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".Bob Gill, with Tod Maher. Outsiders II: Minor League And Independent Football, 1951-1985, p. vii. St. Johann Press, 2010.
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.
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.
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, Sacramento Lancers, San Jose Apaches, Seattle Ramblers and Victoria Steelers joined the newly formed Continental Football League "Pacific Division". Portland Thunderbirds declined an opportunity to join the CoFL due to financial concerns. A separate Portland franchise, the Loggers, would eventually take the Thunderbirds' place in the CoFL.
In 1970, the CoFL fractured, leaving only the four teams in the former North Pacific territory. Sacramento (by then known as the Capitols) was selling season tickets for a potential 1970 season. The failure of that season ticket drive along with Portland's closure led to the two remaining teams (Spokane and Seattle) deciding that there were not enough teams to make such a venture worthwhile, and the proposal was abandoned.
1963 North Pacific Football LeagueTeamWLTPct.PFPANotes Tacoma Tyees8001.00016383Declared Champions Edmonds Warriors350.375100116 Portland Thunderbirds250.28510496 Seattle Ramblers 250.28554127
1964 The Bellingham Jets dropped out of the league mid-season and forfeited the last four games. North Pacific Football LeagueTeamWLTPct.PFPANotes Edmonds Warriors10001.00026542Declared Champions Tacoma Tyees730.70024082 Portland Thunderbirds630.667189134 Forth Lewis Rangers 640.60019399 Seattle Ramblers260.25040157 Spokane Volunteers180.11120312 Bellingham Jets080.00020134Folded
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. 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. Northwest International Football LeagueTeamWLTPct.PFPANotes Edmonds Warriors9001.00023846Declared Champions Lake Oswego Thunderbirds630.66722787 Tacoma Tyees360.33353167 Vancouver Kats 090.0000216Disbanded
Northern California LeagueTeamWLTPct.PFPA San Jose Apaches910.90027165 Redwood City Ramblers910.90029890 Sacramento Lancers550.500161197 Oroville Beavers 271.250118201 Hayward Hawks271.250171286 Eureka Foresters280.200130312 NCL Championship Game: San Jose 7, Redwood City 6
1966 Portland Thunderbirds signed a working agreement with the Denver Broncos for players development. Pacific Football LeagueTeamWLTPct.PFPANotes Seattle Ramblers9001.00021660Declared Champions* Eugene Bombers730.778271153 Portland Thunderbirds450.444133135 Tacoma Tyees 261.25095214 Edmonds Warriors261.250120143 Victoria Steelers270.222132237 The Bombers chose not to play the 1966 PFL playoffs due to financial concerns. Northern California LeagueTeamWLTPct.PFPANotes San Jose Apaches12001.00023846Declared Champions Hayward Hawks630.66722787 Sacramento Lancers360.33353167 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 Continental Football League Pacific Coast Professional Football League
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