North Pacific 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]

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 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

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
North Pacific Football League
TeamWLTPct.PFPANotes
Tacoma Tyees 8001.00016383Declared Champions[9]
Edmonds Warriors 350.375100116
Portland Thunderbirds 250.28510496
Seattle Ramblers 250.28554127

1964

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

North Pacific Football League
TeamWLTPct.PFPANotes
Edmonds Warriors 10001.00026542Declared Champions[11]
Tacoma Tyees 730.70024082
Portland Thunderbirds 630.667189134
Forth Lewis Rangers[12] 640.60019399
Seattle Ramblers 260.25040157
Spokane Volunteers[13] 180.11120312
Bellingham Jets 080.00020134Folded

1965

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
TeamWLTPct.PFPANotes
Edmonds Warriors 9001.00023846Declared Champions[11]
Lake Oswego Thunderbirds 630.66722787
Tacoma Tyees 360.33353167
Vancouver Kats 090.0000216Disbanded
Northern California League
TeamWLTPct.PFPA
San Jose Apaches 910.90027165
Redwood City Ramblers 910.90029890
Sacramento Lancers 550.500161197
Oroville Beavers 271.250118201
Hayward Hawks 271.250171286
Eureka Foresters 280.200130312

NCL Championship Game: San Jose 7, Redwood City 6

1966

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

Pacific Football League
TeamWLTPct.PFPANotes
Seattle Ramblers 9001.00021660Declared Champions*
Eugene Bombers 730.778271153
Portland Thunderbirds 450.444133135
Tacoma Tyees 261.25095214
Edmonds Warriors 261.250120143
Victoria Steelers 270.222132237

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

Northern California League
TeamWLTPct.PFPANotes
San Jose Apaches 12001.00023846Declared Champions
Hayward Hawks 630.66722787
Sacramento Lancers 360.33353167
Oroville Beavers 090.0000216

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

References
  1. Bob Gill, with Tod Maher. Outsiders II: Minor League And Independent Football, 1951-1985, p. vii. St. Johann Press, 2010. ISBN 1878282654
  2. "Vancouver Kats (1965)".
  3. "Victoria Steelers (1966) Steelers/Tyees 1967)".
  4. "Pacific Football League (1966)".
  5. "1966-1967 Eugene Bombers".
  6. "1967-1969 Seattle Rangers".
  7. "Seattle Ramblers (1966) Seattle Rangers (1967 - 1969)".
  8. "1967 Victoria Steelers".
  9. "Tacoma Tyees (1961-1966)".
  10. "Bellingham Jets (1963-65)".
  11. "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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