1931 NCFL Championship Game
The 1931 NCFL Championship Play-off Game was the first scheduled championship game of the National Central Football League (NCFL) since its founding in 1920. It was played on December 17 at the New York Municipal Manhattan Field in New York City, and the attendance was estimated at 25,000.
The game was between the champions of the league's newly created divisions: the Cincinnati Senators (9-3) of the Western Division and the New York Dragons (10-2) of the Eastern division. New York gained home field advantage due to the better record.
The game was an offensive showdown with 10 touchdowns scored for a total of 76 points. Senators quarterback Scott Palmer threw for 4 touchdowns and 352 yards. While reigning League award (MVP award) holder and 1930 winner Marcus Schrage threw for 2 touchdowns, 192 yards, and rushed for 1 touchdown and 140 yards.
Background
The 1929 and 1930 NCFL seasons resulted in 9 teams folding due to the economic issues with the Great Depression. Attendance figures were declining, and with growing concerns regarding the leagues financial viability, it was opted to split the league into two divisions of 6 and 5 teams each, to reduce travel times between teams. Growing disputes regarding the champions of the league between team owners, had been an issue for many years. For 1931 they decided to hold a championship game between the winners of the two divisions, and thus end disputes regarding the champion of the league.
The New York Dragons were led by 1930's 3rd round pick Marcus Schrage from University of Maryland, the reigning league player (he would win another in 1931), and the first ever rookie of the year recipient. Schrage's way of playing was physical, with an emphasis on rushing. He had led the league in 1930 and 1931 in rushing yards. Leading the league both in rushing and passing touchdowns the year prior. However the Dragons presented the most versatile and efficient defensive unit of the league, led by defensive lineman Cole Cuellar, who had been traded to the Dragons earlier in the year from Green Bay, and led the league in sacks.
The Cincinnati Senators were led by the due of quarterback Scott Palmer, which had led that year in passing yards (3,535), passing touchdowns (25), and wide receiver Jonny Spencer who had led the league that year in receiving yards (1,177), and receiving touchdowns (10), as the two lead the leagues highest scoring offense.
The two teams had met in the final game of the regular season, in an offensive showdown won by the Senators 35-28, which featured two passing touchdowns from Palmer, and two rushing ones by Schrage, with Senators backup quarterback and runningback R.J. Barron rushing for another two touchdowns. With the Senators having jumped to a quick 14-3 lead by halftime. The game was seen by many as a preview of the Championship game, although it had been the highest scoring game allowed by the Dragons defense which had struggled in a Week 7 matchup against the Chicago Giants in a 33-3 blowout loss, that accounted for the first loss in the Dragons 10-2 season, the Senators loss being the other one.
Game Summary
During the kickoff coin toss, the Dragons had won the toss, and had opted to kick, having chosen to do so all the times they had won the toss. The Cincinnati offense got off to a quick start with a 9 yard pass to running back Jacob Blackmon, however a dropped pass to receiver Nick Lee, and a 6 yard sack by Cuellar, ended the Senators offense. Marcus Schrage lost no time, rushing 3 times for 40 yards, with running backs Louie Kelly and Stephen Jackson adding another 30 yards. Schrage on his first pass attempt of the afternoon threw a 23 yard pass to Louie Kelly at the 5 yard line. An attempted pass fake, allowed Schrage to rush the final 5 yards for the touchdown. Both offenses struggled for the next 10 minutes, as neither team was able to obtain a first down, including a Schrage lost fumble. As Cincinnati received the ball on the third minute, Palmer exploded for 3 straight completions moving the ball 35 yards, with a Blackmon rush of 7 for the first down. However the Senators were unable to gain the first down, and made a 39 yard field goal.
The Dragons started the second half by kicking the ball, after their rushing attack had resulted in a single first down in the drive. The Senators were once again able to move the ball efficiently, with Palmer and Spencer connecting two times for a total of 23 yards, with Blackmon breaking 2 tackles to rush for 19 yards into the 9 yard line. Palmer was unable to connect with either Lee or Blackmon at the goal line. Opting to attempt a third straight pass, rather than run it, the pass was high to Spencer who at 6'6" had to jump high above the defensive back to catch it, for the touchdown.
The Dragons quickly returned with Schrage connecting with Kelly, Edmonds, and Green for 26 yards. Before rushing himself 20 yards. Schrage connected with Lineman Clercius for an 18 yard pass at the 2 yard line. Awaiting a running play, the Senators launched a red-dog attack on the Dragons, however Schrage was able to quickly pick up the play, swing to the left and complete a pass to Green for the touchdown. A crucial moment in the game came 5 minutes later, when after having gone into the Senators zone, Schrage was sacked, prompting the Dragons to attempt a 50 yard field goal. Kicker Jared Rowland did not account for the heavy western winds, and missed the kick. Following the missed kick, the Senators were unable to move the ball, with Palmer sacked twice. Following the punt by the Senators, Schrage prepared to complete a pass to Kelly, when he was intercepted by Bill Hohenstein. Having obtained the ball again, Palmer complete a floater to Jacob Blackmon, who quickly broke a tackle by linebacker Pierre McDuffy, before breaking another by defensive back Grant Slaughter, on the way to a 71 yard touchdown, with two minutes left on the game. The Dragons were brought to a stop with a minute thirty left. Palmer proceeded to move the ball downfield mainly by connecting with Blackmon 2 times for 30 yards, with Blackmon rushing another 30 yards. With 15 seconds left on the clock, Blackmon rushed for 18 yards, being brought down in front of the goal line, before rushing it in for the touchdown.
On the kickoff drive, the Dragons were once again unable to move the ball, and punted the ball to the Senators. Palmer once again combined with Blackmon throughout the drive, culminating in an 18 yard reception for the touchdown, to bring the Senators up 31-14. Schrage quickly bounced back combining for 30 passing, and 20 rushing, to bring the Dragons back into Senators territory, however a crucial dropped pass by Fred Thompson, forced the Dragons to attempt a 41 yard field goal, which Rowland missed. The Senators once again got off to a quick start with rushes from Blackmon and R.J. Barron, and a 20 yard completion to Sean Moore. Blackmon once again proved his worth when he caught a 30 yard deflected pass to bring the Senators to the 10 yard goal line. Following a Palmer rush, and under the guise of checking in on Palmer, R.J. Barron the backup quarterback was brought into the play, after fainting a pass, he rushed for 4 yards for the touchdown, to put the game 38-14 with 5 minutes left in regulation.
The Dragons were unable to move the ball once again, being brought to a stop following a Schrage 20 yard dash down the right side of the field. The Senators were able to bring together a successful offense including a 15 yard rush by Palmer, which had returned to his position, however a fumble by Moore granted the ball to the Dragons, who once again were unable to successfully move the ball, and settling a 41 yard field goal. The Senators once again struck effectively, with Palmer throwing for 40 yards, before completing a 23 yard touchdown to Blackmon, later described as the "perfect pass", to bring the Senators up 45-17.
Schrage continued his rushing attack, alongside Kelly, before bringing the ball to midfield. A bad centered ball, almost led to a fumble as Schrage rushed for the bouncing ball, quickly grabbing it, and tossing a deep pass to Kelly, who ran 49 yards alone to the touchdown, to make the game 45-24. The Senators were able to move the ball well, although a sack, and a dropped pass by Blackmon made the Senators punt the ball. Schrage produced his most effective drive of the game, rushing for 30 yards, passing for 20, with Kelly rushing for another 35, as Stephen Jackson in a trick play rushed the final 2 yards for a touchdown, to bring the game 45-31. The Dragons attempted an onside kick, which the Senators promptly secured, but were unable to take more time off the clock, following two crucial tackles for loss by the Dragons defense. The Senators attempted a 36 yard field goal which they missed. Schrage and Kelly continued their historic days, but were unable to move the ball at the Senators 30 yard line, and after a failed 4th and 3, the Senators received the ball to finish the game.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giants | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| Bears | 3 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 23 |
| Game information |
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Scoring
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Aftermath
The game had been a resounding financial success for the league, hit heavy by the Great Depression. News of the "thrilling" matchup covered newspapers throughout the country, with historical performances from Palmer and Schrage being front and center. The Cincinnati Senators, which had struggled economically for several years, were revitalized by the win.
The game is also seen as the start of the Original 10 era, where the NCFL remained steady at 10 teams until 1949, with the Buffalo Warthogs folding later that month, reducing the league to 10 teams. However all 10 teams proved to be financially viable, with all 10 still active and successful franchises.
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