KICKOFF
Boston Independents - 26 @ Providence Gold Stars - 29 - New Providence Stadium - Thursday, June 21, 1973 - 7:00 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy - Attendance: 65,094
1st Q
0-7: PRO - PTD QB Red King -> TE Kairos Knight
7-7: BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Tyreek Flores
10-7: BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
2nd Q
10-14: PRO - PTD QB Red King -> WR Justin Palmer
13-14: BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
13-17: PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
3rd Q
13-18: PRO - Single K Gilbert O’Neill
13-25: PRO - RTD RB Tresean Jones
16-25: BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
4th Q
23-25: BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
26-25: BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
26-26: PRO - Single K Gilbert O’Neill
26-29: PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
Providence kicked off the NAAF’s 25th Season by raising their first banner in the league’s history, in front of their rivals.
The game itself ended up being a back-and-forth affair, but the Gold Stars would start to pull away in the 3rd after a couple of costly Boston turnovers.
However, Providence would get a little too comfortable and the Independents, getting some turnovers themselves including a very important S Ernie Osborne pick, would climb back into the game to take the lead in the 4th.
Providence would get a chance to take the lead with a field goal, but K Gilbert O’Neill would miss the relatively short kick, sending the ball through the endzone for a single to at least tie the game.
After the defence shut down Boston, O’Neill would get a second chance, this time nailing the game-winning kick to start the season off with a 3-point nailbiter.
The win also marks QB Red King’s 18th consecutive win as a starter, he has not lost a game he has started since September 4, 1971, in a Week 11 loss to Vancouver.
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Louisville Thunder - 16 @ Montreal Rouge - 30 - Mount Royal Stadium - Friday, June 22, 1973 - 7:00 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy - Attendance: 46,247
1st Q
0-7: MTL - RTD RB Bo Frazier
2nd Q
0-10: MTL - FG K Buster McDooley
0-17: MTL - DTD INT DB Lamar Brown
3-17: LOU - FG K Rhys Kupp
3rd Q
3-20: MTL - FG K Buster McDooley
6-20: LOU - FG K Rhys Kupp
6-23: MTL - FG K Buster McDooley
4th Q
13-23: LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
13-30: MTL - PTD QB Tom Applewhite -> WR Taylor Karis
16-30: LOU - FG K Rhys Kupp
QB Tom Applewhite made his first start for Montreal against a very familiar foe in the Thunder.
Applewhite was able to lead a steady Montreal offence throughout the game, eventually finding WR Taylor Karis for his first touchdown pass.
However, the real stars were on defence as Montreal held the usually high-flying Thunder to 6 points until the 4th quarter.
The Thunder played sloppily, especially QB Buck Murphy who threw 3 interceptions in the loss.
Ottawa Royals - 30 @ Halifax Mariners - 20 - Atlantic Stadium - Saturday, June 23, 1973 - 12:00 PM ET/1:00 PM AT - Weather: Cloudy - Attendance: 24,030
1st Q
0-7: HFX - RTD RB Axel Vandal
7-7: OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Charles Toothacre
2nd Q
10-7: OTT - FG K Ira Foster
10-10: HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
17-10: OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Sterling Underhill
3rd Q
20-10: OTT - FG K Ira Foster
20-13: HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
4th Q
23-13: OTT - FG K Ira Foster
30-13: OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Sterling Underhill
30-20: HFX - RTD RB Axel Vandal
The Royals headed to Halifax to kick off their season, ultimately putting together a solid 10-point win.
QB Drake Young was near perfect with 3 passing touchdowns and over 300 yards, being helped by WR Sterling Underhill who had 2 big touchdowns.
Halifax didn’t have too bad of a game as RB Axel Vandal showed that he had taken a step forward in his second season, setting a new career high in rushing yards and scoring twice in the loss.
Toronto Steelheads - 19 @ Indiana Victors - 11 - Victory Stadium - Saturday, June 23, 1973 - 12:00 PM ET - Weather: Clear - Attendance: 41,893
1st Q
0-7: IND - PTD QB Al Washington -> WR Jake Abbredezzi
2nd Q
3-7: TOR - FG K Frank Hughes
6-7: TOR - FG K Frank Hughes
3rd Q
9-7: TOR - FG K Frank Hughes
9-8: IND - Single K Ross Poindexter
16-8: TOR - RTD RB Shannon West
4th Q
16-11: IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
19-11: TOR - FG K Frank Hughes
The Victors got off to a roaring start when QB Al Washington elected to fire a pass over everyone to WR Jake Abbredezzi to score a quick touchdown on the opening drive.
It would be Indiana’s only glimmer of hope as Toronto’s defence would shut them down the rest of the way, creating several turnovers in the process.
Offensively, Toronto was relatively smooth, mainly leaning on RB Shannon West while QB Ryan Alexander settled into a game-management rhythm to pull off a solid division win.
Calgary Predators - 24 @ Winnipeg Falcons - 26 - Provencher Park - June 23, 1973 - 3:30 PM ET/2:30 PM CT - Weather: Cloudy - Attendance: 22,402
1st Q
7-0: CGY - RTD RB John Drexel
10-0: CGY - FG K Billy Eichelberger
2nd Q
10-7: WPG - PTD QB Emerson Thompson -> TE Douglas Northway
10-10: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth
10-13: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth
3rd Q
17-13: CGY - RTD QB Emmitt Jackson
17-20: WPG - RTD RB Joe Rivers
4th Q
17-23: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth
24-23: CGY - PTD QB Emmitt Jackson -> WR Ted Jackson
24-26: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth
Winnipeg and Calgary would have a back-and-forth affair to kick off each of their seasons.
Calgary’s offence showed similar effectiveness, getting into the endzone 3 times, however, 4 turnovers allowed Winnipeg to stay in the game.
QB Emerson Thompson was solid along with the rest of the offence, taking advantage of the Preds’ woes to put themselves in position to get a late field goal to take home a strong week 1 win.
Edmonton Rangers - 20 @ Regina Wheat Kings - 7 - Broad Street Stadium - June 23, 1973 - 3:30 PM ET/1:30 PM CST - Weather: Clear - Attendance: 15,166
1st Q
7-0: EDM - PTD QB Mike Key -> WR Spencer Hicks
13-0: EDM - RTD RB Gary Hubbard
2nd Q
3rd Q
13-7: REG - RTD RB Deion Chapman
4th Q
20-7: EDM - PTD QB Mike Key -> WR Stanley McClendon
The Rangers rolled into Regina and jumped out to a commanding 13-0 lead off of a bad interception thrown by QB Stanley Evans.
QB Mike Key played solid in his Edmonton debut, able to coast through most of the game after the early lead, but still threw a pair of touchdowns.
Regina’s offence sputtered with many turnovers and just consistent dropped passes or sacks being taken, however, the defence was still solid holding Edmonton off the board until late in the game after the early turnovers.
SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Minnesota Serpents - 26 @ Buffalo Blue Wings - 13 - Milton Charles Stadium - June 23, 1973 - 7:00 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Attendance: 53,829
1st Q
3-0: MIN - FG K Ray Bough
6-0: MIN - FG K Ray Bough
2nd Q
9-0: MIN - FG K Ray Bough
9-7: BUF - RTD RB Jasper Dickerson
3rd Q
16-7: MIN - RTD RB Tyler Kuhn
16-10: BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
23-10: MIN - PTD QB Martin Keller -> TE Xavier Francis Langford
4th Q
23-13: BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
26-13: MIN - FG K Ray Bough
Minnesota would close out Saturday’s action with a convincing win over the Blue Wings.
The offence was moving steadily early in the game, opening with 3 consecutive field goals.
On the other hand, Buffalo’s offence was not doing as well with the Serpents’ defence shutting them down until a late 1st half touchdown by RB Jasper Dickerson.
Minnesota responded to the Blue Wings’ touchdown in the 3rd, reaching the endzone twice to pull away to a 23-10 lead.
The Serpents would easily hold on to capture a win to start the season.
Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 21 @ Long Island Raiders - 33 - Long Island Stadium - June 24, 1973 - 1:00 PM ET - Weather: Clear - Attendance: 40,229
1st Q
0-3: LI - FG K Vic Greatwood
0-6: LI - FG K Vic Greatwood
7-6: PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> TE Jesse Butler
7-9: LI - FG K Vic Greatwood
2nd Q
7-16: LI - RTD RB Scott Norton
7-23: LI - DTD FUMR DL Chris Price - FFUM DL Johnathan Ellison
3rd Q
7-24: LI - Single K Vic Greatwood
14-24: PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
4th Q
14-27: LI - FG K Vic Greatwood
21-27: PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
21-33: LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Nick Spalding
With the pressure on to perform, the Raiders made a statement against the Blacksmiths, crushing them on home soil.
The defence played well despite losing top LB William Washington II to a major injury, notably getting a defensive score off of a forced fumble from DL Johnathan Ellison.
The offence was also on, getting into the endzone two more times, including a game-sealing bomb from Sanchez to WR Nick Spalding in his Raiders’ debut.
The Blacksmiths still showed signs of life with Vaughn finding the endzone 3 times in the loss, but once again Pittsburgh is on the back foot to start the season.
Vancouver Wolves - 21 @ London Tigers - 7 - Western Fair Stadium - June 24, 1973 - 4:30 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Attendance: 27,767
1st Q
7-0: VAN - PTD QB Kevin Westwood -> WR Tristian Lewis
2nd Q
8-0: VAN - Single K Sterling Brooks
11-0: VAN - FG K Sterling Brooks
3rd Q
11-7: LDN - RTD RB Jeremy Royal
18-7: VAN - PTD QB Kevin Westwood -> WR Keshawn Johnston
4th Q
21-7: VAN - FG K Sterling Brooks
The final game of the week would see the Wolves control the tempo against the Tigers.
The McCallister Cup finalist from last season played a solid and clean game, taking care of the ball and scoring 21 points.
The Tigers didn’t have many answers for the Wolves’ defence, which kept them contained and forced three interceptions in the game.
Injury Report
BOS: LB Mads Strahlman - Mild Concussion - 1 Week
BOS: DL Joseph Kerr - Hip Injury - 5 Weeks
BOS: LB Benjamin Page - Foot Injury - 1 Week
BUF: OL Garth Brooklyn - Sprained Ankle - 1 Week
CGY: DL Michael Ellis - Wrist Sprain - 2 Weeks
CGY: OL Killion Lane - Sports Hernia - 12 Weeks
HFX: S Sampson Wendel - Minor Bruise - Day-to-Day
IND: LB Maxwell Trevorrow - Severe Cut - Day-to-Day
LI: LB William Washington II - Severe Ligament Tear - 11 Weeks
LI: OL Tony D’Allesandro - Tight Hamstring - Day-to-Day
LOU: QB Rusty Lamb - Sprained Ankle - 2 Weeks
MIN: WR Ferdinand Matthews - Tight Calf - Day-to-Day
MTL: WR Nathan Hackman - Concussion - 6 Weeks
MTL: WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence - High Ankle Sprain - 12 Weeks
OTT: DB Tyler Hill - Minor Shoulder Injury - 2 Weeks
OTT: DB Jerome Caldwell - Illness - Day-to-Day
PIT: OL Ben Jammin - Hamstring Injury - Day-to-Day
PRO: S Todd Collingwood - Mild Ligament Sprain - 4 Weeks
REG: LB Lewis Vander - Mild Soreness - Day-to-Day
REG: RB Bobby Brown - Finger Injury - Day-to-Day
REG: DB Madison McGee - Tight Calf - Day-to-Day
TOR: LB Judge Barrett - Minor Bruise - Day-to-Day
WPG: LB Magnus Pearce - Torn Muscle - 6 Weeks
WPG: DL Quinton Hextal - Foot Injury - 2 Weeks
WPG: DL Jordan Mantis - Mild Soreness - Day-to-Day
Players of the Week
OFF: QB Drake Young OTT - 3 Passing Touchdowns, 311 Passing Yards
Young had a near-perfect game as the Royals got off to a strong start with a win over the Mariners
Ellison was dominant on the edge of the Raiders, helping create a defensive score and contain a usually strong Blacksmiths’ offence.
Standings
WEST
Edmonton - 1-0
Winnipeg - 1-0
Vancouver - 1-0
Minnesota - 1-0
Calgary - 0-1
Regina - 0-1
CENTRAL
Toronto - 1-0
Pittsburgh - 0-1
Buffalo - 0-1
Louisville - 0-1
London - 0-1
Indiana - 0-1
EAST
Ottawa - 1-0
Providence - 1-0
Montreal - 1-0
Long Island - 1-0
Boston - 0-1
Halifax - 0-1
Power Rankings
1 - Providence -
2 - Vancouver -
3 - Minnesota +1
4 - Boston -1
5 - Ottawa +1
6 - Montreal +2
7 - Long Island +3
8 - Pittsburgh -3
9 - Louisville -2
10 - Buffalo -1
11 - London -
12 - Toronto +1
13 - Calgary -1
14 - Winnipeg +2
15 - Indiana -1
16 - Halifax +1
17 - Edmonton +1
18 - Regina -3
Week 2 Games
BUF (0-1) @ PRO (1-0) - JUN 29 - 6:00 PM ET - Friday Night Football
REG (0-1) @ VAN (1-0) - JUN 29 - 9:00 PM ET - Friday Night Football
IND (0-1) @ BOS (0-1) - JUN 30 - 12:00 PM ET
MTL (1-0) @ LI (1-0) - JUN 30 - 12:00 PM ET
WPG (1-0) @ MIN (1-0) - JUN 30 - 3:30 PM ET
PIT (0-1) @ LOU (0-1) - JUN 30 - 7:00 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
LDN (0-1) @ TOR (1-0) - JUN 31 - 12:00 PM ET - Canada Day
HFX (0-1) @ EDM (1-0) - JUN 31 - 3:30 PM ET - Canada Day
CGY (0-1) @ OTT (1-0) - JUN 31 - 7:00 PM ET - Canada Day
