Bootleggers

Note: Most of the information here is from the Empire League's Official Website.  I've edited out irrelevant content and added some pieces of information (usually in parentheses), some of which was provided (with much appreciation) by the EFL's Deputy Commissioner.

The EFL moved to 3 divisions and 12 teams for the 1988 season. The Marlboro Shamrocks moved over from the Eastern Football League and a new team called the St. Lawrence Bootleggers from Ogdensburg joined the league.  However, before the start of the season, the Bootleggers moved from Ogdensburg to Ottawa, Canada (due to their field agreement being cancelled) and the Utica Giants dropped out... 

The EFL played with 11 teams from New York State, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Canada. Even with all of these teams, the Scranton Eagles remained undefeated and defeated the Ottawa Bootleggers for (their) first international championship game. 

1989 marked the EFL's 20th Anniversary with 8 teams; Scranton, Syracuse, Watertown, Albany, Johnstown, Glens Falls, Hudson plus the...New England Crusaders. ...The Ottawa Bootleggers decided to try their luck with an independent schedule.  Ottawa did succeed to remain in the top 5 National Rankings and went on to the Minor League Football Alliance National Championship Game where they were defeated by the Racine (Wisconsin) Raiders by a score of 15-13 in a snow storm in front of approximately 6200 people. 

In 1990, the addition of Montreal increased the league to 9 teams...Scranton defeated Albany in the EFL Championship Game. Scranton went on to play in the Minor League Football Alliance National Playoffs where they defeated #1 ranked Ottawa and the Brooklyn Mariners on their way to the National Championship. 

In 1991, the EFL added the Newburgh Raiders and the Plattsburgh Northstars. The Ottawa Bootleggers returned from their independent schedule. Scranton defeated Montreal 14-0 in the EFL Championship Game at Scranton; Scranton went on to the MLFA National Playoffs and were defeated in the 1st round by the Marlboro Shamrocks. 

The second year team from Newburgh went on to win the playoffs and the EFL Championship.  Newburgh had finished the regular season in 2nd place and after defeating Ottawa, in a very close playoff game, moved into the Championship Game. Newburgh tried its hand at the post season National Playoffs but lost to the Marlboro Shamrocks. 

The EFL continued with 11 teams in 1993 but did however, lose the Ottawa Bootleggers as they closed their operation this year.

Regular Season Results
1988: 6-3-1*
Head Coach: Mike White

Jul 23rd: Hudson NY Vikings 00 @ Bootleggers 39         W

Aug  6th: Scranton Eagles 38 @ Bootleggers 16           L
Aug 13th: Bootleggers 21 @ Watertown Red & Black 07     W

Aug 20th: Bootleggers 31 @ Binghamton 07                W

Aug 27th: Bootleggers 14 @ Schenectady Chargers 13      W
Sep  3rd: Bootleggers 10 @ Johnstown Colonials          L 
Sep 10th: Bootleggers 17 @ Scranton Eagles 47           L
Sep 17th: Binghamton Jets 00 @ Bootleggers 31           W 

Sep 24th: Watertown Red & Black 06 @ Bootleggers 37     W

Oct  1st: Johnston Colonials 02 @ Bootleggers 32        W 

Oct  8th: Syracuse Express 17 @ Bootleggers 18          W

Oct 22nd: Bootleggers 07 @ Scranton Eagles 14           L

*Note: The tie was an exhibition game.

1989: 10-0  Lost the MLFA* championship game to the Racine Raiders 15-13.

Jul 15th: Watertown Red & Black 00 @ Bootleggers 43     W

Jul 29th: Brooklyn Kings 13 @ Bootleggers 16            W
Aug  5th: Baltimore Bears 20 @ Bootleggers 44           W 

Aug 12th: Chambersburg Cardinals 06 @ Bootleggers 37    W

Aug 26th: Bootleggers 28 @ New Jersey Cougars 27        W 
Sep  2nd: Frederick Falcons 13 @ Bootleggers 35         W 

Sep 16th: Chambersburg Cardinals 06 @ Bootleggers 43    W 
Oct  7th: Albany Metro Mallers 13 @ Bootlegger 14       W

Oct 14th: Baltimore Rams 00 @ Bootleggers 28            W

Oct 29th: Syracuse Express 00 @ Bootleggers 41          W

Nov 19th: Marlborough Shamrocks 19 @ Bootleggers 30     W

Nov 25th: Brooklyn Mariners 14 @ Bootleggers 42         W

1990:  9-0  Lost to the Scranton Eagles in the quarter finals. 

Head Coach: Greg Marshall

Aug 11th: Brooklyn Kings 14 @ Bootleggers 31          W
Aug 18th: Bootleggers 29 @ Watertown Red & Black  00  W

Sep  1st: New Jersey Oaks 12 @ Bootleggers 25         W
Sep  7th: New England Crusaders 12 @ Bootleggers 42   W
Sep 22nd: Brooklyn Kings 00 @ Bootleggers 10          W
Oct  8th: Syracuse Express 06 @ Bootleggers 28        W
Oct 20th: Randolph Oilers 02 @ Bootleggers 23         W

Oct 25th: Montreal Voyageurs 20 @ Bootleggers 36      W 

Nov  4th: Marlborough Shamrocks 14 @ Bootleggers 17   W(OT)

Playoffs
Nov 17th: Scranton Eagles 31 @ Bootleggers 10         L

1991:  1-9

Head Coach: Larry Cates

Aug  4th: Bootleggers 00 @ Scranton Eagles 57           L
Aug 17th: Glens Falls Greenjackets 06 @ Bootleggers 08  W 
Aug 25th: Montreal Voyageurs 15 @ Bootleggers 09        L
Sep 14th: Bootleggers 00 @ Montreal Voyageurs 41        L
Sep 28th: Watertown Red & Black 27, Bootleggers 00      L

1992:  7-3 (1-1)
Head Coach: Larry Cates

Jul 18th: Toronto Raiders @ Bootleggers
Jul 26th: Bootleggers 19 @ Plattsburgh North Stars 13   W
Aug  1st: Syracuse Express 28 @ Bootleggers 13          W
Aug 15th: Bootleggers 19 vs Glove City Colonials 13     W
Aug 22nd: Watertown Red & Black 14 @ Bootleggers 17     W

Aug 29th: Bootleggers 07 @ Glen's Falls Greenjackets 13 L 
Sep  5th: Montreal Condors @ Bootleggers 
Sep 12th: Scranton Eagles 32 @ Bootleggers 48           W
Sep 19th: Bootleggers 35 vs Watertown Red & Black 20    W 

Sep 26th: Bootleggers 21 @ Syracuse 28                  L

Playoffs
Oct 10th: Bootleggers 26 vs Plattsburgh North Stars 07  W
Oct 17th: Bootleggers 14 @ Newburgh Raiders 19          L

*Minor League Football Association