WELCOME to the Mason-Dixon League for the 2022 season. The League has been in continuous operation since 1978 and was reclassified from Class AA to Class AAA in 1988. Games are played under modified NFL rules using officials who have received special training in those rules.
The present teams represent four states. By seniority they are:
- Arbutus “Big Red”, Arbutus (Baltimore), MD. – 41st Year
- Virginia Crusaders, Hampton, VA. – 16th Year
- Palmetto Hurricanes, Columbia, SC. – 12th Year
- Baltimore Broncos – Baltimore, MD – 2nd Year
- Baltimore Chiefs – Baltimore, MD – 2nd Year
- DMV Raiders – Baltimore, MD –
- Maryland Cougars – Baltimore, MD – 1st Year
- DMV Defenders – Baltimore, MD – 1st Year
As a group, they represent one of the stronger memberships of any active minor league organization. Located just outside of Baltimore, the Arbutus “Big Red” have played since 1926, making them one of the oldest teams in the country. In 1996, one of our former teams was named AFA National Champion and in 1997, the Virginia Ravens played the Marlboro, Mass. Shamrocks for the AFA National title.
Our players have received national recognition such as being selected All-American by the American Football Association (AFA). Ron Meehan, former quarterback for the Big Red, was selected as the AFA Player of the Year in 1991. In 1994, Darryl Dugger, center for the Virginia Ravens, was selected as AFA Offensive Lineman of the Year. Rodney Baylor, Hampton Roads Sharks, was named the 1995 AFA Defensive Lineman of the Year. In 1997, Charles Allen, Offensive Guard for the Virginia Ravens, was named the AFA Offensive Lineman of the Year. Eight MDFL players were named 1998 1st & 2nd team AFA All-Americans, in 1999, five players were named and in 2002, the League had seven players named as 1st & 2nd team All-Americans. Joe Hand of the Jacksonville Raiders was named the AFA’s 2002 Gold Ball winner as Special Teams Player of the Year. The Virginia Mutiny was recognized as the AFA’s 2002 State and MidEast Regional winner and the Jacksonville (NC) Raiders were named the AFA’s North Carolina State Champions. The National Football Events named a total of 20 MDFL players to their 2002 All-American teams. The AFA end-of-season rankings listed the Raiders as # 8 and the Mutiny at # 11. In 2003, the AFA recognized 57 MDFL players as All-Americans. Minor League Football News honored several of our members with the following awards: 2003 Outstanding League of the Year; Comeback Team of the Year – NJ Broncos; GM of the Year – Sharon Jacobs – Cumberland Valley Cardinals; Woman of the Year – Mary Lockhart – Virginia Ravens. National Football Events recognized 11 MDFL players as 2003 All-Americans. The Minor League Football News again honored the MDFL with several teams and individual awards during the 2004 season: Assistant Coach of the Year – Rep Lampman (Storm); GM of the Year – Ray Scott (Monarchs); Running Back of the Year – Jawarren Cowles (Ravens); Owners of the Year – Hal & Mary Lockhart (Ravens); Come Back Team of the Year – Ravens and fourteen players from the League were named MLFN All-Americans. National Football Events recognized two MDFL teams in their end-of-year rankings – the Virginia Ravens were #7 in the national poll and # 2 in the Southeast Region while the PW Monarchs were ranked # 8 in the Southeast Region! In 2005, the MLFN recognized 8 MDFL players as All-Americans. National Football Events’ final rankings had the Ravens at # 7 nationally and # 1 in the Southeast Region while the PW Monarchs were ranked # 29 nationally and # 5 in the Southeast Region. In 2006, fifteen players were named as MLFN All-Americans. National Football Events’ end-of-year rankings had the Monarchs at # 21 nationally and # 5 in the Southeast while the Heat was ranked # 8 in the Southeast. MLFN ranked the Monarchs # 21 nationally and # 7 in the Eastern region while the Heat was ranked # 43 nationally and # 11 in the Southern region. In 2007, nineteen players were named as MLFN All-Americans. National Football Events’ end-of-year rankings had the Virginia Ravens ranked # 12 nationally and # 2 in the Southeast while the Virginia Crusaders were ranked # 13 in the Southeast. MLFN ranked the Ravens # 21 and the Crusaders # 44 in their Top 50. In 2008, 11 Crusader players were named MLFN All –Americans. The Crusaders were ranked # 16 in the MLFN Top 50; # 3 in the National Football Events Southeast Region and # 11 in the National NFE.
In 2011 National Football Events ranked the Rivermen # 19 in the Top 30 and # 3 in the Southeast, the Crusaders # 25 in the Top 30 and # 5 in the Southeast, and the Big Red were ranked # 13 in the Southeast. MLFN ranked the Crusaders # 14 and the Rivermen # 39. There were seven MDFL players participating in the Casino Bowl – 6 from Arbutus and 1 from the Palmetto SC Hurricanes. Charles Kirby (Arbutus) was named MVP for the 4th time – 3rd in a row! The Crusaders won the USA D1 National Championship in Daytona Beach, FL. Isaiah Wigfall was named MVP of the game. The Crusaders again won the USA Bowl National Championship in Daytona Beach, FL, and were crowned the 2012 Fall/Winter National Champions. John Washington was named MVP of the game. They were ranked # 8 in the National Football Events Poll. In
2013, the Virginia Crusaders won their third USA Bowl National Championship in Daytona Beach, FL, and were ranked # 5 in the USA Bowl and # 3 in National Football Events. The Crusaders repeated as USA Bowl National Champions (their fourth!) in 2014.
In 2002 the MDFL (16 teams) joined with the United (16 teams), Southern (10 teams), South Atlantic Minor (6 teams), and Appalachian (4 teams) Leagues to form the Eastern Football Alliance Tournament. League Champions would advance as well as the next 3 teams with the top power rankings. Playoffs began in November with three MDFL teams invited: the Virginia Mutiny, the Jacksonville Raiders, and the Raleigh/Durham Wolverines. In December of 2002, the Jacksonville Raiders won the inaugural championship game which was hosted by the United League in Richmond, VA, and were named the Eastern National Semi-Pro Football Champions. Kendrick Pollock, QB for the Raiders, was named as the MVP for the game.
In 2003 the MDFL had two teams competing in the tournament (Broncos & Ravens). The Middle Georgia Stallions of the Southern Football League were crowned the 2003 EFA Champions. The MDFL will serve as the host League for the 2004 Championship. The Cumberland (MD) Cougars will host the game in Cumberland, MD on December 4.
In 2004, the MDFL again had two teams in the EFA tournament (PW Monarchs and the Virginia Ravens). The Ravens won the EFA title and their running back, Jawarren Cowles was named game MVP.
In 2005, three MDFL teams qualified for the EFA tournament (Ravens, Monarchs, and Heat). The Ravens again advanced to the championship game but lost to the Conshohocken PA Steelers. Raven running back, Jawarren Cowles, was named as the Offensive MVP of the game.
In 2006, four MDFL teams participated in the EFA tournament (Monarchs, Ravens, Heat, and Storm). The Heat (ranked # 1) advanced to the EFA Championship but lost to the Conshohocken PA Steelers. Willie Harris was named the Heat MVP.
In 2007, two teams participated (Jacksonville Raiders and Virginia Ravens). The Ravens advanced to the championship round, losing 17-20 to the Atlanta Prime. Jawarren Cowles was named Offensive MVP for the Ravens.