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Birmingham Americans Saturday September, 7th 1974 Attendance 54,872 Legion FieldBirmingham
As the Birmingham Americans players went through their pre-game warm-ups they could hear the strains of Paper Lace’s “The Night Chicago Died” pouring from the stadiums PA system (as could those listening on the radio that night). But they could also feel the showers pouring from the skies, compliments of Hurricane Carmen, that left everything, and everyone drenched. As players ran, or walked, or fell, water splashed freely. The almost 55,000 fans who braved the storm were treated to an absolutely unforgettable game, with the Ams roaring to what seemed like an easy lead, only to see Chicago fight back to take the lead very late. They then witnessed yet another Birmingham miracle, as Matthew Reed, once again, led a furious rally so that Ams kicker Earl Sark could boot a 34-yard field goal with 47 ticks of the clock remaining to give Birmingham an incredible 41-40 win. This game started out fast and never let up. Charley Reamon gathered in the opening kickoff at his 12, started up the middle and took off. However, he lost control of the ball as he sped upfield, but the ball bounded to where he could easily grab it again, and he then proceeded to race all the way to the Chicago 24 before he was tripped up by a touchdown-saving tackle. Eight plays later, Art Cantrelle leaped into the end zone on fourth and one. QB George Mira then hit Alfred Jenkins for the action point and the Ams had a quick 8-0 lead. Birmingham kicked off and two plays later Ams LB Warren Capone recovered Chicago’s Bob Wyatt’s fumble at the 29. However Charley Harraway was stopped on fourth down at the 20. The teams exchanged possessions with Birmingham having a difficult time holding on to the very wet football, losing two fumbles. Chicago now drove 62 yards in 11 plays after the fumble recovery to tie the score. Fire QB Virgil Carter hit James Scott for a two-yard touchdown, then rolled around left end for the AP with 7:27 left in the first half. The Ams returned the kickoff to their 49, but benefited from a 15-yard penalty, setting them up at the Fire 36. Mira hit Jenkins with a pass to the Chicago one, then the Fire defense put up a brave front before Charley Harraway scored on fourth down. Mira hit Ted Powell for the AP and Birmingham led 16-8 with 3:47 remaining until halftime. A lot would transpire in this remaining time. Carter drove the Fire 73 yards in nine plays, hitting Scott for a 28 yard TD. The AP pass was intercepted, but Birmingham was offsides, so Carter got another crack at it. He made this one good, giving to Mark Kellar who ran it in, 16-16. Reamon tilted the advantage back in Birmingham’s favor with a 69-yard kickoff return to the Chicago 12. On the first play, Dennis Homan found the middle of the end zone wide open and Mira hit him there. The AP was no good, but the Ams took a 23-16 lead into intermission. When play resumed in the second half, the two teams went right back at each other. Birmingham kicked to Chicago who returned it to the 34. On first down Dick Trower stole the ball from Fire RB Cyril Pinder and ran it back to the 20. After Harraway picked up two yards, Mira threw to Cantrelle, who had slipped out of the backfield and ran it in for the score. Mira’s AP pass was out of bounds, but the home team led 30-16. Chicago drove to Birmingham’s 14, but Capone sacked Carter and the visitors had to settle for a 42 yard Allen Watson field goal. 30-19 Birmingham. Birmingham wasted no time in answering. Jimmy Edwards took Chicago’s kickoff and traveled 80 yards before he was pulled down at the four. Cantrelle ran around right end to score on the first play. Harraway fought into the end zone for the AP and things looked good, 38-19. However, Birmingham’s Paul Robinson fumbled at his own 15 with 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Carter scrambled away from the Americans pass rush and found Kellar in the end zone as the quarter ended. The AP was no good, and the 4th quarter started with Birmingham’s lead now at 38-26 Birmingham’s offense suddenly went cold, while Carter suddenly started picking the Ams defense apart. Carter led a12 play, 89-yard drive, culminating with a pass to Scott for the TD. The AP pass attempt failed, but Birmingham’s lead was cut to five points with 6:33 to go. After Birmingham punted, Chicago needed only three plays to cover 67 yards. The first play lost a yard, then Carter hit Scott for 30 yards then Jim Seymour for 38 yards down the sideline to score. The AP failed, but with 2:59 to play, Chicago had its first lead of the game 40-39. The Americans had one last chance to regain the lead. Starting at the Birmingham 43, Reed led the drive, hitting a fourth down pass to Homan at the Fire 30 on fourth and four. Harraway picked up five on a draw, but the Ams again faced fourth down. Reed again found Homan open and Homan made a magnificent grab of the ball at the Chicago 19. Reed attempted three passes, all were incomplete, with the last one just skittering off Homan’s fingers in the end zone. So on fourth down Sark came in and coolly booted the 34-yarder out of Mira’s hold. The ball sailed right through the middle after Mira had to pull down a high snap. The stadium erupted and players leaped and cheered. And the rain still fell. Chicago had another last gasp, but on third down Randy Lee made a diving interception and Reed mercifully ran out the clock, ending the wild finish and giving Birmingham a 10-0 record. There were plenty of heroes in the victory. On the offensive side of the ball, Mira and Reed combined for 130 yards passing while Reamon and Edwards contributed mightily with their kick returns to give the offense excellent field position. Harraway, Robinson, Edwards, and Cantrelle ran well considering the field conditions and Jenkins, Powell, and Homan had big catches, Homan’s last two fourth down catches were unreal tightrope walks at the sideline. Defensively Trower, Capone, Steve Manstedt, Ross Brupbacher, Randy Lee, and Butch Brezina had big nights, with Trower getting the most accolades from the press.
Art Cantrelle scores the first of many points
Ross Brupbacher chases Fire QB Virgil Carter
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