The Palm Beach Post from West Palm Beach, Florida • Page 23

Buffalo Takes AFL Division Title wi'h Wray Carlton and Jack BUFFALO (AP) The Bui- The Bills needed the victory falo Bills, given an 11th hour I over Tnver to capture the title cunenea weir uuia The Broncos got the ball on the Buffalo 26 early in the second period when Willie 3rovn intercepted a Kemp pass, but Scotty Glackeo was thrown for an 11-yard loss trying to pass straight Eastern Division cham and Immediately was replaced at quarterback by McCormick. they had the ball and built a 17-0 lead before Denver got on the scoreboard In the closing minutes of the first half. The Broncos had been able to penetrate only as deep as the Buffalo 37 up to that time. Charley Warner took the opening kickoff back 43 yards to the Buffalo 49. Two plays later, Kemp sprinted 26 yards to the Denver 30.

After a roughing the passer penalty on Denver linebacker John Bramlett gave the Bills the ball on the 13, Bobby McCormick proceeded to give the ball right back to Buffalo as pionship in the American Football League Sunday by battering eiror prone Denver 38-21. The victory lifted the Bills' record to 9 41 and sent them Into the AFL championship against Kansas City here Jan. 1, with the winner meeting the Statistics Spikes going over on short runs, Bobby Crockett taking a Jack Kamp pass 38 yards lor a touchdown. Janik returning an interception 25 for another, Stratton going 22 with the fumble and Booth Lusteg kicking a field goal. Janlk's first interception led to Lusteg'g field goal and a 17-0 lead.

His second steal, on John McConrick's pass on ttie first play of the second half, brought him his touchdown and a 31-7 lead. It also locked up Buffalo's first division title under Coach after it was left up for grabs when front-running Boston dropped out of the lead with an 8-4-2 record following a 38-28 loss to the New York Jets Saturday. The Bills didn't let the opportunity get away, rolling to the victory with the aid of a short punt by Denver's Bob Scarpitto, an aborted onside kick attempt by the Broncos, a fumble recovery by Mike Stratton and two key Interceptions by Tom Janik, who was cut by the Broncos last Janik intercepted his first pass on the 20. Janik's return and a roughing penalty put the ball on the Denver 44. Lusteg eventual ly kicked a 16 yard field goal.

Burnett ground out seven yards roncos lllls Denver 6 7 0 14-21 7-34 14 19 Buffalo and Carlton the final six. The Bills got their second 1 ie-30 'year Plrst downs Rushing yerdooe Passing yordoge Passes Passes Intercepted by Pumbles lost Punts Yards penalized touchdown after Scarpitto, rushed by the strong Buffalo Buf Carlton run (Lusted kick) of Spikes 1 run (Lusteg kick) But FG Lusteg le Den Scarpitto 21 past from McCor Denver. lone effm-Uve ernin- 320 K40 1 SM 7 Joe Collier, who replaced Lou Saban this year. mick (pass foiled! i 2S ss But LrocKetl pass from twmp iuih- Denver finished with a 4-10 line, got off only a 16-yard punt that rolled out on the Denver 28. Kemp hit Elbert Dubenion teg kick 25 Interception (Lusteg Janik Bif ut record, playing its last game under Ray Malavasi, who will ter was the John McCormick-to-Bob Scarpitto aerial combine which accounted for all three Bronco touchdowns on plays covering 62, 28 and 10 yards.

The Bills spread their scoring kirk i Buf srrotfon 72 fumble (LUSTeaj ki) Den Scarplrro 10 post from McCor with a 23 yard pass that brought the ball to the two and Spikes cracked over in two tries. National League champion in the first Super Bowl game at Los Angeles, Jan. 15. be replaced by Saban. The Bills scored the first time mick I Scarpitto past from McCormick) Attendance I The Palm Beach Post ') in Ir )' Vf3n i 2 Late Scores Lift Miami Over Oilers ray A Monday, Dec.

19, 1966 The Palm Beach Post 23 which ended with Houston leading 28 0. Houston drove 39 yards In CHI CK OTTERSON All Florida New MIAMI (AFN) Faithful and long-suffering Miami Dolphin) play, lor the- first TD with Trull iff fans were rewarded for their hifinr fullback Hoyie Granger (AP Wlreohoto) patience Sunday as the Dolphins I for a 33-yard gain, halfback Ode came roaring back from almost jBiirreU picking up seven off certain defeat to score two right tackle and Trull firing to Rose pursues in the background. Buffalo won the game 38-21 and thus captured the Eastern Division AWAY HE GOES Buffalo quarterback Jack Kemp runs out of the pocket to pick up 15 yards and a first down in Sunday's Denver-Buffalo AFL contest at Buffalo. Bronco's Dan La- touchdowns In the last three Granger on a 7 -yard rjcorinng minutes and seconds for a I atrial- Bl an da's extra point thrilling 29-28 American Foot-made it 7- as the first quarter bail League victory over the! ended. Houston Oilers.

A throng of The Oilers scored again the next time they had the ball. marching 34 yards in five plays, with Trull tossing 11 yards to 20,045 frantic fans, growing accustomed to the tune of "almost but not quite" following seven straight Dolphin losses, cheered madly as a near-miracle unfolded before their eyes in the Orange Bowl. former Baylor teammate Larry Eikins for the touchdown. Blan-da's boot made it 14-0. The Dolphins finally managed to get on the scoreboard on a Unitas Passes Colts Into Playoff Bowl Statistics Oilers Dolphins nine-play, 80-yard march midway through the second period.

Stofa passed to Gilchrist lor 18. Karl Noonan for 12 and Billy Joe for 12, setting the stage for a 27-yard scoring strike to Auer. Then came the play that in the final analysis made the SAN FRANCISCO (AP) (Francisco 66-2. Johnny Unitas threw four touch- In the rugged clash before 30 110 vs nit i 5- 1 S4 Plrsf downs Rushing yordogt Passing yardage Posses Passe Intercepted Punts Fumole lost Yards penaiited down passes ranging to 61 yards ,005 chilled fans In Kezar Stadi 141 33 30 I 3M 0 49 i ii! 1 cVir M'- (. 1 I in propelling the Baltimore Unitas opened the scoring Colts to a 30-14 victory over San with an 11-yard toss to veteran end Ray Berry.

batz intercepted a pass to thwart the first 49er threat and recovered two fumbles. The first he fell on at the 49er 20, and it led to the second Colt touchdown. The fierce action brought frequent penalties. San Francisco tackier Walter Rock was thrown out with less than three minutes to play. In the final minute, a woman fan dashed from the Francisco Sunday, Coupled with Green Bay's 27- I Mingo lined up to kick Use ex- Then he clicked on throws of 23 triumph over Los Angeles the WKb :3 lem In the game, Ira point but George ilson Jun-HoiLston auarternack Don Trull lor, who wan holding the ball.

iwin gave the Colts undisputed sneaked over from the one-yard i flipped a little pass to Joe for line and George. Blanda booted a two-point conversion. Statistics "It had been our plan, if we stands and stole the yellow pen 18 to John Mackey, 61 to Jimmy Orr and 31 to Willie Richardson. Lou Michaels missed his first conversion attempt but connected on the other three, plus a 43-yard field goal. Never ahead, the 49ers scored on a 59-yard pass play from John Brodie to Dave Parks and a 23-yard throw by Brodie to Kay McFarland.

The 49ers operated most of scored first, we would go for only one extra point," explained Coach George Wilson alter the ramp. "If thev scored first Plrst downs Rushing yordoo Passing yardage alty handkerchief from the head linesman's hip pocket. Colts fer 21 19 126 3'9 179 70-30 19.40 1 1 4-37 0 1 13 109 masses no frn- tho turn ruiint. I Passes Intercepted by Boltimore 0 13 7 1030 Son Francisco 0 7 7 014 Punts And that is on our first score, Tiros pcfiutizro the afternoon without their No. 1 what worked in our favor at the end," Miami needed only three plays to go 76 yards for a touch halfback, John David Crow, who hurt his right knee in the first the extra point, giving the Oilers an apparently insurmountable 38-15 lead.

But the Dolphins refused to give up. John Stofa, latest and perhaps best in a long line of quarterbacks who have had a shot at running the AFL's newest team, directed the Dolphins on a 12-play. 61 march, hitting Bill Cronin on a four-yard pass for the touchdown to pull the Dolphins within seven points at 28 21. Gene Mingo's extra point boot trimmed the margin to six with 3:11 remaining. Houston, anticipating an on-side kick, Jammed 10 men up near midiield, but Mingo boomed the kickoff down near the Bolt Berry 11 pass from Unitas (kick foiled) Bolt Mackey II pass from Unitas (Michaels kick) SF-Parks 59 pass from Brodie (Oavts kick) Bolt Orr 41 pass from Unitas (Michaels kick) SF McFarland 23 pass from Brodie (Davis kick) Balt-Ricriordson 31 pass from Unitas (Michaels kick) Bolt FG Michaels 43 Attendance 40,005 down late In the third period.

series of downs. second place in the National Football League's Western Conference and an assignment to Miami's Playoff Bowl on Jan. 8. The Playoff Bowl game Is for the second place teams. The Colts finished 9-5 and San Stofa passed to Jackson for 20, Besides Unitas' aerial wizar dry, the Colts defense proved Gilchrist romped around right end for eight and Stofa fired a 48-yarder to Jackson for the solid.

Linebacker Denny Gau- (AP Wlreohoto) in the Houston-Miami Sunday game in Miami. The Dolphins edged Houston, 29-18. score. Mingo's kick sliced the Oilers' lead to 21-15. The Oilers apparently put it out of reach on a 12-play, 90- CAUGHT INTERCEPTING Jim Norton (43), Houston back, is tackled by Miami back Frank Jackson after Norton intercepted a John Stofa pass, yard fourth quarter drive, with Trull sneaking in from the Bratkowski Guides Packers Over Rams one.

goal line. Bobby Jancik took it on the two and had returned to the 20 when Miami's Bobby Neff nailed him with a vicious tackle. Then came then came the Dolphins' last-minute heroics. With their 3 victories, the Then the Dolphin defense, Dolphins tied the record for an Sayers Paces Bears To 41-28 Victory went to work. expansion team set by the Min- Sid Blanks tried to carry nesota Vikings and already tied around his own right end, but by the Atlanta Falcons.

LOS ANGELES (AP) Green Bay destroyed Los Angeles' Ed Cooke and Alphonse Dotson hopes of going to the Playoff Bowl Sunday as reserve quarterback Zeke Bratkowski led the CHICAGO (AP) Gale Say caught a 26-yard pass for a total champion Packers to a 27-23 of 339 yards against Minnesota. victory in the final National after each Bear touchdown, also added 36 and 17-yard field goals. The latter was set up on Sayers' 54-yard run In the last quarter. Sayers returned the opening Football League game here. Ram Merlin Olsen came up with the baU.

Gabriel passed for 65 yards to Steve Heckard to the Packer three and then passed for the TD to Marlin McKeever to pull within four points of Green Bay. Bratkowski, filling in for regular Bart Star, played the entire game and threw one touchdown pass, 23 yards to Carroll Dale. Bob Jeter intercepted a Gabriel pass and returned it 75 yards to put Green Bay in front 7-3. The Packers led 17-9 at the half and 27-9 until the Ram explosion in the final period. kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and scored again 10 minutes I j3 I I ui wrapped up the Western Conference title, thus wound up the regular season with a record of 12-2, while the Rams.

8-6. had their best season since 1958. The Rams suddenly caught fire in the final three minutes of the game and scored two touchdowns to go with the record making three field goals kicked by their Bruce Gossett. Gossett's three field goals were for 36, 30 and 17 yards and brought his total for the season to 28, breaking the NFL record of 26 set in 1962 by Lou Michaels with Pittsburgh. As the fans were streaming out, punter Jon Kilgore faked a kick on fourth down and threw a Minnesota 14 0 14 t-21 Statistics later on a three-yard sweep af Chicago 11 17 7 I II ter Doug Buf tone recovered Packers Rams Jeff Williams' fumble to start 19 First downs smashed him to the ground after only a three-yard gain.

TrulL having to hurry his passes because of a furious rush by the Dolphins' front four, threw incomplete on the next two downs, forcing the Oilers to punt. Neff signaled for a fair catch at the Miami 45 and it was the offensive unit's turn. With 20,045 fans shouting "Go! Go!" the Dolphins did just that. Stofa overthrew halfback Joe Aucr on first down, but hit fullback Cookie Gilchrist with a screen pass on the next play and the 250-poisnd Gilchrist rumbled 22 yards to the Houston 3. Don Floyd and SIS-pound Ladd came pouring through to spill Stofa for nine- the Bears on a 48-yard drive.

Rushing yaidc-ae Stofa, going all the way at quarterback for the first time, turned in a magnificent performance for the Dolphins, completing 22 of 38 lor 307 yards. Auer led the ground troops with 87 yards in 13 carries. The Miami defense turned in its unusual fine effort. Dotson and sagetyman Willie West each chalked up ten tackles and two assists to lead the way. "It's great to finish with a win," said Wilson, who formerly coached the Detroit Lions of the National Football League.

"Those fans were sure making noise behind us and urging us on. We're glad for them that we won, too." Those 20,045 faithful who were on hand saw a game they'll probably never forget. It was worth waiting for. Chl-Sayert klckoH return (teclerc kick) Min Hall 11 pass from Tarkenton (Cox kick) Chi Sayers 3 run (Leclerc kick) MinTarkenton IS run (Cox kick) Chi FG Leclerc 34 100 251 23-31 1 4-17 111 237 13- 2J 1 3 3 Early in the third period, Minnesota scored twice, capping an 80-yard march on Tarkenton's Passing yardage Posses Passes Intercepted by Punts Fumbles lost Yards penalired ers drove 197 yards from scrimmage and added a 90-yard scoring kickoff return Sunday in directing the Chicago Bears to a 41-28 National Football League victory over Minnesota. Sayers, who carried 17 times, boosted his season rushing total to 1,231 yards and unofficially won the NFL rushing title the first halfback to do so since Steve Van Burean of Philadelphia in 1949.

His 197 yards also enabled him to break two club records set in 1956 by Rick Casares. The old marks were 190 yards rushing in one game and 1.154 in a season. Besides running for 197 yards, he also returned two Chi tones to pass from Bukldi (Le 1 56 SB six-yard pitch to Carpenter and Green Boy Los Angeles. 7 10 0 10-27 14-21 ending a 76-yard thrust with his three-yard toss to Osborne. It clerc KICK) ChlBuklt II run (Leclerc kick) Mm Carpenter 4 pass from Tarkenton (Cox kick) Mln Osborn 3 pass from Tarkenton (Cox kick) CM Arnett II run (Leclerc kick) Chi FO Leclerc 17 Attendance 45,191.

cut the deficit to 31-28. Then the Bears moved 66 yards in five plays, with Sayer pass to defensive back Claude Crabb, a member of the kicking team. It went for 47 yards to the Packer 15, and two plays later quarterback Roman Gabriel ran for the touchdown. LAFG Gossett 36 GB Jeter 75 pass Interception (Chandler kick) LAFG Gossett 30 GB FG Chandler 10 LA FG Gossett 17 GB Anderson 2 run (Chandler kick GB Dal 23 pass from Bratkowski (Chandler kick) GB FG Chandler 47 LA-Gooriel ii run (Gossett kick) LA McKeever 3 pass from Gabriel (Gossett kick) Attendance 72,414, A crowd of 72,416, the largest in two years, turned out in sum-meilike weather in hopes that the Rams might win and journey to Miami, for the game between the second place teams of the NFL's two divisions Jan. 8.

Green Bay, which had already running 18 and taking a 26-yard pass. Jon Arnett scored from yard loss on the next play, after the six. Houston 7 14 0 7-21 kickoffs for 116 yards and Roger Leclerc, who converted Miami a I 7 14-29 There was a multi-fumble in the last minute, and Final Pro Standings widen linebacker Johnny Hau'T diagnosed a screen and tackled Gilchrist five yards behind the line of scrimmage. Still the Dolphins refused to Hou-ranger 27 pass from Trull (Blanda kick) Hou Eikins 11 pass from Trull (Blanda KICK I Mlo Auer 27 pass from Slofo (Joe pass from Wilson) quit. National League EasfemConfrnc On the next play btora con Hou McLeod pass from Trull (Blanda Cowboys Topple New York, 17-7 Pet.

Pl. OP nected with flanker Frank Jackson for a 39-yard gain and Mi KICK Mia Jackson 41 pass from Stofa (Mingo kick) Hou Trull 1 run (Blanda kick) Dallas 10 3 1 .769 445 2J9 Philadelphia I i I 324 34D ami had a first down at the if-i" 'Jm. yri ji Mlo Cronin 4 pass fromStofa (Mingo kick) Houston 14 with the seconds! Cleveland 5 0 ,643 403 259 St. Louis 5 1 .615 264 265 Washington 7 7 0 331 iii Mia Auer 14 pass from stofa (Mingo ticking away on the scoreboard NEW YORK (AP) The Dal KICK I Attendance 20,041. pirtsDUrgn 1 jie 4 Atlanta 1 0 .214 204 437 clock.

New York 1 12 07 263 501 Then Auor showed why he title. Their only score In the first three periods came when defensive end George Andrie intercepted a Gary Wood pass and went six yards for a western conrrenco Green Bay 12 2 0 .857 335 1 63 Baltimore 5 0 .643 314 2 26 Los Angeles 6 0 .571 289 212 Colt QB Cuozzo TV' VTi was selected as the jjoipnms-most valuable player, taking a pass from Stofa and evading Son Francisco 6 2 .500 320 32S Could Be Traded Chicago 7 2 .417 234 272 1 trio of Oder defenders to Minnesota 4 9 1 .301 292 304! a las Cowboys, who clinched the National Football League's Eastern Conference title Saturday when St. Louis lost, barely managed to get up enough steam to beat the last-place New York Giants Sunday 17-7 in a mean-nothing game. IIBiWIIIHIIIIililimilJIWlllllJJP Statistics Detroit 4 1 206 317 scamper into the end zone for SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Baltimore's reserve quarterback After Joe Morrison's two-yard run tied the score early in the final period, Morton hit Hayes Saturday's Results Cleveland 3s, St, Louis 10 Sunday's Results Dallas 17, New York 7 Chicago 41, Minnesota 21 Philadelphia 3, Washington 21 Pittsburgh 57, Atlanta 33 Green Bay 27, Los Anoeles 23 Baltimore 30. San FranclscoU Sunday, Jon, 1, 1967 NFLihamplanshlp Green Bay at Dallas the tying touchdown with only 38 seconds left.

Mingo added the all-important extra point, mascot Flipper turned flips in the end zone and 20,045 fans went into near-hysterics. All that remained was for the Dolphins to hold the Oilers for he final 38 seconds and they on a 41-yard play. It was Hayes' 13th touchdown reception of the year. Danny Villanueva, who missed three field goal attempts, converted from the 10 for a 7-7 edge. Gary Wood brought the Giants to the Dallas six in the final Gary Cuoy-zo wants to be traded to a tram that will play him, and Colts General Manager Don Kellett will try to oblige.

In his fourth season with the National Football League Colts, the 25-year-old Cuozzo has been understudy to Johnny Unitas all that time. "He wants to play, and you Cowboys Giants 11 1 102 107 1S5 155 15 24 15-33 2 1 AU1 7.37 1 0 First downs Rushing yardcroe Possing yardaage Passes Passes Intercepted by Punts Fumbles tost Vards penalized I I- f.x I 1 seju-eemni. -sooii i ru Jjln.l.,tn fcU- I L.IJ I Uiiim iH I i) xiuiiuico uwi nit? v.uwuuys ueiu. would have their third win in amused' played without Don The crowd of 62,735 can't fault a fellow for that," 14 AFL starts. Tliey did just that.

Unable to find a receiver. Kellett said. Sunday. "We will try to trade him, but there is nothing immediate. We wouldn't Mereaitn, its first string quarterback who was shaken up last week in the Washington game.

Jerry Rhome and Morton divided the quarterback Job. Trull ran out of bounds for a American League Eastern Division Pet. Pts. OP Buffalo 9 4 1 .492 351 255 Boston I 4 2 .667 315 2B3 New York 4 i JOO 322 312 Houston 3 11 0 .214 335 396 Miami 3 II 0 214 213 362 "estem Oivislon Kansos City 11 2 I 444 441 274 Oakland 1 I .615 315 289 Son Diego 7 4 1 .531 335 284 Denver 4 10 0 216 196 381 Saturday's Result New York Boston 2 Sunday's Results seven-yard loss on first down. attempt to discuss it with any He threw two imcomplete pas body until after the season is (AP Wlrephoto) ses and on fourth down was over." itself by singing "Good Bye Al-lie" after a Craig Morton-to-Bobby Hayes touchdown pass broke a 7-7 tie in the final period.

The Giants, under Coach Sherman, wound up with their record ever, 1 12-1. The Cowboys, playing listlessly, showed little of tjio drive that had made them the highest scoring team In the NFL and Green Bay's Jan. 1 foe for the hit hard by the Dolphins and Kellett described Cuozzo, who fumbled. Cooke leaped on the is from Virginia, as a fine quarterback with great potential, but added, "Unitas in our estima Bay touchdown in their Sunday game in Los Angeles. The Packers won the game, 27-23.

Chuck Lainson of the Bams is in the background. Dallas 7 0 0 10-17 New York 0 0 0 77 Dal Andrie 4 run with pass Interception (Villanueva kick) Dal Hayes 41 pass from Morton (Villanueva hick) NY Morrison run (Goglak kick) Dot villnnueva It Attendance 42.735 I ball for the Dolphins as time ran out. PACKER TOUCHDOWN Donny Anderson (41) of the Green Bay Packers eludes would be tackier Ed Meador of Hie Kama and takes the ball over from the two-yard line for a Green Butfolo 38, Denver 21 Kansas City 27, Son Diego 17 Miami 29, Houston 21 Sunday. Jan. 1, 1967 AFL Championship Kansas City at Bullalo Dolphin fans had little to tion is the greatest quarterback shout about In the first half, I who ever played." 1.