Chambersburg Cardinals
| Chambersburg Cardinals | |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Stadium | Trojan Stadium |
| Based in | Chambersburg, Pennsylvania |
| Team Colors | Red, White, Black |
| League | [1] Gridiron Developmental Football League |
| Local Media | The Public Opinion |
| Head Coach | Chad Fauson |
| General Manager | Gary Gelsinger |
The Chambersburg Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
[edit] History
[edit] 1946
The team was founded on the basis of local players returning from WWII, they were looking to return back to a life they once remembered. The name Chambersburg Amateurs was selected.
[edit] 1947
Independent Team / Coach “Bus” Peters
The team was independent and played other teams from around the area. Home games were played at Henninger Field. The first game was at home on 11/11/47 against the Harrisburg Eagles. They won by a score of 7-0. After that game, they felt they needed a new name and the Thundering Herd was adopted for the remaining two games.
Chambersburg Amateurs 7 – Harrisburg (PA) Eagles 0
Thundering Herd 13 – Norristown (PA) Red Roses 0
Thundering Herd 12 – Lancaster (PA) Presidents 7
Record 3-0 PF – 32 / PA – 7
[edit] 1948
Independent Team / Coach “Bus” Peters
After the 1947 season, the name Thundering Herd never seemed right. After some thought, the name Cardinals was selected and the rest was history.
Chambersburg Cardinals 19 – Martinsburg (WV) Spitfires 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 19 – South End A.C. (Hagerstown, MD) 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 37 – Twin Valley Rockets (Lykens, PA) 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Osceola Mills (PA) Redskins 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 27 – Altoona (PA) Legionnaires 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 26 – Norristown (PA) Red Roses 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 37 – Martinsburg (WV) Legionnaires 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 33 – Harrisburg (PA) Bears 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 25 – Fifth Ward A.C. (Lebanon, PA) 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 6 – Harrisburg (PA) Eagles 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 26 – Osceola Mills (PA) Redskins 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 13 – Hagerstown (MD) Marketeers 0
Record 10-0-2 PF – 268 / PA – 13
[edit] 1949
Independent Team / Coach “Bus” Peters
1949 was the first year the Cardinals experienced a loss. The team was the Waynesboro Tigers. That was the first of many battles against their enemy from the south.
Chambersburg Cardinals 27 – South End A.C. (Hagerstown, MD) 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 13 – Cumberland (?) G.O.P. 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 25 – Washington (PA) Willow Trees 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 13 – Martinsburg (WV) Spitfires 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 8 – Harrisburg (PA) Eagles 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 40 – Lewistown (PA) Steamrollers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 19 – Gablesville Owls (Boyertown, PA) 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 6 – Waynesboro (PA) Tigers 13
Chambersburg Cardinals 6 – Bressler (?) AA Ramblers 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 20 – Harrisburg (PA) Eagles 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 21 – Fifth Ward A.C. (Lebanon, PA) 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 53 – Hagerstown (MD) Marketeers 0
Record 10-1-1 PF – 251 / PA – 26
[edit] 1950
Independent Team / Coach “Bus” Peters
The Cardinals “Power House” presence started to lose steam with a total of 4 losses for the year. They did however revenge that first defeat to the Waynesboro Tigers by a score of 18-7.
Chambersburg Cardinals 35 – Harrisburg (PA) Uptown A.C. Bears 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 35 – Lancaster (PA) Presidents 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 2 – York (PA) White Roses 20
Chambersburg Cardinals 21 – Portage (PA) Bulldogs 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Washington (PA) Car Credit 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 13 – York (PA) 49’ers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 18 – Waynesboro (PA) Tigers 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 27 – Annapolis (MD) Blue Devils 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 34 – Columbia (?) Towhill Lions 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 6 – Harrisburg (PA) Eagles 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 14 – Lancaster (PA) Presidents 20
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – York (PA) White Roses 14
Record 8-4 PF – 205 / PA – 67
[edit] 1951
Independent Team / Coach “Bus” Peters
This year the team just made it over the 100 mark in point scores. Not the norm for a team that had scored over 200+ each full season prior.
Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Washington (PA) Willow Trees 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Fifth Ward A.C. (Lebanon, PA) 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – York (PA) White Roses 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 19 – Washington (PA) Car Credit 9
Chambersburg Cardinals 15 – Harrisburg (PA) Bears 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 13 – Waynesboro (PA) Tigers 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 34 – Harrisburg (PA) Eagles 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – York (PA) White Roses 13
Chambersburg Cardinals 13 – Hagerstown (MD) Merchants 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Washington (PA) Car Credit 15
Record 7-3 PF – 108 / PA – 62
[edit] 1952
Independent Team / Coach “Bus” Peters
The Cardinals offensive prowess had not been what it was, and certainly giving up more points that taking, showed this fact.
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Indiantown Gap (PA) Red Devils 34
Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Fifth Ward A.C. (Lebanon, PA) 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 2 – Harrisburg (PA) Bears 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 6 – Washington (PA) Car Credit 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 15 – Washington (PA) Willow Trees 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 16 – Waynesboro (PA) Tigers 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 19 – Harrisburg (PA) Eagles 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 35 – Hagerstown (MD) Rams 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Indiantown Gap (PA) Red Devils 34
Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Stonewall (?) A.C. 13
Record 5-4-1 PF – 107 / PA – 108
[edit] 1953
Independent Team / Coach “Bus” Peters
In 1953 they realized what they were not doing to put wins on the board and that was scoring. The team scored the most points in their history (69) against the Anacostia Eagles.
Chambersburg Cardinals 13 – Waynesboro (PA) Tigers 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 16 – Washington (PA) Willow Trees 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 6 – Fifth Ward A.C. (Lebanon, PA) 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 6 – Ashland (PA) Miners 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 13 – Harrisburg (PA) Bears 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Washington (PA) Car Credit 14
Chambersburg Cardinals 38 – Lebanon (PA) Rams 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 69 – Anacostia (PA) Eagles 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 48 – Susquehanna (PA) Eagles 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Harrisburg (PA) Lions 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 29 – Waynesboro (PA) Tigers 0
Record 8-3 PF – 238 / PA – 41
[edit] 1954
Independent Team / Coach Merle Leisher
The offense was certainly getting back to what it did best, and that was score. The Cardinals set yet another team record by compiling 280 points for the season.
Chambersburg Cardinals 33 – Harrisburg (PA) Bears 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 14 – Ashland (PA) Miners 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 19 – Venango (PA) Bears 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 21 – Portage (PA) Bulldogs 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 6 – Harrisburg (PA) Lions 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 15 – Mechanicsburg (Harrisburg, PA) Bears 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 19 – Ashland (PA) Miners 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 57 – York (PA) White Roses 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 34 – Fifth Ward A.C. (Lebanon, PA) 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 14 – Washington (PA) Car Credit 20
Chambersburg Cardinals 25 – Waynesboro (PA) Tigers 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 23 – Susquehanna (PA) Eagles 0
Record 10-1-1 PF – 280 / PA – 54
[edit] 1955
Independent Team / Coach Merle Leisher
The defense was certainly coming along at the team posted 8 shutouts. Certainly makes for some easy winning when the other team doesn’t score. They did lose their first game but was able to quickly turn the team around to finish the season with that only loss.
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Philadelphia (PA) Bisons 13
Chambersburg Cardinals 27 – Fifth Ward A.C. (Lebanon, PA) 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 14 – Harrisburg (PA) Eagles 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 20 – Mechanicsburg (PA) Bears 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 42 – Willow Grove (PA) Gridders 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 27 – Marcus Hook (PA) Oilers 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Alexandria (PA) Rams 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 21 – Waynesboro (PA) Tigers 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Washington (PA) Car Credit 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 34 – Cumberland Valley (PA) Colts 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Mechanicsburg (PA) Bears 0
Record 9-1-1 PF – 199 / PA – 25
[edit] 1956
The team disbanded due to difficulty scheduling quality teams. The Cardinals would not field another team until 1968.
[edit] 1967
Re-organization of the 2nd generation was in the works.
[edit] Joining a League
The second incarnation of the Cardinals entered the Interstate Football League as an expansion team in 1968. They played in the IFL until 1971 when a portion of the IFL, including Chambersburg, merged with the Mason-Dixon Football League to become the Seaboard Football League--A league that held, among other teams, the Hartford Knights, Long Island Chiefs and New England Colonials, who were, or would move to, the Atlantic Coast Football League in 1973.[1] They went on to win the league crown in 1973 (when some of the better teams left for the ACFL) before the team and league folded midseason in 1974.[2]
[edit] 1968
Interstate Football League (IFL) / Coach Harry Hopple
The Chambersburg Cardinals returned with Coach Harry Hopple at the wheel. They played their first game on 08/17/68 vs. Baltimore Eagles. They lost that game 7-33 and finished the season 5th in the league standings.
Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Baltimore (MD) Eagles 33
Chambersburg Cardinals 14 – Waynesboro (PA) Tigers 19
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Cumberland (PA) Colts 34
Chambersburg Cardinals 20 – Troy (PA) Chiefs 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 52 – Red Lion (PA) Lions 13
Chambersburg Cardinals 6 – Reading (PA) Keystones 18
Chambersburg Cardinals 6 – Baltimore (MD) Eagles 18
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Frederick (MD) Falcons 13
Chambersburg Cardinals 14 – Red Lion (PA) Lions 26
Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Waynesboro (PA) Tigers 13
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Frederick (MD) Falcons 33
Chambersburg Cardinals 26 – Cumberland (PA) Colts 14
Chambersburg Cardinals 25 – Troy (PA) Chiefs 0
Record 4-9 PF – 177 / PA – 249
[edit] 1969
Interstate Football League (IFL) / Coach Harry Hopple
1969 was the year that certainly is remembered by many of Chambersburg and surrounding football fans. First year the Cardinals won a championship vs. Frederick Falcons on 11/22/69.
Chambersburg Cardinals 30 – Waynesboro (PA) Tigers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 35 – Baltimore (MD) Eagles 19
Chambersburg Cardinals 40 – Cumberland (PA) Colts 19
Chambersburg Cardinals 6 – Schuylkill (PA) Coalcrackers 12
Chambersburg Cardinals 6 – Frederick (MD) Falcons 33
Chambersburg Cardinals 29 – Hagerstown (MD) Bears 13
Chambersburg Cardinals 33 – Hanover (PA) Packers 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 26 – Frederick (MD) Falcons 34
Chambersburg Cardinals 47 – Hagerstown (MD) Bears 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 25 – Schuylkill (PA) Coalcrackers 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 26 – Waynesboro (PA) Tigers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 33 – Cumberland (PA) Colts 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 8 – Baltimore (MD) Eagles 13
Chambersburg Cardinals 25 – Hanover (PA) Packers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 33 – Frederick (MD) Falcons 28 (League Championship Game)
Record 11-4 PF – 402 / PA – 189
[edit] 1970
Interstate Football League (IFL) / Coach Harry Hopple
1970 was a strange year as the Cardinals had some blowout games both giving and receiving. They still ended up winning their division.
Chambersburg Cardinals 30 – Hanover (PA) Packers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 35 – Baltimore (MD) Eagles 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 40 – Cumberland (PA) Colts 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 6 – Schuylkill (PA) Coalcrackers 47
Chambersburg Cardinals 6 – York (PA) Lions 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 29 – Hagerstown (MD) Bears 24
Chambersburg Cardinals 33 – Carroll County (MD) Chargers 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 26 – Hagerstown (MD) Bears 3
Chambersburg Cardinals 47 – Hanover (PA) Packers 19
Chambersburg Cardinals 25 – Carroll County (MD) Chargers 21
Chambersburg Cardinals 26 – Waynesboro (PA) Tigers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 33 – Cumberland (PA) Colts 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 8 – Waynesboro (PA) Tigers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 25 – York (PA) Lions 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 25 – Frederick (MD) Falcons 13
Chambersburg Cardinals 33 – Frederick (MD) Falcons 40
Record 12-4 PF – 425 / PA – 147
[edit] 1971
Seaboard Football League (SFL) / Coach Ralph Tolbert
With a change in leagues, another Head Coach stepped in for Mr. Hopple by the name of Ralph Tolbert. They ended up finishing second in their division.
Chambersburg Cardinals 39 – Conshohocken (PA) Steelers 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 21 – Schuylkill (PA) Coalcrackers 47
Chambersburg Cardinals 21 – Washington (PA) Generals 3
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Ridley Township (PA) Green Knights 52
Chambersburg Cardinals 33 – Hagerstown (MD) Bears 34
Chambersburg Cardinals 14 – Frederick (MD) Falcons 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 14 – Carroll County (MD) Chargers 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 14 – Schuylkill (PA) Coalcrackers 45
Chambersburg Cardinals 27 – Ridley Township (PA) Green Knights 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 82 – Washington (PA) Generals 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 23 – Conshohocken (PA) Steelers 12
Chambersburg Cardinals 14 – Hagerstown (MD) Bears 34
Chambersburg Cardinals 10 – Frederick (MD) Falcons 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 23 – Conshohocken (PA) Steelers 13
Chambersburg Cardinals 15 – Carroll County (MD) Chargers 16
Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Schuylkill (PA) Coalcrackers 31 (Playoffs)
Record 9-7 PF – 357 / PA – 321
[edit] 1972
Seaboard Football League (SFL) / Coach Tom Carr
Offensive Coordinator – Dick Shipley
Defensive Coordinator – Andy Nelson
Trainer – Ray Davis
General Manager – Jim Wallace
Equipment Manager – Whitey Reigh
King Corcoran played for the Cardinals in 1972, after the Cardinals offered him a starting job.[3] Corcoran had played for the Montreal Alouettes but refused to take a job as a backup.[4] Corcoran left for the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League in 1974.
’72 saw another change at the helm. The new Head Coach was Tom Carr. He led the Cardinals to the Championship game only to lose to the Hartford Knights by a score of 7-17. Kick-off time 8:00 pm
Chambersburg Cardinals 34 – Conshohocken (PA) Steelers 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 43 – Baltimore (MD) Eagles 6
08/05/72 Chambersburg Cardinals 14 – Schuylkill (PA) Coalcrackers 45 (Northumberland ?)
08/12/72 Chambersburg Cardinals 19 @ Hagerstown (MD) Bears 34
08/29/72 Chambersburg Cardinals 43 – Long Island (NY) Chiefs 20
08/26/72 Chambersburg Cardinals 6 @ Aston (PA) Green Knights 0 (OT)
09/02/72 Chambersburg Cardinals 23 – Conshohocken (PA) Steelers 6
09/09/72 Chambersburg Cardinals 20 @ Schuylkill (PA) Coalcrackers 45 (Northumberland ?)
09/16/72 Chambersburg Cardinals 0 @ Hartford (CT) Knights 47
09/23/72 Chambersburg Cardinals 31 – Hagerstown (MD) Bears 6
09/30/72 Chambersburg Cardinals 37 @ Portsmouth (VA) Buccaneers 7
10/07/72 Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Hartford (CT) Knights 17
10/14/72 Chambersburg Cardinals 14 @ Long Island (NY) Chiefs 17
10/21/72 Chambersburg Cardinals F @ Conshohocken (PA) Steelers -
10/28/72 Chambersburg Cardinals 10 – Aston (PA) Green Knights 0
11/04/72 Chambersburg Cardinals 28 – Portsmouth (VA) Buccaneers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 20 – Aston (PA) Green Knights 12
Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Hartford (CT) Knights 17 (League Championship Game)
Record 14-4 PF – 356 / PA – 192
[edit] 1973
Seaboard Football League (SFL) / Coach Tom Carr
The Cardinals won their SECOND league championship against a team from upstate New York called the Albany Metro Mallers. The final score was 31-12.
Chambersburg Cardinals 16 – Columbus Barons 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 48 – Washington Stonewalls 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 57 – Philadelphia Pros 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 23 – Hagerstown Bears 3
Chambersburg Cardinals 51 – Wyoming Valley Giants 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 28 – Aston Green Knights 13
Chambersburg Cardinals 34 – Binghamton Jets 27
Chambersburg Cardinals 30 – Bucks County Steelers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 21 – Albany Metro Mallers 10
Chambersburg Cardinals 29 – Aston Green Knights 19
Chambersburg Cardinals F – Bucks County Steelers -
Chambersburg Cardinals 13 – Hagerstown Bears 20
Chambersburg Cardinals 30 – Lackawanna Eagles 13
Chambersburg Cardinals 17 – Binghamton (NY) Jets 3
Chambersburg Cardinals 31 – Albany Metro Mallers 12 (League Championship Game)
Record 14-1 PF – 428 / PA – 132
[edit] 1974
Seaboard Football League (SFL) / Coach Herb Nauss
Quarterback / Wide Receiver – Jim Haynie
Line Coach – Dick Shipley
Special Teams – Walt Klenzing
General Manager – Robert “Whitey” Reigh
Statistician – Ron Armstrong
Trainer – Sam Kegerreis
Assistant Trainer – Danny Kegerreis
Equipment Manager – Bob Cordell
Assistant Equipment Manager – Rod Stoner
Assistant Equipment Manager – Ray Patterson
The Cardinals had a business office with staffed volunteers – Gerry Snedeker and “Cap” Heckler / Team phone number at the time 264-8832
This year the team folder midway through the season with a 4-3 record. Kick-off time was 8:00 pm instead of the standard 7:30 pm. They even had scheduled a 9:00 pm kick-off time for a 10/25/74 game against the Lackawanna County (PA) Eagles. A major reason behind the folding was community resentment following a home game against the Boston Colonials on 08/10/74 in which the stadium lights failed and 4,000 fans were sent home without a refund. The next home game was on 08/24/74 and that game was scheduled for a 3:00 pm kick-off. The following home game was back to the original 8:00 pm time. The team folded on 09/24/74
07/20/74 Chambersburg Cardinals 51 – Jersey (NJ) Oaks 0
07/27/74 Chambersburg Cardinals 34 – Brooklyn (NY) Golden Knights 0
08/10/74 Chambersburg Cardinals PF – Boston (MA) Colonials PF
08/17/74 Chambersburg Cardinals 23 @ Lackawanna County (PA) Eagles 17 (2OT)
08/24/74 Chambersburg Cardinals 27 – Valley Forge (PA) Minutemen 6
09/07/74 Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Wilkes-Barre (PA) Bullets 14
09/14/74 Chambersburg Cardinals 21 @ Wilkes-Barre (PA) Bullets 26
09/21/74 Chambersburg Cardinals 9 – Bridgeport (NY) Jets 10
09/28/74 Chambersburg Cardinals - @ Valley Forge (PA) Minutemen F
10/05/74 Chambersburg Cardinals - @ Bridgeport (NY) Jets F
10/19/74 Chambersburg Cardinals - @ Boston (MA) Colonials F
10/25/74 Chambersburg Cardinals - – Lackawanna County (PA) Eagles F
Record 4-8 PF – 172 / PA – 73
[edit] 1975
Re-organization of the 3rd generation was in the works.
[edit] 1976
Interstate Football League (IFL) / Coach Don Heiges
Offensive Coordinator – William Brundt
Defensive Coordinator – Michael Shifflet
Line Coach – Gary Deitrich
Defensive Back / Wide Receivers – Jacob Ruth
Trainer – Ed Hare
Assistant Trainer – Ray Davis
Assistant Trainer – Mike Evan
General Manager – Walt Klenzing
Equipment Manager – Robert Cordell
Assistant Equipment Manager – Chester Beltz
CONFLICTING SCHEDULE
The Cardinals returned to the IFL with a new leader. His name was Don Heiges and organization was on the top of his list. The team finished third in their division.
07/31/76 Chambersburg Cardinals 20 @ Harrisburg Cowboys 26 (OT) (Newport High School Stadium)
Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Binghamton (NY) Jets 35
Chambersburg Cardinals 13 – Northeast Stars (Scranton, PA) 27
Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Frederick Falcons 20
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Hanover Rhinos 24
Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Cumberland Colts 3
Chambersburg Cardinals 49 – Alleghany Cougars (Cumberland, MD) 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 12 – Hanover Rhinos 9
Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Frederick Falcons 26
Chambersburg Cardinals 0 – Carroll County Chargers 10
Chambersburg Cardinals F – Alleghany Cougars (Cumberland, MD)-
Chambersburg Cardinals 6 – Cumberland Colts 16
Record 4-8 PF – 128 / PA – 202
[edit] Era of Champions
Between 1977 and 1984, the Cardinals won 72 straight regular season games, including five perfect seasons, a record for non-collegiate football,[5] although there is record of at least one loss in that time frame, to the Racine Gladiators in the 1981 Minor Professional Football Association championship.[6]
[edit] 1977
Interstate Football League (IFL) / Coach Don Heiges
Defensive Coordinator – Michael Shifflet
Linebackers – Bob Herstine
Offensive Line – Gary Dietrich
Defensive Back – Jacob Ruth
Wide Receivers – David Paganetti
Trainer – Allen Pugh, Randy Kegerreis
General Manager – Walt Klenzing
Equipment Manager – Brian Horn, Jody Kegerreis
Business Manager – Marvin Horst
THIRD LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Pro Football Weekly All-American
Wide Receiver – Averell Harris (76 catches, 1362 yards, 13 TD
Defensive Back – Johnny Duncan (12 interceptions, 268 yards)
Kicker – Dave Schminke – (40-44 extra points, 14-26 field goals, special note – 47 yard FG in a driving snow storm in Binghamton, NY)
Chambersburg Cardinals 36 – Snyder County Hawks 0
08/20/77 Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – Baltimore Eagles 10
08/27/77 Chambersburg Cardinals 27 @ Harrisburg Cowboys 7
09/03/77 Chambersburg Cardinals 30 @ Snyder County Hawks 9
09/10/77 Chambersburg Cardinals 21 – Baltimore Eagles 35
09/17/77 Chambersburg Cardinals 42 – Northeast Stars (Scranton, PA) 14
09/24/77 Chambersburg Cardinals 13 @ Harrisburg Cowboys 27
10/01/77 Chambersburg Cardinals 47 – Snyder County Hawks 7
10/08/77 Chambersburg Cardinals 43 – Carroll County Chargers 0
10/15/77 Chambersburg Cardinals F @ Northeast Stars -
10/22/77 Chambersburg Cardinals 36 – Harrisburg Cowboys 12
10/29/77 Chambersburg Cardinals 37 – Carroll County Chargers 14
11/05/77 Chambersburg Cardinals 48 – Northeast Stars 0
11/12/77 Chambersburg Cardinals 35 – Baltimore Eagles 16 (League Championship Game)
Chambersburg Cardinals 10 –Tri-City Jets (Binghamton, NY) 13
Record 11-4 PF – 432 / PA – 164
[edit] 1978
Interstate Football League (IFL) / Coach Don Heiges
Defensive Coordinator – Robert Herstine
Offensive Line Coach – Gary Dietrich
General Manager – Marvin Horst
Trainer – Robert Spertzel
Equipment Manager – Larry Selby
Assistant Equipment Manager – Walt Klenzing
In 1978 the team had a 14-0 record and won their FOURTH league championship against the Harrisburg (PA) Cowboys on 11/11/78 by a score of 23-0. They averaged over 48 points per game, and no one challenged them for the national championship. That same year the Cardinals' cousin, the Franklin County Minutemen, joined the Mason Dixon Football League and captured the title. Kick-off time 8:00 pm
Chambersburg Cardinals 71 – Central PA Bucks 6
07/29/78 Chambersburg Cardinals 33 @ Clarksburg – Bridgeport (WV) Red Raiders 21
08/26/78 Chambersburg Cardinals 64 – Frederick (MD) Falcons 0
09/02/78 Chambersburg Cardinals 56 @ Dundalk Express 0
09/09/78 Chambersburg Cardinals 40 – Harrisburg (PA) Cowboys 0
09/16/78 Chambersburg Cardinals 54 @ Baltimore (MD) Warriors 0
09/23/78 Chambersburg Cardinals 24 – Carroll County (MD) Chargers 0
09/30/78 Chambersburg Cardinals 51 – Dundalk Express 0
10/07/78 Chambersburg Cardinals 57 @ Frederick (MD) Falcons 40
10/14/78 Chambersburg Cardinals 66 – Baltimore (MD) Warriors 0
10/21/78 Chambersburg Cardinals 36 @ Harrisburg (PA) Cowboys 13
10/28/78 Chambersburg Cardinals 51 @ Carroll County (MD) Chargers 2
11/04/78 Chambersburg Cardinals 49 – Frederick (MD) Falcons 6
11/11/78 Chambersburg Cardinals 23 – Harrisburg (PA) Cowboys 0 (League Championship Game)
Record 14-0 PF – 675 / PA – 88
[edit] 1979
Interstate Football League (IFL) / Coach Don Heiges
Offensive Coordinator – Gary Deitrich
Defensive Coordinator – Robert Herstine
Linebackers – Michael Shifflet
Defensive Backs – Harold Keys
Running Backs – Jacob Ruth
Trainer – Robert Spertzel
Equipment Manager – Robert Cordell
Assistant Equipment Manager – Walt Klenzing
Equipment Assistant – Tony Klenzing, Jody Kegerreis, Alan Pugh
Ball Boy – John Klenzing, Bobby Cordell
FIFTH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP – Kick-off time 8:00 pm
Offensive Player of the Year – Greg Hare
Defensive Player of the Year – Johnny Duncan
===Cheerleaders===
Lori Medvidovich
Kay Wentz
Dori Milakovic
Debbie Heiges
08/11/79 Chambersburg Cardinals 33 – Pittsburgh (PA) Wolf Pak 18 / Mechanicsburg, PA field
08/18/79 Chambersburg Cardinals 26 – Columbus (OH) Metros 21
08/25/79 Chambersburg Cardinals 51 @ Frederick Falcons 0
09/01/79 Chambersburg Cardinals 39 @ Carroll County Chargers 6
09/08/79 Chambersburg Cardinals 82 – Baltimore Warriors 0
09/15/79 Chambersburg Cardinals 66 – Dundalk Express 7
09/22/79 Chambersburg Cardinals 44 @ Carroll County Chargers 3 (note – Toronto, Canada listed on schedule)
09/29/79 Chambersburg Cardinals 42 – Baltimore Warriors 0
10/06/79 Chambersburg Cardinals F @ Dundalk Express -
10/13/79 Chambersburg Cardinals 44 @ Frederick Falcons 0
10/27/79 Chambersburg Cardinals 27 – Baltimore Eagles 14
11/03/79 Chambersburg Cardinals 34 – Carroll County Chargers 7 (League Championship Game)
11/10/79 Chambersburg Cardinals 14 – Columbus (OH) Metros 21
Record 12-1 PF – 502 / PA – 97
[edit] 1980
Interstate Football League (IFL) / Coach Don Heiges
Offensive Coordinator – Gary Deitrich
Defensive Coordinator – Robert Herstine
Defensive Backs – Harold Keys
Wide Receivers – Robert Spertzel
Chaplain – Rev. Buck Summers
Pro Football Weekly All-American
Head Coach – Don Heiges
Quarterback – Greg Hare
Offensive Tackle – Dean Dietrich
Defensive Tackle – LeRoy Broaders
The Cardinals won their SIXTH league championship against the Carroll County Chargers on 11/15/80 by a score of 32-3 and were named national co-champions by Pro-Football Weekly alongside the Pierce County Bengals (Tacoma, WA) after a 16-0 season.
08/02/80 Chambersburg Cardinals 40 – Brooklyn Mariners 6
08/09/80 Chambersburg Cardinals 75 – Springfield Suns 0
08/16/80 Chambersburg Cardinals 49 – Pittsburgh (PA) Colts 9
08/23/80 Chambersburg Cardinals 53 – Pittsburgh (PA) Wolf Pak 18
08/30/80 Chambersburg Cardinals 42 – Carroll County (MD) Chargers 3
09/06/80 Chambersburg Cardinals 28 – D.C. Buccaneers 6
09/13/80 Chambersburg Cardinals 30 – Harrisburg Cowboys 0
09/20/80 Chambersburg Cardinals 73 – Baltimore Rams 7
09/27/80 Chambersburg Cardinals 55 – Frederick Falcons 0
10/04/80 Chambersburg Cardinals 58 – Harrisburg Cowboys 0
10/11/80 Chambersburg Cardinals 30 – Baltimore Rams 7
10/18/80 Chambersburg Cardinals 40 – Frederick Falcons 0
10/25/80 Chambersburg Cardinals 62 – Baltimore Warriors 0
11/01/80 Chambersburg Cardinals F – Montgomery County Cardinals -
11/08/80 Chambersburg Cardinals 20 – Baltimore Eagles 14
11/15/80 Chambersburg Cardinals 32 – Carroll County Chargers 3 (League Championship Game)
Record 16-0 PF – 687 / PA – 54
[edit] 1981
Interstate Football League (IFL) / Coach Don Heiges
Another league championship won, totaling SEVEN for the franchise. Mayor of Chambersburg Samuel A. Ferraro proclaim the week of October 25-31, 1981 as Chambersburg Cardinals Week. The Mayor set his hand and caused the Seal of the Borough of Chambersburg to be affixed the 23rd day of October, 1981. After winning the IFL championship, they played two rounds to make it into the National Championship game, but ended up losing to the Racine Gladiators 10-17 in Racine, WI.
Chambersburg Cardinals 47 – Virginia Chargers 14
Chambersburg Cardinals 31 – New Jersey Rams 23
Chambersburg Cardinals 28 – D.C. Buccaneers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 44 – Baltimore Rams 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 28 – Baltimore War Eagles 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 38 – Frederick Falcons 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 61 – Baltimore War Eagles 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 65 – Carroll County Chargers 3
Chambersburg Cardinals 30 – Montgomery County Cardinals 3
Chambersburg Cardinals 48 – Virginia Chargers 14
Chambersburg Cardinals 62 – Baltimore Rams 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 55 – D.C. Buccaneers 0 (League Championship Game)
Chambersburg Cardinals 44 – Delevan Red Devils 9
Chambersburg Cardinals 10 – Racine Gladiators 17 (Minor Professional Football Association (MPFA) Championship Game)
Record 13-1 PF – 591 / PA – 103
[edit] 1982
Interstate Football League (IFL) / Coach Bob Herstine
In 1982, the Cardinals won their EIGHTH league championship and also won the Pro Football Weekly National Championship game against the Chicago Lions held at Trojan Stadium while being watched by over 5,000 fans.
08/07/82 Chambersburg Cardinals 37 – Pittsburgh Colts 17
Chambersburg Cardinals 27 – Montgomery County Cardinals 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 37 – Frederick Falcons 6
Chambersburg Cardinals F – D.C. Buccaneers -
Chambersburg Cardinals 20 – Carroll County Chargers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 44 – Baltimore Rams 18
Chambersburg Cardinals 35 – Montgomery County Cardinals 10
Chambersburg Cardinals 41 – D.C. Buccaneers 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 47 – Carroll County Chargers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 42 – Baltimore Rams 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 46 – Frederick Falcons 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 22 – New Jersey Rams 20
Chambersburg Cardinals 35 – Carroll County Chargers 7 (League Championship Game)
Chambersburg Cardinals 40 – Chicago Lions 16 (Pro Football Weekly National Championship Game)
Record 14-0 PF – 463 / PA – 107
[edit] 1983
Interstate Football League (IFL) / Coach Bob Herstine
NINTH league championship in team history. Lost to the New Jersey Rams 17-27 in the Minor Professional Football Association (MPFA) Semi-Finals.
Chambersburg Cardinals 45 – Brooklyn Knights 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 43 – Frederick Falcons 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 67 – Pocono Mountaineers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 26 – D.C. Buccaneers 22
Chambersburg Cardinals 45 – Carroll County Chargers 13
Chambersburg Cardinals 70 – Pocono Mountaineers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 38 – D.C. Buccaneers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 46 – Carroll County Chargers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 81 – Frederick Falcons 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 41 – Binghamton Jets 6 (League Championship Game)
Chambersburg Cardinals 17 – New Jersey Rams 27 (Minor Professional Football Association (MPFA) Semi-Final Game)
Record 10-1 PF – 519 / PA – 80
[edit] 1984
Interstate Football League (IFL) / Coach Bob Herstine (2-1) / Coach Harold Keys (10-2)
TENTH league championship in team history. Lost to the Scranton Eagles 14-21 in the MPFA championship game. That year, the IFL had their champion play the GFL (Georgia Football League) champion. The Cardinals ended up winning that game 30-6 against the Forest Park Vikings.
Chambersburg Cardinals 54 – Frederick (VA) Firebirds 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 17 – New Jersey Rams 27
Chambersburg Cardinals 31 – D.C. Buccaneers 22
Chambersburg Cardinals 28 – Frederick Falcons 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 48 – Asheville (NC) Chiefs 0
Chambersburg Cardinals F – Wilmington (DE) Clippers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 37 – Carolina (SC) Cowboys 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 24 – D.C. Buccaneers 22
Chambersburg Cardinals 36 – Carolina (SC) Cowboys 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 38 – Asheville (NC) Chiefs 0
Chambersburg Cardinals F – Wilmington (DE) Clippers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 35 – West Virginia Miners 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 24 – Frederick Falcons 6 (League Championship Game)
Chambersburg Cardinals 14 – Scranton Eagles 21 (Minor Professional Football Association (MPFA) Championship Game)
Chambersburg Cardinals 30 – Forest Park (GA) Vikings 6 (Interstate Football League (IFL) vs. Georgia Football League (GFL) Championship Game)
Record 12-3 PF – 416 / PA – 111
[edit] 1985
Interstate Football League (IFL) / Coach Don Heiges
ELEVENTH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Chambersburg Cardinals 47 – D.C. Stonewalls 12
Chambersburg Cardinals 32 – Brooklyn Mariners 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 15 – D.C. Buccaneers 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 13 – D.C. Buccaneers 20
Chambersburg Cardinals F – Delaware Raiders -
Chambersburg Cardinals F – Delaware Raiders -
Chambersburg Cardinals 14 – Frederick Falcons 27
Chambersburg Cardinals 29 – Frederick Falcons 21
Chambersburg Cardinals 28 – Frederick Falcons 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 17 – D.C. Buccaneers 7 (League Championship Game)
Record 8-2 PF – 195 / PA – 99
[edit] 1986
Continental - Interstate Football League (CIFL) / Coach George Fetrow
[edit] 1987
[edit] 1988
[edit] 1989
[edit] 1990
[edit] 1991
[edit] 1992
Re-organization of the 4th generation was in the works.
[edit] 1993
[edit] 1994
Mason-Dixon Football League (MDFL) / Coach Larry Rydbom
[edit] 1995
[edit] 1996
[edit] 1997
[edit] 1998
[edit] 1999
[edit] 2000
[edit] 2001
Re-organization of the 5th generation under the name Cumberland Valley Cardinals
[edit] 2002
Re-joined the Mason-Dixon Football League (MDFL) / Coach Pat Kelly
Record 5-5 PF – ? / PA – ?
[edit] 2003
Mason-Dixon Football League (MDFL) / Coach Phil Pietry
Record 5-5 PF – ? / PA – ?
[edit] 2004
Mason-Dixon Football League (MDFL) / Coach Lance Whiteside
Record 5-6 PF – ? / PA – ?
[edit] 2005
North American Football League (NAFL) / Coach Lance Whiteside
Record 6-6 PF – ? / PA – ?
[edit] 2006
North American Football League (NAFL) / Coach Charles Johnson
[edit] AIFL
In 2006, after a reorganization of the American Indoor Football League that saw the departure of the Syracuse Soldiers, the Cardinals were asked to fill two holes in the schedule. In their first game against the nearby Johnstown Riverhawks, the Cardinals lost by a score of 68 to 0,[7] billed as the first shutout in AIFL history, although, since it was an AIFL team against a non-AIFL team, that would not be a fair comparison. Their second game against league powerhouse Reading Express had a similar result, a 74-0 loss. The AIFL declared that all records set against the Cardinals and the Ghostchasers, a team hastily established to fill the schedule of another team, the Carolina Ghostriders (which, in turn, had been hastily assembled to fill the schedule of yet another team the year before), would be marked with an asterisk.[8]
The games referenced were not, nor ever meant to be, anything other than scrimmages for the Cardinals. Both opponents considered them real games but the Cardinals used them as a way to judge new players since they were unable to obtain scrimmages with other teams. It should also be noted that the Cardinals were out of season, as the NAFL is a summer/fall league and the AIFL played in spring, and were likely unprepared for a full-contact game.
Record 7-3 PF – ? / PA – ?
[edit] 2007
North American Football League (NAFL) / Coach Jake Minnich
Returned the Cardinal name to Chambersburg and went back home to Trojan Stadium.
Record 5-5 PF – ? / PA – ?
[edit] 2008
North American Football League (NAFL) / Coach Jake Minnich
Record 8-4 PF – ? / PA – ?
[edit] 2009
North American Football League (NAFL) / Coach Jake Minnich
Record 7-5 PF – ? / PA – ?
[edit] 2010
Big North East Football Federation (BNEFF) / Coach Chad Fauson
TWELFTH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP vs. New Jersey Wolves 42-8 in Palisades Park, NJ (11/07/10)
Chambersburg Cardinals 12 @ Arbutus (MD) Big Red 13
Chambersburg Cardinals 10 – Central Penn (PA) Piranha 13
Chambersburg Cardinals 34 – New Jersey Stags 10
Chambersburg Cardinals 27 @ Virginia Hornets 12
Chambersburg Cardinals 37 @ South Jersey Vikings 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 50 @ Southern Virginia Trojans 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 46 – Northwest (PA) Giants 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 33 @ Philadelphia Panthers 6
Chambersburg Cardinals 41 – Virginia Hornets 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 56 – Lehigh Valley (PA) Storm 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 55 – Northeast (PA) Eagles 6 (First Round Playoffs)
Chambersburg Cardinals 13 @ Philadelphia Panthers 8 (Second Round Playoffs)
Chambersburg Cardinals 13 @ Central Penn (PA) Piranha 9 (Third Round Playoffs)
Chambersburg Cardinals 42 – New Jersey Wolves 8 (League Championship Game)
Record 12-2 PF – 469 / PA – 99
[edit] 2011
Gridiron Developmental Football League (GDFL) / Coach Chad Fauson
THIRTEENTH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP vs. Oklahoma Thunder 19-14 in Atlanta, GA (10/01/11)
Chambersburg Cardinals 41 @ New Jersey Stags 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 70 – Lancaster Lightning 7
Chambersburg Cardinals 38 – South Jersey Lynx 8
Chambersburg Cardinals 54 @ Bergen (NJ) Hawks 3
Chambersburg Cardinals 56 – D.C. Explosion 24
Chambersburg Cardinals 56 @ Lancaster Lightning 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 76 – Waynesboro Tigers 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 7 – New Jersey Stags 0
Chambersburg Cardinals 17 @ D.C. Explosion 12
Chambersburg Cardinals 48 – Virginia Cougars 20 (First Round Playoffs)
Chambersburg Cardinals 39 – Hampton Roads (VA) Hurricanes 0 (Second Round Playoffs)
Chambersburg Cardinals 34 – Asheville Grizzlies (NC) 0 (Third Round Playoffs)
Chambersburg Cardinals 45 – Henry County (GA) Horseman 8 (Fourth Round Playoffs)
Chambersburg Cardinals 19 – Oklahoma Thunder 14 (League Championship Game)
Record 14-0 PF – 600 / PA – 96
[edit] Current Team
The current team was born in 2010, when an investment group saw an opportunity with the existing trend in American Outdoor football. In 2007, NFL Europe folded and created a lack of placement for quality players. The talk of creating a farm system in the United States became a top issue for the NFL. The investment group felt that Chambersburg would be a great place to start such a team. They could look back through history and see how Chambersburg supported a semi-pro team called the Chambersburg Cardinals. The Cardinals went through many different phases. In the beginning, the Cardinals were labeled as an adult amateur team because of the local players just wanting to play football after high school was over. This went on up until 1969. In 1970 the team status changed to semi-pro where they recruited players and got them jobs and housing. This continued through the 70's and 80's. In the 90's, Arena Football and NFL Europe came on the scene. At that point, semi-pro football lost most quality players, and it returned to the local player adult amateur status. There were many debates while creating this new professional team. The biggest debate was whether to have a new name for the area or acquire the Cardinals name. The investment group embraced the history of the Cardinals and decided to acquire it. In 2010, the Cardinals recruited heavily and had over 20 players from around the country come to live in Chambersburg for the football season. Building from scratch, the team began a rise into its current position. The Cardinals, while in the Gridiron Developmental Football League, won the league title in 2011. From all the different statuses, the Cardinals have held, from adult amateur, to semi-pro, to now professional, Chambersburg has been an American Football league champion a total of 13 times.
[edit] References
- ^ "Interstate League Survives Defection Of Five Elevens", Baltimore Sun, March 24, 1971, pC2; "Washington Generals Join Forces With New Seaboard Football League", Washington (PA) Observer-Reporter, March 23, 1971, pB-8
- ^ Bob Gill, with Steve Brainerd and Tod Maher, Minor League Football, 1960-85 (McFarland and Co., 2002), pp84, 99-100
- ^ "Corcoran great or 'a bum'", Reading (PA) Eagle, November 5, 1972, p75.
- ^ Simpson signs with Bills, Eugene Register-Guard, July 29, 1972.
- ^ Steven Brainerd (2010). Minor league football records - Winning streaks.
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DY4cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=s14EAAAAIBAJ&pg=5892,2785255&dq=chambersburg-cardinals&hl=en
- ^ http://tribune-democrat.com/prosports/x519127440/A-lot-at-stake-for-Riverhawks
- ^ "AIFL preserving integrity of records." AIFL press release (June 2006). Page no longer online.
[edit] External links
- http://www.chambersburgcardinals.com/history.html
- http://bleacherreport.com/articles/403432-semi-pro-football-coming-to-a-town-near-you
- http://www.semiprofootball.org
- http://www.nationalfootballevents.com
- http://minorleaguefootballnews.com
- http://www.americanfootballassn.com
- http://www.semiprofootball.org/minor/records/playscor.htm
- http://www.semiprofootball.org/minor/records/playpass.htm
- http://www.summithealth.org/cs/Satellite?c=eHA_Content_C&cid=1285348019769&pagename=Summit%2FeHA_Content_C%2FSummit_Press_Release_Content_Page_Template
- http://www.luckyshow.org/football/LIChiefs.htm
- http://www.shipraiders.com/hof.aspx?hof=60&path=&kiosk=
