1999
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NACFL HISTORY
A year-by-year record of the NACFL, established in 1999
1999
The North American Computer Football League (NACFL) is formed by Eddie Freitas, who becomes our first commissioner. Founding members include many coaches from the recently discontinued ActionPC Football East Coast Football League (ECFL). The new league starts with 18 teams.
The NACFL begins as a draft league in which teams retain their full rosters from year to year. The rules will include a salary/contract system allowing teams to use finite resources to bid for, sign players to contracts of varying lengths- at the end of those contracts the players would be free agents, with the exception of players tagged as “franchise players,” similar to the NFL system.
One of the most-debated issues among the incoming coaches concerns the policy for naming franchises; a proposal to limit team names to those of actual NFL teams is narrowly defeated. Nonetheless, 6 of the inaugural 18 teams adopt NFL team names.
The initial player draft is held- a serpentine-style draft with a randomly selected order;
ROUND 1
1. Portland (coach: Stefan Feuerherdt) (from NYG) – Peyton Manning, QB
2. Montreal (coach: Craig Hale) – Edgerrin James, RB
3. Fresno (coach: Dan Model) – Marshall Faulk, RB
4. NY Giants (coach: Wayne Tomzcewski) (from Portland) – Tim Couch, QB
5. Fairhaven (coach: Eddie Freitas) – Marvin Harrison, WR
6. San Antonio (coach: John Thompson) – Kurt Warner, QB
7. Washington (coach: Tony Abrantes) – Eddie George, RB
8. Hawk Spring (coach: Scott Adams) – Brett Favre, QB
9. New Orleans (coach: Kevin Polson) – Stephen Davis, RB
10. Kansas City (coach: Bill Summers) – Fred Taylor, RB
11. NY Knights (coach: Bob Beardsley) – Curtis Martin, RB
12. Frankford (coach: Dan Petronella) – Jevon Kearse, DE
13. Chandler (coach: Tony Fuoco) – Charles Woodson, CB
14. Pacific (coach: Doug Zuchowski) – Warren Sapp, DT
15. Dallas (coach: Lou Tarnowski) – Mark Brunell, QB
16. Oakland (coach: Bill Howell) – Randy Moss, WR
17. Cleveland (coach: Brian Latonzea) – Steve Beuerlein, QB
18. Minnesota (coach: Brian Morris) – Jimmy Smith, WR
Other notables drafted:
QB Steve McNair – 2nd round (Pacific)
WR Torry Holt – 9th round (Portland)
DE Jason Taylor – 13th round (Hawk Spring)
WR Terrell Owens – 16th round (Cleveland)
QB Jeff Garcia – 21st round (Cleveland)
WR Jerry Rice – 25th round (San Antonio)
DT Tony Siragusa – 29th round (Minnesota)
G Mark Schlereth – 31st round (Frankford)
CB Al Harris – 50th round (Washington)
2000
The NACFL’s inaugural season, with 18 teams. The league’s three divisions are named after former NFL greats Jim Brown, Joe Montana and Walter Payton.
2000 Season Final Standings
Brown Division W L
San Antonio Gunslingers (John Thompson) 11 5
Montreal Monsters (Craig Hale) 10 6
Chandler 49ers (Tony Fuoco) 9 7
Frankford YellowJackets(Dan Petronella) 9 7
Fresno Firebirds (Dan Model) 7 9
Hawk Spring Hurricane (Scott Adams) 6 10
Montana Division W L
Cleveland Gumbys (Brian Latonzea) 11 5
Minnesota Pandas (Brian Morris) 9 7
New York Knights (Bob Beardsley) 9 7
Pacific Polish Rifles (Doug Zuchowski) 8 8
Kansas City Chiefs (Bill Summers) 7 9
Dallas Cowboys (Lou Tarnowski) 3 13
Payton Division W L
New Orleans Saints (Kevin Polson) 11 5
Fairhaven Bulldogs (Eddie Freitas) 9 7
New York Giants (Wayne Tomzcewski) 7 9
Washington Redskins (Tony Abrantes) 7 9
Portland Rain (Stefan Feuerherdt) 7 9
Oakland Raiders (Bill Howell) 4 12
The San Antonio Gunslingers (coach: John Thompson), led by QB Kurt Warner, become the league’s first champions, defeating the New Orleans Saints (coach: Kevin Polson) in the championship game.
Season Notes:
RB Stephen Davis (New Orleans) rushes for 2,059 yards …
2001
The league votes to discontinue its salary/contract rules. In their place, the league adopts a modified player retention provision, wherein teams are allowed to retain only 25 players from one season to the next. Of the 25 retained players, no more than 6 may be “skill position” players. This unique rule, first proposed by founding member and ex-ECFL commissioner Dan Petronella, becomes known as “the 25/6 Rule.”
The league’s first annual 25-round draft is conducted. The first overall pick is offensive tackle Chris Samuels, to Oakland.
The Cleveland Gumbys (coach: Brian LaTonzea) adopt an unorthodox, two-quarterback offense (with QB Kordell Stewart lining up as a RB), and essentially no RB’s on the roster. Cleveland’s QB Jeff Garcia and WR Terrell Owens set numerous passing and receiving records, but the scheme faces a backlash- before the ensuing season, the league would vote in mandatory skill-position roster minimums- known informally as “the Gumby Rule.”
Season Notes: This season provided offensive records that would stand for a long time; Green Bay’s Mike Anderson rushing for 300 yards in one game, Cleveland’s Jeff Garcia throwing for 705 yards in a game and 5,215 yards for the season, and teammate Terrell Owens setting marks for receiving TD’s (36), receiving yards in a game (394) and season (2,068).
2001 Season Final Standings
Brown Division W L
Hawk Spring Hurricane (Scott Adams) 11 5
Green Bay Packers (Ivan Denson) 10 6 (formerly San Antonio)
Montreal Monsters (Craig Hale) 10 6
Tucson 49ers (Tony Disibbio) 7 9 (formerly Chandler)
Fort Wayne Fire (Joel Daas) 3 13 (formerly Fresno)
Frankford Yellow Jackets (Dan Petronella) 1 15
Montana Division W L
Kansas City Chiefs (Bill Summers) 13 3
Minnesota Pandas (Brian Morris) 9 7
Seattle Grunge (Jeff Caldwell) 9 7 (formerly Dallas)
New York Knights (Bob Beardsley) 8 8
Pacific Polish Rifles (Doug Zuchowski) 7 9
Cleveland Gumbys (Brian Latonzea) 5 11
Payton Division W L
Portland Rain (Stefan Feuerherdt) 14 2
Washington Redskins (Tony Abrantes) 11 5
Oakland Raiders (Bill Howell) 10 5
New York Giants (Wayne Tomzcewski) 7 9
New Orleans Saints (Kevin Polson) 6 10
Fairhaven Bulldogs (Eddie Freitas) 3 13
2001 Playoffs
1st Round Washington 26, Green Bay 17
Hawk Spring 31, Oakland 21
Kansas City 42, Montreal 13
Portland 27, Seattle 0
Semi-Finals Kansas City 28, Hawk Spring 7
Portland 24, Washington 12
NAC-Bowl II: Portland 37, Kansas City 23
The Portland Rain (coach: Stefan Feuerherdt) become league champs, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs (coach: Bill Summers) in the final. The game is closer than the score indicates, with only a pair of late, “insurance” field goals providing a cushion for the Rain.
2002
The Cleveland Gumbys, this time with the help of running backs, take the NACFL by storm, running the table for a perfect 16-0 regular season record, and they complete their perfect season with a win in NAC-Bowl III against the Hawk Spring Hurricane (coach: Scott Adams). The Cleveland team is more opportunistic than dominant, but has a knack for pulling out close games and coming from behind when necessary throughout their record-setting season.
2002 Season Final Standings
Brown Division W L
Hawk Spring Hurricane (Scott Adams) 11 5
Montreal Monsters (Craig Hale) 10 6
Pittsburgh Prowlers (Steve Hutson) 8 8 (formerly Green Bay)
Fort Wayne Fire (Joel Daas) 6 10
Denver Broncos (Fred Persch) 5 11 (formerly Tucson)
Frankford Yellow Jackets (Dan Petronella) 4 12
Montana Division W L
Cleveland Gumbys (Brian Latonzea) 16 0
Minnesota Pandas (Brian Morris) 11 5
Pacific Polish Rifles (Doug Zuchowski) 9 7
James River Juggernaut (Mike Carpenter) 8 8 (formerly Seattle)
Kansas City Chiefs (Bill Summers) 7 9
PhiladelphiaSwampthings(Mike McGeehan) 3 13 (formerly NYK)
Payton Division W L
Portland Rain (Stefan Feuerherdt) 13 3
Fairhaven Bulldogs (Eddie Freitas) 12 4
New York Giants (Wayne Tomzcewski) 7 9
Oakland Raiders (Bill Howell) 5 11
New Orleans Saints (Kevin Polson) 4 12
Washington Redskins (Tony Abrantes) 3 13
2002 Playoffs
1st Round Cleveland def. James River
Portland def. Montreal
Hawk Spring def. Pacific
Fairhaven def. Minnesota
Semi-Finals Cleveland def. Fairhaven
Hawk Spring def. Portland
NAC-Bowl III: Cleveland def. Hawk Spring
2003
The NACFL expands to 20 teams for its fourth season of play.
Three existing franchises, New Orleans, Ft. Wayne and Pittsburgh, are folded and added to the pool of available players for five new expansion teams. A fourth division, named for former NFL great Johnny Unitas, is added, while the Montana division is renamed for another storied NFL quarterback, John Elway.
The Portland Rain follows Cleveland’s perfect season with one of its own. Led by a dominant, record-setting defense, the Rain’s average margin of victory is a staggering 29 points per game. In the Playoffs, Portland’s defense allows only 10 points total in three games, while the Rain offense at one point grinds out a record-setting 17-minute drive.
Season notes: Jacksonville teammates Marc Bulger and Donovan McNabb finish 1st and 2nd , respectively, among quarterbacks in efficiency rating.
2003 Season Final Standings
Brown Division W L T
Hawk Spring Hurricane (Scott Adams) 12 4
Oakland Raiders (Bill Howell) 9 6 1
Washington Redskins (Tony Abrantes) 9 7
Montreal Monsters (Craig Hale) 9 7
Cos Cob Cosa Nostra (Rob Latorre) 2 14 (expansion/dispersal)
Elway Division W L T
Denver Broncos (Fred Persch) 12 4
Frankford Yellow Jackets (Dan Petronella) 6 10
Cleveland Gumbys (Brian Latonzea) 4 11 1
Abercrombie Zombies (Jason Strand) 4 12 (expansion/dispersal)
Mackinaw Island Mud Dogs(Gary Wandzel) 2 14 (expansion/dispersal)
Payton Division W L
Fairhaven Bulldogs (Eddie Freitas) 12 4
Minnesota Pandas (Brian Morris) 9 7
James River Juggernaut (Mike Carpenter) 9 7
Florida State Seminoles (Steve Hart) 7 9 (formrly Philadelphia)
Kansas City Chiefs (Bill Summers) 6 10
Unitas Division W L
Portland Rain (Stefan Feuerherdt) 16 0
Jacksonville Jaguars (R.Glazer/David Hart) 13 3 (formerly Pacific)
New York Giants (Wayne Tomzcewski) 7 9
Golden State Pharoas (Clay Jackson) 7 9 (expansion/dispersal)
Saginaw Stampede (Ed Lynes) 3 13 (expansion/dispersal)
2003 Playoffs
1st Round Portland 24, James River 7
Washington def. Denver
Fairhaven def. Minnesota
Jacksonville def. Hawk Spring
Semi-Finals Portland 40, Washington 0
Fairhaven def. Jacksonville
NAC-Bowl IV- Portland 17, Fairhaven 3
The Rain cap the league’s second perfect 19-0 season with a low-scoring win over the Fairhaven Bulldogs (coach: Eddie Freitas). As during the season, the Rain defense was dominant- Fairhaven never advanced the ball inside the Rain 29 yard line.
2004
The Portland Rain are again undefeated in the regular season, but the Oakland Raiders (coach: Bill Howell) are right on their heels. The Raiders, fueled by a deadly QB Daunte Culpepper-to-WR Randy Moss connection, finish 15-1 and set league scoring records in the process.
Season notes: An odd weather pattern becomes a factor, as over the league’s first five weeks, almost every outdoor league game is played in the rain.
Playoffs: The odds-makers are thrown into disarray when 3 of the 4 top seeds, including powerhouse Oakland, are upset in the first round. The fourth, Portland, barely survives with a come-from-behind win.
2004 Season Final Standings
Brown Division W L
Oakland Raiders (Bill Howell) 15 1
Montreal Monsters (Craig Hale) 11 5
New England Patriots (Tony Abrantes) 10 6 (renamed: was Washington)
New York Clippers (Scott Blanchette) 6 10 (formerly Denver)
Chatham Cougers (Rob Latorre) 2 14 (renamed: was Cos Cob)
Elway Division W L
Frankford Yellow Jackets (Dan Petronella) 12 4
Annandale Atoms (Jamie Chagnon) 11 5 (formerly Cleveland)
Ohio State Buckeyes (Tony Glazer) 5 11 (formerly Mackinaw)
Abercrombie Zombies (Jason Strand) 3 13
Lynchburg Lightning (Richie Waggoner) 5 11 (formerly Golden State)
Payton Division W L
Minnesota Pandas (Brian Morris) 10 6
Savannah Scorpions (Steve Hart) 8 8 (renamed: was Florida State)
Kansas City Chiefs (Bill Summers) 7 9
James River Juggernaut (Mike Carpenter) 7 9
Fairhaven Bulldogs (Eddie Freitas) 6 10
Unitas Division W L
Portland Rain (Stefan Feuerherdt) 16 0
Saginaw Stampede (Ed Lynes) 10 6
Beach City Bombers (Chris Sims) 7 9 (formerly Hawk Spring)
Jacksonville Jaguars (Ryan Glazer) 5 11
New York Giants (Wayne Tomzcewski) 4 12
2004 Playoffs
1st Round Annandale 28, Frankford 20
Montreal 17, Minnesota 10
Portland 39, New England 36
Saginaw 30, Oakland 20
Semi-Finals Montreal 40, Annandale 27
Portland 42, Saginaw 17
NAC BOWL V- Portland 23, Montreal 20 (OT)
The Portland Rain and Montreal Monsters (owner: Craig Hale; guest coach: Mike Carpenter) battle to the wire. With a minute left in the game, Montreal drives for the tying TD behind the passing of Steve McNair. On the ensuing drive, Portland inadvertently lets the clock run out on a potential winning FG attempt, setting the stage for the league’s first overtime championship game. Portland QB Peyton Manning passes the Rain into FG territory on their first OT drive, however, and Portland prevails, 23-20.
2005
Eddie Freitas steps down as commissioner, replaced by Stefan Feuerherdt. Divisions undergo significant realignment based on friend/rivalries and coaches’ availability, designed to increase opportunities for online play. The Elway Division is renamed in honor of former NFL tight end/soldier/hero Pat Tillman.
The “Member Bonus Points” program is introduced to give coaches incentives/rewards for online play and league participation
During the season, the Savannah Scorpions (coach: Steve Hart) set game scoring records by pounding the hapless Kaua’i Surf, 91-3. The Surf would later narrowly avoid becoming the league’s first-ever winless team, by winning in the final week of the season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Fairhaven Bulldogs (coach: Eddie Freitas) set records of their own by recording 14 sacks and holding the Lee County Lightning to 54 total yards in their game.
In the playoffs semi-finals, James River (coach: Mike Carpenter) advances to its first championship game with “The Drive”- down six points and with no timeouts, the Juggernaut took control at their own 9 yard line with only 46 seconds remaining. QB Drew Brees threw six times on the ensuing drive, completing four- the last being a 22-yard touchdown strike on the game’s final play to stun Hawk Spring.
2005 Season Final Standings
Brown Division W L
James River Juggernaut (Mike Carpenter) 14 2
Lynchburg Lightning (Richie Waggoner) 10 6
Montreal Monsters (Craig Hale) 8 8
Annandale Atoms (Jamie Chagnon) 6 10
Frankford Yellow Jackets (Dan Petronella) 5 11
Payton Division W L
Oakland Raiders (Bill Howell) 11 5
Kansas City Chiefs (Bill Summers) 9 7
Abercrombie Zombies (Jason Strand) 8 8
Bliss Street Blues(Jon Harding) 4 12 (formerly Chatham)
Saginaw Stampede (Ed Lynes) 2 14
Tillman Division W L
Hawk Spring Hurricane (Scott Adams) 13 3 (formerly New England)
Savannah Scorpions (Steve Hart) 12 4 (formerly Beach City)*
Ohio State Buckeyes (Tony Glazer) 10 6
Jacksonville Jaguars (Ryan Glazer) 7 9
Kaua’i Surf (Stan Pietruska) 1 15 (formerly NY Clippers)
Unitas Division W L
Portland Rain (Stefan Feuerherdt) 16 0
Fairhaven Bulldogs (Eddie Freitas) 9 7
Minnesota Pandas (Brian Morris) 8 8
New York Giants (Wayne Tomzcewski) 4 12
Lee County Lightning (Mark Sanner) 2 14 (formerly Savannah)*
*Savannah coach Steve Hart left league, but returned in same offseason. Previous Savannah team vacancy was filled in the interim, so Hart filled Beach City vacancy.
2005 Playoffs
1st Round Portland 40, Fairhaven 9
Hawk Spring 24, Ohio State 20
Savannah 27, Oakland 20
James River 27, Lynchburg 6
Semi-Finals James River 26, Hawk Spring 24
Portland 31, Savannah 6
NAC-Bowl VI- Portland 44, James River 8
James River powered to a 14-2 record during the season, behind a power running game and stiff defense. But defending-champ Portland comes out swinging for the fences, scoring early through the air, and four Juggernaut turnovers on six fumbles turn what might otherwise have been a competitive game into a rout.
2006
The league expands to 22 teams for its seventh season of play. Two existing franchises (Minnesota and Abercrombie) are folded, and their players placed in the pool of available players for 4 new expansion teams (Boston, Staten Island, Las Vegas and Winnemucca).
League injury rules are revamped to require carryover of multi-game injuries. Previously, injuries were limited to the balance of the game in which the player was hurt.
Year of the Flakeout? Rough season for coaches, as more than usual resigned or disappeared. By year’s end, a half-dozen teams were vacant, including a couple of playoff contenders (which prompted rules changes the following off-season to exclude vacant squads from playoff games). In one bizarre incident, a coach, miffed by his opponent’s playcalling, walked off the sidelines early in the 3rd quarter of his online game, never to be seen again. Overall, 41% of regular season games are played online.
Underlying some of the departures is a running theme: the growing lack of parity in the league, resentment for which comes to a head during lopsided games, review of disallowed lopsided trades, etc. Before the season began, a proposal to redraft the entire league from scratch was barely defeated. Many differing opinions on how to regain competitive balance are voiced- all agree something has to be done.
As the season ends, with record vacancies and unrest among those remaining, the NACFL is at an unstable crossroads.
Meanwhile, on the field, the Kapa’a Surf (coach: Stan Pietruska) complete a record turnaround- 1-15 (as Kauai) the year before, the Surf run away with their division after a league-record +13-win improvement. In the playoffs, however, Kapa’a would fall to the again-dominant Hawk Spring Hurricane, which advances to its second championship game.
Notes: RB Shaun Alexander rushes for a league-record 2,118 yards and 39 touchdowns en route to his 3rd league MVP trophy.
2006 Season Final Standings
Brown Division W L
Montreal Monsters (Craig Hale) 12 4
Annandale Atoms (Jamie Chagnon) 9 7
James River Juggernaut (Mike Carpenter) 8 8
Frankford Yellow Jackets (Dan Petronella) 7 9
Roanoke Valley Violators (R.Waggoner) 6 10 (renamed: was Lynchburg)
Payton Division W L
Hawk Spring Hurricane (Scott Adams) 14 2
Saginaw Stampede (Ed Lynes) 11 5
Kansas City Chiefs (Bill Summers) 6 10
Oakland Raiders (Bill Howell) 6 10
Bliss Street Blues (Jon Harding) 4 12
Winnemucca Outlaws (Pierce Roberts) 3 13 (expansion/dispersal)
Tillman Division W L
Kapa’a Surf (Stan Pietruska) 14 2 (renamed: was Kauai)
Savannah Scorpions (Steve Hart) 12 4
Salem Sewer Rats (Bill Keller) 10 6 (formerly Ohio State)
Baltimore Colts (Bill Levinson) 6 10 (formerly Jacksonville)
Las Vegas Gamblers (Jim Bessinger) 5 11 (expansion/dispersal)
Boston Patriots (Mike Tuttle) 2 14 (expansion/dispersal)
Unitas Division W L
Portland Rain (Stefan Feuerherdt) 16 0
Fairhaven Bulldogs (Eddie Freitas) 9 7
Fort Myers Mayhem (Mark Sanner) 8 8 (renamed: was Lee County)
New York Giants (Wayne Tomzcewski) 4 12
Staten Island Seawolves (Robert Smith) 2 14 (expansion/dispersal)
2006 Playoffs
1st Round Portland 42, Salem 18
Hawk Spring 37, Fairhaven 14
Kapa’a 28, Saginaw 7
Savannah 26, Montreal 14
Semi-Finals Portland 49, Savannah 24
Hawk Spring 20, Kapa’a 16
NAC-Bowl VII- Portland 28, Hawk Spring 17
The Rain cap an incredible fourth straight undefeated season, ironically against the Hurricane, the last team to beat Portland (in the 2002 playoffs, when Hawk Spring advanced to its first title game). Fittingly enough given the two teams’ nicknames, this is the first Nac-Bowl to be played in the rain.
2007
The NACFL institutes its most sweeping changes since the league was formed.
Addressing concerns for maintaining competitive balance, the league decides, after long, contentious debate on alternatives, to institute a salary cap based on APC player salaries. Further, the league votes to partially redraft its teams from scratch (every team is allowed to keep 10 players, including no more than 3 “skill position” players), so as to provide a “fresh start” to struggling franchises. The “25/6” keeper rule is abolished.
Given the sweeping nature of this year’s “fresh start” player draft, the draft order is established based not on the previous season’s records, but rather on a weighted average of each teams’ cumulative records over the course of the previous three league seasons.
Some strayed coaches from previous seasons are brought back into the league to promote stability. Moreover, recruiting efforts garner encouraging results. With coaching ranks meshing well and new rules implementing smoothly, the NACFL appears to have turned a corner. Increased emphasis on online play continues, as a record 76% of regular season games are played online.
Playoffs: The Saginaw Stampede (coach: Ed Lynes) battled the James River Juggernaut in a tight semi-final contest. James River seemed poised to pull out another come-from-behind victory, moving into FG range in the final minute of a tie game, but a disastrous “red zone” fumble is upheld by replay review, and the game moves to overtime, where Saginaw finally breaks through to advance to its first championship game.
2007 Season Final Standings
Brown Division W L
James River Juggernaut (Mike Carpenter) 14 2
Montreal Monsters (Craig Hale) 8 8
Frankford Yellow Jackets (Dan Petronella) 7 9
Shenandoah Vly Stonewallers(B.Laubscher) 6 10 (formerly Salem)
Sin City Spice (Jamie Chagnon) 6 10 (formerly Las Vegas)
Roanoke Vly Violators (Richie Waggoner) 2 14
Payton Division W L
Saginaw Stampede (Ed Lynes) 12 4
Oakland Raiders (Bill Howell) 11 5
Bliss Street Blues (J.Harding, Nate Jervey) 9 7 (new owner mid-season)
Hawk Spring Hurricane (Scott Adams) 9 7
Bethany Beach Breakers (Bill Galanis) 7 9 (formerly Winnemucca)
Kansas City Chiefs (Bryan Ferrante) 2 14 (new owner)
Tillman Division W L
Gorham Rams (Rene Custeau) 10 6 (formerly Boston)
Savannah Scorpions (Steve Hart) 10 6
Melbourne (Steve Nieroda) 9 7 (formerly Annandale)
Baltimore Colts (Bill Levinson) 9 7
Kapa’a Surf (Stan Pietruska) 4 12
Unitas Division W L
Portland Rain (Stefan Feuerherdt) 16 0
Staten Island Seawolves (Robert Smith) 10 6
Fairhaven Bulldogs (Eddie Freitas) 8 8
Fort Myers Mayhem (Mark Sanner) 5 11
New York Giants (Wayne Tomzcewski) 4 12
2007 Playoffs
1st Round Savannah 37, Staten Island 14
Saginaw 51, Gorham 27
James River 52, Bliss Street 28
Portland 29, Fairhaven 15
Semi-Finals Saginaw 31, James River 28 (OT)
Portland 51, Savannah 28
NAC-Bowl VIII- Portland 28, Saginaw 16
Overcoming the preseason rule and roster changes, the Rain complete a surreal fifth consecutive undefeated season with a win over the Stampede. Portland prevails despite five turnovers forced by the relentless and risk-taking Stampede defense, which led the league in takeaways during the regular season and playoffs.
2008
Eddie Freitas takes back over as commissioner. New playing rules mirror the NFL on maximum roster size (53), active players on game day (45), and adding an “injured reserve” option.
Tragedy strikes the league at mid-season, with the sudden death of Bethany Beach Breakers coach Bill Galanis. Bill had quickly gained popularity in his short time in the league for his sportsmanship and professionalism, so his passing is a sobering blow.
2008 becomes the Year of the Rookie: Four first-year coaches reach the playoffs. The two coaches that meet in the final- Roberto Tosco of Turin and Todd Hopkins of St. Peters- become the first rookie coaches to advance to the championship game since the league’s inaugural season.
Yet another rookie, coach Steve Richmond of the Philadelphia Fire, finally ends the Portland Rain’s record winning streak at 98 games. To promote league parity, the Portland team is further dismantled in the pre-season, and sits out the playoff season.
Saginaw looks like the league’s top team to start the season, finishing the first half 7-1. But an injury to eventual league MVP QB Matt Schaub sends the Stampede into a tailspin. Saginaw drops seven of its last eight games and misses the playoffs.
Game improvements and league emphasis continue to increase the number of games played online- 88% for the season.
At the end of the season, founding commissioner Eddie Freitas and founding member Dan Petronella leave the league. Stefan Feuerherdt steps in as interim commissioner.
2008 Season Final Standings
Brown Division W L
James River Juggernaut (Mike Carpenter) 12 4
Sin City Spice (Jamie Chagnon) 10 6
Shenandoah Vly Stonewallers(B.Laubscher) 9 7
Frankford Yellow Jackets (Dan Petronella) 7 9
Montreal Monsters (Craig Hale) 5 11
Roanoke Vly Violators (Richie Waggoner) 5 11
Payton Division W L
Turin Bulls (Roberto Tosco) 11 5 (formerly Kapa’a)
St. Peters Lions (Todd Hopkins) 11 5 (formerly Baltimore)
Bethany Beach Breakers (Bill Galanis) 10 6
Saginaw Stampede (Ed Lynes) 8 8
Bliss Street Blues (Nate Jervey) 6 10
Maine Event (Bryan Ferrante) 5 11 (renamed: was Kansas City)
Tillman Division W L
Sacramento Surge (Larry Reeves) 9 7 (formerly Oakland)
Mt. Sinai Mad Dogs (Brian Macri) 9 7 (formerly Hawk Spring)
Gorham Rams (Rene Custeau) 8 8
Melbourne (Steve Nieroda) 7 9
Savannah Scorpions (Steve Hart) 5 11
Unitas Division W L
Portland Rain (Stefan Feuerherdt) 13 3
Philadelphia Fire (Steve Richmond) 8 8 (formerly Ft. Myers)
Fairhaven Bulldogs (Eddie Freitas) 6 10
New York Giants (Wayne Tomzcewski) 6 10
Staten Island Seawolves (Robert Smith) 6 10
2008 Playoffs
1st Round Bethany Beach 26, Mt.Sinai 12
Turin 37, Shenandoah Valley 22
St.Peters 24, Sin City 10
James River 22, Sacramento 7
Semi-Finals Turin 32, Bethany Beach 17
St.Peters 20, James River 10
NAC-Bowl IX: Turin 20, St. Peters 14
The Turin Bulls (coach: Roberto Tosco) defeat division rival St. Peters (coach: Todd Hopkins) in a close game. St. Peters lost QB Donovan McNabb to injury early in the game, and the efficient Bulls methodically built up a 20-7 lead. Lions’ backup John Beck led a late scoring drive to close the gap, but there would be no fairytale finish. Turin becomes the first team to hoist the league trophy in their inaugural NACFL season. The Bulls of Italy also become the first champion to display that trophy beyond U.S. soil.
2009
For its tenth season of play, the league expands to 24 teams. Three existing franchises (Fairhaven, Frankford and Bethany Beach) are folded, and their players added to the pool of available players for five new expansion teams- Cleveland, Florida, Tampa Bay, Houston and Seattle. The number of divisions is expanded to six, with the new divisions named after the NFL’s legendary coach Don Shula and running back/soldier/hero Rocky Bleier.
Steve Hart takes the helm as the league’s third commissioner.
The New York Football Giants (coach: Wayne Tomczewski), one of the league’s original franchises, breaks through to post its first-ever winning season.
The expansion Tampa Bay Renegades become the first 0-16 team in league history.
Defending champ Turin (coach: Roberto Tosco), its roster depleted by injury and with QB Shaun Hill behind center, find a way to return to the title game, by virtue of a dramatic last-second win over Savannah in the semi-finals. Down by six and on fourth-and-long, the Bulls score on a 26-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds remaining.
In Nac-Bowl X, however, the defending champs find a hungry Saginaw team waiting. With a stifling defense and the memory of last season’s regular season collapse fresh on their minds, the Stampede have a chip on their shoulders, and take it out on the Bulls in the “Rodeo Bowl.”
2009 Season Final Standings
Brown Division W L
Shenandoah Valley (Brian.Laubscher) 11 5
James River Juggernaut (Mike Carpenter) 10 6
Roanoke Vly Violators (Richie Waggoner) 8 8
Sin City Spice (Jamie Chagnon) 4 12
Payton Division W L
Saginaw Stampede (Ed Lynes) 12 4
Houston Gamblers (Richard Caldwell) 6 10 (expansion team)
Cleveland Browns (Jeff Wearstler) 4 12 (expansion team)
St. Peters Lions (Todd Hopkins) 3 13
Tillman Division W L
Savannah Scorpions (Steve Hart) 13 3
Mt. Sinai Mad Dogs (Brian Macri) 11 5
Melbourne Marauders (Steve Nieroda) 9 7
Sacramento Surge (Larry Reeves) 5 11
Unitas Division W L
Montreal Monsters (Craig Hale) 10 6
Staten Island Seawolves (Robert Smith) 8 8
Portland Rain (Kurt Schaden) 7 9
Seattle Pioneers (Scott Lamberson) 6 10 (expansion team)
Shula Division W L
Philadelphia Fire (Steve Richmond) 13 3
Turin Bulls (Roberto Tosco) 12 4
New York Giants (Wayne Tomzcewski) 9 7
Bliss Street Blues (Nate Jervey) 3 13
Bleier Division W L
Florida Swampdogs (Bill Dearing) 10 6 (expansion team)
Gorham Rams (Rene Custeau) 9 7
Maine Event (Bryan Ferrante) 9 7
Tampa Bay Renegades (Dody Doten) 0 16 (expansion team)
2009 Playoffs
Wildcard Round Divisional Round Semi-Finals
Turin 28, Melbourne 21 Savannah 31, Mt.Sinai 17 Turin 27, Savannah 26
Mt. Sinai 24, James River 13 Turin 23, Philadelphia 16 Saginaw 27, Shenandoah 24
Montreal 38, Gorham 24 Saginaw 28, Montreal 14
Florida 31, Maine 23 Shenandoah 40, Florida 34
NAC-Bowl X: Saginaw 31, Turin 10
The Stampede bull their way through to their first title, behind a relentless defense and the MVP play of QB Matt Schaub. Crafty defending champ Turin stayed close for one half, but Saginaw pulled away decisively after that.
2010
In the pre-season, long-time member and perennial contender Mike Carpenter (James River) retires, but leaves the building blocks in place for another division title. The league suffers another blow when Roberto Tosco (Turin) also decides to leave, after playing in the title game for each of his two years in the league.
Stefan Feuerherdt takes back over as commissioner.
The St.Paul Pioneers (coach: Izzy Perez) drop their opener to Tampa Bay, giving the Renegades their only win of the season. Weeks later, the Pioneers defeat Portland, giving the Rain their only loss of the season.
Tampa Bay cements its legacy as the NACFL’s most hapless franchise, winning only 1 game in two years.
For the season, 86% of all games are played online.
On the flip side, new Roanoke coach Jeff Beyel takes over a struggling franchise at mid-season and guides them to seven wins in their final eight games, earning a playoff berth in the final week of the regular season.
Mount Sinai (coach: Brian Macri) barrels its way to a 13-3 record and a division title, behind a potent defense and aerial attack featuring record-setting performances from Kurt Warner (in his last hurrah) and wideouts Wes Welker and Hines Ward, who set a mark for receiving tandems with 115 and 112 catches, respectively. The Mad Dogs would be haunted by division rival Savannah, however: in the regular season and playoffs, Mt. Sinai lost only 4 games- three of those were to the Scorpions.
In the playoffs, Savannah (coach: Steve Hart) is all about the drama: In consecutive weeks, the Scorpions best division rival Mt. Sinai in a game decided by a failed two-point conversion in the game’s final minute, and then drop a one-point heartbreaker in Portland on a last-minute touchdown. This is the second consecutive year in which Savannah surrendered a last-minute touchdown to fall one point short of reaching its first title game.
NacBowl XI features a “battle of champions”- participants Saginaw and Portland are the only two current league teams that have won previous NACFL titles. This title game also features the first “rematch” of participants, as these teams squared off previously in NacBowl VIII.
2010 Season Final Standings
Brown Division W L
South Elgin Bandits (Kurt Schaden) 10 6 (formerly James River)
Roanoke Valley Violators (Jeff Beyel) 9 7
Sin City Spice (Jamie Chagnon) 6 10
Shenandoah Valley (Brian.Laubscher) 3 13
Payton Division W L
Saginaw Stampede (Ed Lynes) 14 2
Houston Gamblers (Pete Katsanafas) 8 8
Langson Dragons (Brendan McCormick) 7 9 (formerly Cleveland)
St. Peters Lions (Todd Hopkins) 2 14
Tillman Division W L
Mt. Sinai Mad Dogs (Brian Macri) 13 3
Savannah Scorpions (Steve Hart) 12 4
Melbourne Marauders (Steve Nieroda) 9 7
Sacramento Surge (Larry Reeves) 5 11
Unitas Division W L
Portland Rain (Stefan Feuerherdt) 15 1
Buffalo Bulls (Dave Luksch) 9 7 (formerly Staten Island)
Montreal Monsters (Craig Hale) 4 12
Rancho Cordova (Robert Haefner) 4 12 (formerly Cleveland)
Shula Division W L
Bliss Street Blues (Nate Jervey) 10 6
St. Paul Pioneers (Izzy Perez) 10 6 (formerly Turin)
Philadelphia Fire (Steve Richmond) 7 9
New York Giants (Wayne Tomzcewski) 5 11
Bleier Division W L
Gorham Rams (Rene Custeau) 11 5
Maine Event (Bryan Ferrante) 10 6
New England Chowderheads(Nick Ferrante) 7 9 (formerly Florida)
Tampa Bay Renegades (Dody Doten) 1 15
2010 Playoffs
Wildcard Round Divisional Round Semi-Finals
Gorham 30, Buffalo 14 Portland 30, Roanoke 17 Saginaw 24, South Elgin 10
Roanoke 31, St.Paul 20 Saginaw 23, Maine 13 Portland 34, Savannah 33
Savannah 30, Melbourne 14 Savannah 32, Mt.Sinai 30
Maine 28, Bliss Street 23 South Elgin 34, Gorham 12
NAC-Bowl XI: Portland 24, Saginaw 12
The Rain pour it on early, pull out to a big lead, then hang on for a wild final three minutes as the Stampede score twice, recover two onside kicks, and almost score a third time before the clock runs out.
2011
Returning coach Gary Wandzel transforms the hapless Tampa Bay franchise into the Tri-City Revolution, and begins the rebuilding process.
The St. Peters Lions (coach: Todd Hopkins) come out roaring, and with the improbable 1-2 punch of QB Chad Henne and RB Danny Woodhead, reach midseason as one of the league’s best teams. But overusage problems derail the team, and it spirals to an 8-8 finish. That’s good enough for a playoff berth, though, and the rejuvenated Lions win their first playoff game since their NacBowl run 4 years ago.
Defending champ Portland has a strong year behind breakout star RB Arian Foster, who rushes for over 2,000 yards, and sets the league mark for season yards from scrimmage (2,569) en route to league MVP honors.
For the season, 85% of all games are played online.
The Brown Division crown isn’t settled until the final play of the regular season, when Shenandoah Valley (coach: Brian Laubscher) edges South Elgin (coach: Kurt Schaden) on a last-second FG. For 13-3 Shenandoah, the win caps a major turnaround from its 3-13 season a year ago.
After consecutive postseason losses in the final minute, the Savannah Scorpions turn the tables and defeat their first-round playoff foe, the Langson Dragons, 26-24, on a FG as time expired.
Top-seeded Saginaw’s imposing defense takes a hit during its close semi-final win against upstart Vero Beach (coach: Russ Lemmon), losing Pro-Bowl CB Darrell Revis, others, for the championship game.
2011 Season Final Standings
Brown Division W L
Shenandoah Valley (Brian Laubscher) 13 3
South Elgin Bandits (Kurt Schaden) 11 5
Vero Beach Vortex (Russ Lemmon) 8 8 (formerly Sin City)
Camden Greys (Jeff Beyel) 7 9 (renamed: was Roanoke)
Payton Division W L
Saginaw Stampede (Ed Lynes) 14 2
St. Peters Lions (Todd Hopkins) 8 8
Langson Dragons (Brendan McCormick) 7 9
Houston Gamblers (Pete Katsanafas) 7 9
Tillman Division W L
Savannah Scorpions (Steve Hart) 12 4
Sacramento Surge (Larry Reeves) 9 7
Melbourne Marauders (Steve Nieroda) 7 9
Mt. Sinai Mad Dogs (Brian Macri) 7 9
Unitas Division W L
Portland Rain (Stefan Feuerherdt) 13 3
Rancho Cordova (Robert Haefner) 10 6
Buffalo Bulls (Dave Luksch) 4 12
Montreal Monsters (Craig Hale) 1 15
Shula Division W L
Bliss Street Blues (Nate Jervey) 11 5
St. Paul Pioneers (Izzy Perez) 7 9
Philadelphia Fire (Ryan Kendall) 6 10 (new owner)
New York Giants (Wayne Tomzcewski) 3 13
Bleier Division W L
Maine Event (Bryan Ferrante) 12 4
Gorham Rams (Rene Custeau) 7 9
Tri-City Revolution (Gary Wandzel) 5 11 (formerly Tampa Bay)
New England Chowderheads(Nick Ferrante) 4 12
2011 Playoffs
Wildcard Round Divisional Round Semi-Finals
RnchoCordova 23, Sac. 20 Portland 33, RnchoCrdva10 Saginaw 31, Vero Beach 25
Vero Beach 37, S.Elgin 20 Saginaw 26, St.Peters 0 Portland 33, Savannah 14
Savannah 26, Langson 24 Savannah 34, Maine 24
St.Peters 38, Bliss Street30 Vero Beach 30, Shndoah 12
NAC-Bowl XII: Portland 45, Saginaw 21
In a rematch from last year’s championship game (and the third time these teams have faced each other in the final), Portland’s Peyton Manning and Arian Foster (3 TD’s each) wear down an injury-depleted Saginaw defense, and pull away after a close first half.
2012
The league votes to encourage and give incentive to contribute to the administration of the league. Changes to the league’s “bonus points” program now include a separate category of points to reward taking on league tasks like running drafts, maintaining the league webpage, and contributing articles to league newsletters. The league also raises the level of online play commitment expected of coaches during the season.
Commissioner and founding league member Stefan Feuerherdt leaves the league. In eleven seasons, Stefan’s Portland Rain amassed 8 league crowns. Five of those championships, from 2003-2007, capped consecutive “perfect” seasons during which the Rain won a surreal 98 straight games.
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