Virginia-Carolina Football League

The Virginia-Carolina Football League was a professional American football league formed in 1937 by clubs from Virginia and one team from North Carolina. The VCFL was a regional minor league, that was formed behind the backbone of the Richmond Rebels, an association of players that walked off the Dixie League Richmond Arrows after their salary demand were not answered. The league featured five teams, with one additional team from Roanoke, Virginia, the Roanoke Rassler-Dazzlers, as an independent member.[1]

Virginia-Carolina Football League
SportFootball
Founded1937
Ceased1937
No. of teams5
CountryUnited States
Last
champion(s)		Richmond Rebels
Related
competitions		Dixie League

VCFL attendance was generally in the range of 1,000 to 2,000 fans per game (about half of what the Dixie League) and media attention was insignificant, resulting in league disbandment after only one season.[2]

History

On November 15, 1936, Dixie League's Richmond Arrows team coach (Dave Miller) and the players walked off the team in an effort for more pay. When Arrows manager hired a new head coach and players (to join the five who didn't strike) to finish the season,[3] the striking player decided to form their own team, called Richmond Rebels.

At first they tried to form an all Virginia league, which would contain teams in Norfolk (Tars), South Norfolk (Acs), Portsmouth (Sewanee), Lynchburg and Roanoke, but when the last two dropped before season start, a team from Durham, North Carolina (Bobcats) was invited. Roanoke, would later elected to participate as an "unofficial entry" and played all "exhibition" scheduled, were named "Rassler-Dazzlers" because they employed several professional wrestlers, while all teams rosters were stocked from local colleges.[2] The Bobcats featured the most recognizable name, Back Clarence Stasavich, who would later coach Lenoir–Rhyne to an NAIA championship in 1960.

The 1937 season

Because the Richmond team had more experience from the other league members, it was apparent from the get go that they simply outclassed its competition, and they finish the season with six wins in six games (and one "exhibition" 0-0 drew with Portsmouth). Their biggest test was in week five, when they met the previously undefeated Durham Bobcats, and beat them 7-0 at Tate Field before a crowd estimated at 2,000.

The league did not attempt to compile statistics or pick an all-star team, although Rebels player-coach (FB) Marcel (Mush) DeLotto considered to be the best player in the VCFL.[2]

Results
Pre-Season
Richmond Rebels 7 vs. South Norfolk Aces 0
Week 1
Richmond Rebels 28 vs. Portsmouth Sewanee 0
Week 2
Richmond Rebels 27 vs. Norfolk Tars 0
South Norfolk Aces 6 vs. Durham Bobcats 13
Roanoke Rassler-Dazzlers 29 vs. Portsmouth Sewanee 6 (exhibition)
Week 3
Richmond Rebels 33 vs. South Norfolk Aces 0
Durham Bobcats 14 vs. Portsmouth Sewanee 0
Roanoke Rassler-Dazzlers 6 vs. Norfolk Tars 3 (exhibition)
Week 4
Norfolk Tars 0 vs. Durham Bobcats 0
Portsmouth Sewanee vs. South Norfolk Aces (forfeit)
Week 5
Norfolk Tars 0 vs. Portsmouth Sewanee 0
South Norfolk Aces 6 vs. Roanoke Rassler-Dazzlers 0 (exhibition)
Richmond Rebels 7 vs. Durham Bobcats 0
Week 6
Richmond Rebels 28 vs. Portsmouth Sewanee 7
South Norfolk Aces 8 vs. Norfolk Tars 7
Durham Bobcats 21 vs. Roanoke Rassler-Dazzlers 0 (exhibition)
Week 7
South Norfolk Aces 13 vs. Norfolk Tars 6
Richmond Rebels 0 vs. Portsmouth Sewanee 0 (exhibition)
Week 8
Richmond Rebels 21 vs. South Norfolk Aces 0
Durham Bobcats 20 vs. Portsmouth Sewanee 0
Norfolk Tars 0 vs. Roanoke Rassler-Dazzlers 0 (exhibition)
Week 9
Roanoke Rassler-Dazzlers 19 vs. Norfolk Tars 12 (exhibition)
Portsmouth Sewanee 13 vs. South Norfolk Aces 6

Standings

This table is shows both league and non-league unofficial standings.

The Richmond Rebels were considered "Champions" after finishing the season undefeated.

TeamWLTPct.PFPANotes
Richmond Rebels 6001.0001447
Durham Bobcats 311.7504713
Portsmouth Sewanee A.C 241.3332096
South Norfolk Acs 250.2853393
Norfolk Tars 042.0001369
Roanoke Rassler-Dazzlers 321-5448exhibition games only

See also

References
  1. Bob Gill, with Tod Maher. Outsiders: Minor League And Independent Football, 1923-1950, p. vii. St. Johann Press, 2006. ISBN 187828245X
  2. "The 1937 Virginia-Carolina Football League" (PDF).
  3. "A History of the Dixie League" (PDF).
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