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North Pacific Football League

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North Pacific Football League
SportFootball
Founded1963
Ceased1966
Claim to fameThe 2nd football league to operate teams in both the United States and Canada
No. of teamsVaried (4 to 10)
CountryUnited States
Canada
Last
champion(s)		Seattle Ramblers
Most titlesEdmonds Warriors (2)
Related
competitions		Continental Football League

The North Pacific Football League is the collaboration name for two separate but related minor American football leagues - the Pacific Football League and Northern California League - that operated in the Pacific Northwest region, between 1963 and 1966. The leagues published combined all-star team every year, but there was no inter-league or playoff play, except the 1966 season, when both league champions played for the "Pacific Coast Championship".[1]

The leagues supplied five of the seven members of the Continental Football League "Pacific Division", resulting in leagues disbandment after the 1966 season. It was the second football league (after the United Football League) to operate teams in both the United States and Canada.[2][3]

History

[edit]

The Pacific Football League had a special "8-Point rule", stated that if a team was trailing by eight or more points, they could receive a kickoff from their opponent rather than kickoff. The league commissioner was former Hollywood Stars player Joe Huston with involvement of Frank Leahy Jr. during the 1966 season.[4]

The North Pacific Football League featured some notable names, including former Washington Redskins WR Hugh Smith, future Oakland Raiders Chon Gallegos (1965 NCL MVP), Grey Cup champion Pete Ohler, Kermit Jorgensen (two-time league MVP), former Oregon Ducks stars Mike Brundage and Paul Burleson, Raye Renfro and future Humboldt State Lumberjacks football head coach Mike Dolby.

After the 1966 season Eugene Bombers,[5] Sacramento Lancers, San Jose Apaches, Seattle Ramblers[6][7] and Victoria Steelers [8] joined the newly formed Continental Football League "Pacific Division". Portland Thunderbirds declined an opportunity to join the CoFL due to financial concerns.[1]

1963

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North Pacific Football League
Team W L T Pct. PF PA Notes
Tacoma Tyees 8 0 0 1.000 163 83 Declared Champions[9]
Edmonds Warriors 3 5 0 .375 100 116
Portland Thunderbirds 2 5 0 .285 104 96
Seattle Ramblers 2 5 0 .285 54 127

1964

[edit]

The Bellingham Jets dropped out of the league mid-season and forfeited the last four games.[10]

North Pacific Football League
Team W L T Pct. PF PA Notes
Edmonds Warriors 10 0 0 1.000 265 42 Declared Champions[11]
Tacoma Tyees 7 3 0 .700 240 82
Portland Thunderbirds 6 3 0 .667 189 134
Forth Lewis Rangers[12] 6 4 0 .600 193 99
Seattle Ramblers 2 6 0 .250 40 157
Spokane Volunteers[13] 1 8 0 .111 20 312
Bellingham Jets 0 8 0 .000 20 134 Folded

1965

[edit]

It was the first year that two leagues coexist. Edmonds Warriors finished first in the PFL and San Jose Apaches won NCL title after beating Redwood City Ramblers in the league final. Kermit Jorgensen (RB, Edmonds) and Chon Gallegos (QB, San Jose) won their respective league MVP titles.[1] Frank Leahy Jr., son of the former Notre Dame coach, was appointed head coach for Lake Oswego Thunderbirds.

The North Pacific Football League changed its name to Northwest International Football League after adding Canada's Vancouver Kats. Alas, the Kats disbanded mid-season failing to score in any league games, became Rugby club and forfeited the last four games.[2]

Northwest International Football League
Team W L T Pct. PF PA Notes
Edmonds Warriors 9 0 0 1.000 238 46 Declared Champions[11]
Lake Oswego Thunderbirds 6 3 0 .667 227 87
Tacoma Tyees 3 6 0 .333 53 167
Vancouver Kats 0 9 0 .000 0 216 Disbanded
Northern California League
Team W L T Pct. PF PA
San Jose Apaches 9 1 0 .900 271 65
Redwood City Ramblers 9 1 0 .900 298 90
Sacramento Lancers 5 5 0 .500 161 197
Oroville Beavers 2 7 1 .250 118 201
Hayward Hawks 2 7 1 .250 171 286
Eureka Foresters 2 8 0 .200 130 312

NCL Championship Game: San Jose 7, Redwood City 6

1966

[edit]

Portland Thunderbirds signed a working agreement with the Denver Broncos for players development.[14]

Pacific Football League
Team W L T Pct. PF PA Notes
Seattle Ramblers 9 0 0 1.000 216 60 Declared Champions*
Eugene Bombers 7 3 0 .778 271 153
Portland Thunderbirds 4 5 0 .444 133 135
Tacoma Tyees 2 6 1 .250 95 214
Edmonds Warriors 2 6 1 .250 120 143
Victoria Steelers 2 7 0 .222 132 237

* The Bombers chose not to play the 1966 PFL playoffs due to financial concerns.[15]

Northern California League
Team W L T Pct. PF PA Notes
San Jose Apaches 12 0 0 1.000 238 46 Declared Champions
Hayward Hawks 6 3 0 .667 227 87
Sacramento Lancers 3 6 0 .333 53 167
Oroville Beavers 0 9 0 .000 0 216

Pacific Coast Championship Game
Pacific Football League vs. Northern California League
Seattle Ramblers 48, San Jose Apaches 13
Kermit Jorgensen (RB, Seattle) won the Northern Pacific Football League MVP title.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Bob Gill, with Tod Maher. Outsiders II: Minor League And Independent Football, 1951-1985, p. vii. St. Johann Press, 2010. ISBN 1878282654
  2. ^ a b "Vancouver Kats (1965)".
  3. ^ "Victoria Steelers (1966) Steelers/Tyees 1967)".
  4. ^ "Pacific Football League (1966)".
  5. ^ "1966-1967 Eugene Bombers". 28 June 2014.
  6. ^ "1967-1969 Seattle Rangers". 21 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Seattle Ramblers (1966) Seattle Rangers (1967 - 1969)".
  8. ^ "1967 Victoria Steelers". 20 November 2015.
  9. ^ "Tacoma Tyees (1961-1966)".
  10. ^ "Bellingham Jets (1963-65)".
  11. ^ a b "Edmonds Warriors (1962 - 1966)".
  12. ^ "Fort Lewis Rangers (1961 - 1964)".
  13. ^ "Spokane Volunteers (1959; 1961 - 1964)".
  14. ^ "Lake Oswego/Portland Thunderbirds (1962-1966)".
  15. ^ "Eugene Bombers (1966-1967)".


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