bray’s offensive scheming also rejuvenated QB Ivan Sanchez’s career which was on its last legs after a pair of disappointing seasons. Bray clearly showed continued growth in the game and looks to be the right man for the Raiders.
HC Soni Dionne - Minnesota Serpents
RECORD: 10-2 - 1st West
Dionne improved on the masterful first season for the expansion Serpents by taking them to the top of the league with a 10-2 record. Minnesota made several changes to the gameplan this season and it paid off putting up a top 5 offence and a #1 defence this season. Last year’s Coach of the Year winner continues to make his mark and prove that last season was not a fluke and the Serpents are here to say.
HC Tommy Warner - Providence Gold Stars
RECORD: 8-4 - 2nd East
Another new coach made a massive statement this season with Tommy Warner taking over the Gold Stars. Warner had already been working with the defence, but now being fully in charge, his defence flourished, being ranked #2 in the league. Providence massively improved to make just their second playoff appearance since 1964 which certainly gets fans really excited for the future.
Breakout Player of the Year
WR Tracy Driscoll - Buffalo Blue Wings
STATS: 13 Receiving Touchdowns (T-2nd), 1st in Receiving Yards
Driscoll exploded as QB Charles Lemieux’s favourite target this season. The speed threat consistently made big plays that got Buffalo out to many big leads. Not only was he great at getting into the endzone, but he consistently picked up loads of yardage leading to him being the league leader in receiving yards this season. A great breakout season for the former 12th overall pick.
WR Jake Abbredezzi - Indiana Victors
STATS: 13 Receiving Touchdowns (T-2nd), 3rd in Receiving Yards
Right next to Driscoll was Abbredezzi who had a similar rise to the top. Abbredezzi overtook WR Ed Edwards for the top WRs spot in Indiana this season, being a deep threat the also scored tons and picked up a lot of yardage. Abbredezzi was a much-needed injection of firepower in the Victors’ offence.
LB Garrett Roberts - Minnesota Serpents
STATS: 4th in Tackles, 4 Forced Fumbles
Roberts’ first season was lackluster as the #1 pick in the draft, but he came alive in his second year and made a big impact in the league’s best defence. Roberts is developing into what many expect him to be after being taken #1, a sturdy force down the middle of the defence that will rack up tackles, especially in the more cover-focused defence.
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