1932 NCFL Championship Game
The 1931 NCFL Championship Playoff, was the second scheduled National Central Football League (NCFL) championship game. Played at the New York Municipal Manhattan Field in New York City on December 9. The game featured the two winners of the Eastern (New York Dragons), and Western divisions (Green Bay Packers).
The Dragons coming off another MVP season from Dual-threat quarterback Marcus Schrage, hosted the western winning Packers. The Dragons had hosted the first ever championship the year prior against the Cincinnati Senators.
The game was an offensive showdown which finished 45-27, with the Packers winning their first ever Championship game and overall 2nd NCFL championship. It represented the first championship game of the Original Ten era
Background
The game featured the streaking Dragons which had won 7 straight games in a 10-2 division winning season. The Dragons had convincingly defeated the Packers two times already in the season, in a 37-7 showdown in week 2, and a 40-34 overtime thriller in week 11, two of the three losses the Packers had suffered all season. Schrage had left a week 12 matchup against the Detroit Tigers, with a strained calf. He stated following the game, that he had played injured, vomiting at half time as fellow players helped adjust his calf.
The Dragons had the leagues most successful offense at 417 points scored (the highest amount by a team in NCFL history up to that point), and its second most effective defense at 260 points allowed. The Dragons however were entering the game as underdogs due to crucial injuries suffered by several defensive players, including star defensive lineman Cole Cuellar who in an interview in 1946, revealed he had entered the game while nursing a broken leg, and a finger. He had exited the game following a heavy hit to the head, he later recalled as having "brought the lights on him", it is widely believed that Cuellar suffered a concussion during the game, which led to his exit.
Game summary
The first quarter featured little scoring with the Packers kicking a 41 yard field goal following a strong drive by Abe George. The Dragons upon receiving the ball, led a strong passing and rushing offensive, with Schrage connecting with 4 different players, before connecting on a 9 yard touchdown pass to Louie Kelly. During the play while blocking for Kelly, Cuellar suffered a heavy hit to the head. Neither team was able to move the ball successfully until Schrage connected by David Moreau for 18 years, before he fumbled the ball only to be quickly recovered by Taylor Green. Schrage would throw an interception to Dominique Bates, while trying to reach Louie Kelly. Kelly was injured during the play.
The Packers began their drive and the second quarter deep in their territory, when on the first play of the quarter Abe George threw an interception to Tyler Jones, who returned the ball to the Green Bay 21 yard line. Following a quick pass, Schrage rushed for 13 yards, to score and make the game 14-3. Green Bay attempted to make a comeback, however Abe George fumbled the ball, for Taylor Green to recover on the Green Bay 30 yard line. Following a penalty and a tackle for loss, the Dragons opted for a 41 yard field goal to make the game 17-3. Upon receiving the ball again, George made the first successful Packer drive of the game, driving down the field completing 5 straight passes for 73 yards, before Trent Keating rushed 2 yards for the touchdown. At the tale end of the game, Schrage completed a pass to Green, who fumbled the ball following a strong hit by Andrew Stogner, with Miles Ridley recovering the fumble deep in Dragons territory. Following a pass, Dan McClelland rushed 9 yards on a pitch by George, to tie the game. With a minute left and two timeouts remaining, the Dragons drove down 70 yards, to culimate in a Stephen Jackson 5 yard rushing touchdown to enter halftime 24-17.
On the third quarter, the Packers put together a strong drive culminating in a 10 yard George touchdown to Chris Henderson, to tie the game. In the following drive Schrage would be sacked three straight times, leading to a Dragons punt. The Packers once again drove down the field, until a sack and a delay of game resulted in a 2nd and 25 down, with the Packers moving the ball to attempt a 38 yard field goal on a 4th and 5, making the field goal. However an offside by Pierre Clercius, and pushing and shoving following the play by the Dragons, resulted in a late penalty call, and the Packers obtaining a first down. Despite protests, the call stood, and the Packers continued the drive ending in a 7 yard passing touchdown to Joel Price to make it 31-24. Schrage and the Dragons drove down the field, but were unable to capitalize, being forced to kick a field goal to make it 31-27. George and the Packers drove down the field with little opposition, ending in a rushing touchdown for Trent Keating, his second of the day. Following another unsuccessful drive by the Dragons, George and the Packers put another long drive, that took even more time off the clock, ending in a 5 yard passing touchdown to Vonzell Greene. In a repeat of the previous year, the Dragons received the ball again, but turned over on downs following an unsuccessful 4th and 4 attempt, to end the game.
Aftermath
The game had been another resounding financial success. Abe George who had entered the game as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the league, cemented his legacy in Green Bay, winning the championship MVP award. The game was the first championship matchup that started the rivalry between the Packers and Dragons.