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1958 Playoffs: Division Semi-Finals

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East Division Semi-Final: Washington Federals @ Philadelphia Rattlesnakes Philadelphia would be hosting its first postseason game in over 20 years as they welcomed its biggest competition in the Washington Federals. It was a mild December evening, perfect for a game that could determine which way momentum swings in the East for the next few years to come. The Federals needed to go through the playoffs the hard way if they wanted to reclaim a title. The Rattlesnakes represent a new wave of teams ready to take down the current teams on top and change how things are played in the AFL. Q1 The Rattlesnakes would receive the opening kickoff after Washington won the coin toss. They immediately got off to a great start, as RB Mickey Greene opened the game with a 23 yard rush that got the home crowd roaring. Philly would not be able to improve upon that first play as they went three and out on the next set of downs. Washington’s first chance would be about equally as exciting, getting a first d...

1958 Season

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  East Division The East in recent years has become the most competitive division in all of professional football, and 1958 was no exception. New York’s miraculous run to the championship seemed like it would be a one-and-done deal if they had not acquired arguably one of the best receivers in the league: Joey Staniskovski. With him added to the offensive arsenal, and the promotion of Newark RB Jon Dawson as a bruising option in the backfield, the Lions offense was a tough one to stop. They also found a diamond in the rough in the draft, as fifth round selection DL John Lee Hines out of Prairie View State made an immediate impact on the line and locked himself into a Rookie of the Year award, becoming just the second player not drafted in the first round to win said award. The Lions were out to prove that last year was no fluke and wanted to make another deep run for potentially their first AFL title. That desire came true, as they were undefeated through the first half of the year...