The twenty first NFA Championship Game would be hosted by the Baltimore Knights for the second time in franchise history. The Knights would host the San Francisco Sharks and their number one ranked defense in the league led by their star Defensive End Joey Sack. Even with the best offensive line in the league, the San Francisco Sharks defense would dominate from beginning to end.
GAME SUMMARY
Both teams would struggle to put up much offense in the first quarter of the game. Baltimore would take the lead on the first possession of the game with a 23 yard field goal by Kicker Pat Armor. The Sharks would answer back on their first drive of the game with a 25 yard field goal to tie the game at 3. The score would remain tied at three at the end of the first quarter. Baltimore would have a difficult time with the Sharks defense. San Francisco would tackle Kenny Marlow twice for a total loss of 8 yards on Baltimore's second possession of the game. This would force the Knights to punt and give San Francisco the ball to start the second quarter. San Francisco would start from their own 20 yard line. Joe Happ and Jerry Tubbs would rush for a combined 20 yards on 4 plays to place the ball at the Sharks 40 yard line. On first down, John Marshall would throw 15 yards down field to Barry Rodman who was left wide open. Rodman would take it to the endzone for a 60 yard touchdown reception. After the extra point, the Sharks would take a 10-3 lead which they would never lose. Before halftime, the Sharks would add 3 points to their lead with a 16 yard field goal as time expired. The Sharks led 13-3 at the half, but many felt like the Sharks were leading 40-3 since the Knights would not be able to get any offensive production against San Francisco's dominating defense. After the half, San Francisco would receive the ball first and put together an 80 yard scoring drive that was capped off with a 12 yard pass from John Marshall to Chuck Morrisen. After the extra point, San Francisco led 20-3. Baltimore would be able to move the ball well their next possession and get into field goal range at the San Francisco 36 yard line. Roy Jones Jr would fumble the ball though after having it punched out of his arms by a swarm of San Francisco defenders. Baltimore's defense would be able to prevent the Sharks from capitalizing on the turnover and forced San Francisco to punt. The Knights though would turn the ball back over though with Kenny Marlow's second interception of the game. The score would remain 20-3 at the end of the third. In the final quarter, Baltimore would try a hurry up type offense to keep the San Francisco defenders off balance. It wouldn't work however. After converting a 2nd and 4 for a first down, Kenny Marlow would hurry his team to the line and then try to a quick pass to his halfback Johnny Latimer. Latimer wasn't ready for the pass and was not looking at Marlow. Quint Oliver would catch the ball for Marlow's third interception of the game. San Francisco would run the ball every down in an attempt to run out the clock as much as possible. They would eventually score their final touchdown of the game via a 4 yard rush by John Marshall. After the extra point, San Francisco led 27-3. Playing for pride, Baltimore would continue to try and put points up on the board and would throw on almost every down. In a prevent defense, Kenny Marlow would connect with Pete Gardner for a 32 yard touchdown pass. The Knights would go for two points, but failed. At the end of the game, San Francisco won 27-9. NFA Commissioner Howie Roselle would present San Francisco's first NFA Championship Trophy in franchise history to San Francisco's Owner Charles Kezar Jr. This would be one of the most lopsided NFA Championship Games in NFA history. Many did not expect San Francisco's defense to be able to dominate the Baltimore offense as well as they did. This defense would go down as one of the greatest defenses of all time.