The fourth NFA Championship was held at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, OH for the second straight season. For the first time in NFA history, the two teams who had met each other in the previous championship game, would meet again. The 11-1 Cincinnati Buckeyes would win their third NFA West Division championship and host the Boston Bluejackets for the second straight season. The 9-3 Boston Bluejackets won their second NFA East Division title. Boston and Cincinnati had met each other in Cincinnati on November 22, 1942. Cincinnati edged out Boston in a thriller, 23-20. That win would secure home field advantage for the championship game.
GAME SUMMARY
This game would become an instant classic that would be talked about for years. The popular belief was that the game would be close, but Boston would find a way to lose like they had earlier in the season when they faced Cincinnati. Unfortunately for the Bluejackets, it would be proven correct. In the first quarter, Cincinnati would capitalize on a fumble by Boston's quarterback Brian Branch when he would let the ball slip through his hands after a 3rd and 3 snap on the Cincinnati 27. The Bluejackets would be able to recover which would lead to a 14 yard rushing touchdown by Charles Williams. Boston's defense would prevent the Buckeyes from scoring for the rest of the half however. Meanwhile the Bluejackets offense would put together a game tying drive with under two minutes left in the half. Brian Branch would pass for 24 yards which would help put the Buckeyes in scoring position. The drive would end with a 10 yard rushing touchdown by Fred Finley. For the first time in American Bowl history, the game would be tied at halftime. After halftime, Boston's defense would hold Cincinnati to 2 field goals to keep the game close. After three quarters Boston was trailing 13-7 but they were still very much in the game. With under 10 minutes left in the game, Boston would take the lead with a 20 yard pass from Brian Branch to Andrew King for a touchdown. It looked like Boston would be able to pull off the upset as their offense tried to kill as much of the clock as possible by running the ball. Disaster would strike however after Fred Finley had the ball punched out of his arms by a Cincinnati defender on the Buckeyes 30. Cincinnati would recover the ball on the Boston 26. This would lead to a Charles Williams rushing touchdown to seal the win for Cincinnati. For the second straight season, Cincinnati defeated Boston in the NFA Championship to win their second Presidents Trophy in franchise history.