The Delco Monarchs 120lbs team because of Hurricane Hanna opened there season on Sunday at Beverly Hills Middle School against the defending league champs the Eastwick Dynasty Dragons. The Monarchs got off to a good start taking the opening possession and marching 60 yards down field for the game's first touchdown. Unfortunately, the Dragons returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown and wiped out the Monarchs early lead. The Monarchs second possession stalled deep inside Dragons territory. After the change of possession, the first play the Dragons ran from scrimmage resulted in another touchdown to make the score 13 - 6. The Monarchs quickly regrouped and took there next possession 70 yards. The drive was capped off by a three yard plunge by Kameer Cryor which was his second score of the day. They went into the locker room tied at 13.
The contest went back and forth in the third period but no team managed to score. The first half of the fourth quarter started the same with the teams playing to a stale mate but the Dragons appeared to began to wear down the smaller Monarchs. They were big and physical and had more players in there rotation Coach Greg said. I thought there size was going to be issue after the weigh-in. They only had three players that did not make weight. The rest of there players were averaging 120 to 128 pounds with there equipment on while we (Monarchs) were tipping the scale at less than 110 per man.
The Dragons scored on there next two possessions to put the game out of reach late in the fourth quarter. The Dragons first score in the fourth quarter came on a frightful play. As the quarterback was being pressured, he stumbled but some how managed to regain his balance and find a receiver in the flat area. That receiver picked up a block down field and then scampered 50 yards for a touchdown. I thought my defensive player was clearly clipped Coach Greg said. All my players were complaining. But it was nothing I could do because the referees did not see it that way. We lost focus. The offense stalled on the next possession and the Dragons scored again to put the game out of reach. It was a dog fight for three and half quarters and for that, I'm proud of my kids Coach Greg said. The bigger dog won today. But we will be okay. It was learning experience for us especially after going undefeated in the preseason. Victories over Conestoga, Kingsessing, and 69th Street got there heads a little big. Now, I think we landed back on earth.
The Monarchs 120lb team will be on the road next week against league rival the Upper Darby Trojans. I know former Penn Wood High School teammate and former Monarch Coach Kwasi will be prepared for us. Especially since his kids were doing a lot of trashing talking. We will settle this on the field on Saturday.
Go Monarchs....
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Ground Level - Monarchs vs Matadors
Monarchs show sign of sportsmanship after routing neighborhood foe the Yeadon / Lansdowne Matadors 28 - 6 in the first ever meeting between the organizations. The Monarchs did not play the Matadors last year because they violated Pop Warner's boundary / territory rule. 90 lbs Monarchs Roll 28 - 6 in Season Opener
Answered is off to the races for his 2nd touchdown of the day.On a day in which Hurricane Hanna threatened to postpone the Delaware Valley Pop Warner season opener, the Monarchs and Matadors decided to play despite the game being officially postpone by league president Raymond Barnes late friday night. I received a call from Matadors president Ray Harris at 7:30am on game day but it was not raining Coach Greg said. And the weather report indicated that the worst part of the storm was going to arrive sometime after 2pm. So me and Mr. Harris decided to play. We contacted the referees and they were more than happy to officiate the game.
The Monarchs dominated the contest from the opening kickoff. And if there was any doubt the Matadors in there second year of existence could compete with the Monarchs it was quickly erased. The Monarchs behind by first year halfback Answered Gleplay scored early and often on the Del-Val Pop Warner new comers. He led the way on offense with touchdown runs of 30, 40 and 50 yards respectively. Answered also had a touchdown run of 95 yards but the play was called back due to a mysterious holding penalty. I'll check the tape, but I did not see a hold coach Greg said after the game. I just think the referees were trying to keep the score respectable.
Eugene Sheppard III started the romp with a 25 yard touchdown run in the first quarter. We just play smash mouth football first year Coach Gene said and the Matadors could not tackle us. Bottom line. Its just like Coach Jamil said last week, opponents are going to have a tough time tackling Answered aka "Lighting" and Eugene aka "Thunder", especially when the offensive line blocks like they did today. It was a total team effort but it started up front with Darius May, Kyle Mayo, Titus Davis, Chris Burke and Kirk Wilson. But what I was most impressed with about today's performance is how the kids corrected the some of the mistakes that they were making last week against the Cats. Although are one miscue resulted in a Matador touchdown I was very proud of these kids today Coach Greg said. And as usual, all are kids played. But more importantly, they gained some much needed experience. This will only help us in the future.
The show rolls on next week when the Monarchs 90lb team travels to original league member and rival the Upper Darby Trojans. They roughed us up pretty good last year because they were bigger than us not better then us Coach Greg said. So we are definitely out to return the favor. Big Time... And you can tell them I said it... See you at Beverly Hills Middle School.
Go Monarchs.....
The Monarchs dominated the contest from the opening kickoff. And if there was any doubt the Matadors in there second year of existence could compete with the Monarchs it was quickly erased. The Monarchs behind by first year halfback Answered Gleplay scored early and often on the Del-Val Pop Warner new comers. He led the way on offense with touchdown runs of 30, 40 and 50 yards respectively. Answered also had a touchdown run of 95 yards but the play was called back due to a mysterious holding penalty. I'll check the tape, but I did not see a hold coach Greg said after the game. I just think the referees were trying to keep the score respectable.
Eugene Sheppard III started the romp with a 25 yard touchdown run in the first quarter. We just play smash mouth football first year Coach Gene said and the Matadors could not tackle us. Bottom line. Its just like Coach Jamil said last week, opponents are going to have a tough time tackling Answered aka "Lighting" and Eugene aka "Thunder", especially when the offensive line blocks like they did today. It was a total team effort but it started up front with Darius May, Kyle Mayo, Titus Davis, Chris Burke and Kirk Wilson. But what I was most impressed with about today's performance is how the kids corrected the some of the mistakes that they were making last week against the Cats. Although are one miscue resulted in a Matador touchdown I was very proud of these kids today Coach Greg said. And as usual, all are kids played. But more importantly, they gained some much needed experience. This will only help us in the future.
The show rolls on next week when the Monarchs 90lb team travels to original league member and rival the Upper Darby Trojans. They roughed us up pretty good last year because they were bigger than us not better then us Coach Greg said. So we are definitely out to return the favor. Big Time... And you can tell them I said it... See you at Beverly Hills Middle School.
Go Monarchs.....
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
90lbs Monarchs Shut Out Cats
As far as openers goes, the Monarchs 20-0 romp over league rival the Cats will not go down in history but will not be grouped with other forgettable openers like last season pasting by the South Philly Hurricanes at 25th and Jackson streets. Yes, the 2008 edition of 90lb Monarchs showed why defense wins championships, though they may need some time to find there way on offense. However, you could not tell this by the first play from scrimmage when first year fullback Eugene Sheppard III took the hand off from first year quarterback Tayshon Harmon and rumbled 50 yards for his first career touchdown. Our fullback and halfback are huge coach Jamil said. The other kids have trouble tackling them in practice. So I know they are going to a problem for our opponents this year. We just have to work on getting them the ball and providing blocks to get them going.
On defense, the Monarchs looked sharp and appeared to be up to there usual stingy self. If there was a hiccup, it came late in the first quarter when the Cats halfback went off tackle for a 90 yard run. However, he was tackled by first year halfback / linebacker Answered Gleplay prior to reaching the end zone. That kid never quit on the play coach Jamil said. That's why we run wind sprints at the end of each practice. And it paid off because three plays later Answered intercepted a screen pass and took it 95 yards for the Monarchs second score of the day. In the third quarter, Answered intercepted another Cats pass and return the ball 40 yards for his second score of day which made the score 20-0.
It was a great defensive performance today Coach Jamil said but to be honest, I'm really happy for my kids. Especially after not winning a game last year. Its was a good way to start the season. Plus, we got the monkey off our back quicker then anyone anticipated. But, I stress to parents at the 90lb weight class, it's just a learning experience because most of these kids have never played organized football. So, we try to teach are kids the fundamentals of football and just let them go out there and have fun. The score is not important, we just hope our 7,8, and 9 year olds remember move then there opponents.
On Saturday, the Monarchs will travel to Lansdowne to face the Matadors for there first ever meeting between the two organization. As many folks know, these organization did not play last year because of Pop Warners boundary / territitory rule. It was a little bit of an ugly situation and it still has not been fully resolved but the major reason behind the dispute is that Matadors are recuiting kids from the same geographical location as the Monarchs. With teams such as 69 Street, Colwyn & the Monarchs all less than five miles apart it just did not make since to add another team to the area.
Note: Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at12 noon.
Go Monarchs...
On defense, the Monarchs looked sharp and appeared to be up to there usual stingy self. If there was a hiccup, it came late in the first quarter when the Cats halfback went off tackle for a 90 yard run. However, he was tackled by first year halfback / linebacker Answered Gleplay prior to reaching the end zone. That kid never quit on the play coach Jamil said. That's why we run wind sprints at the end of each practice. And it paid off because three plays later Answered intercepted a screen pass and took it 95 yards for the Monarchs second score of the day. In the third quarter, Answered intercepted another Cats pass and return the ball 40 yards for his second score of day which made the score 20-0.
It was a great defensive performance today Coach Jamil said but to be honest, I'm really happy for my kids. Especially after not winning a game last year. Its was a good way to start the season. Plus, we got the monkey off our back quicker then anyone anticipated. But, I stress to parents at the 90lb weight class, it's just a learning experience because most of these kids have never played organized football. So, we try to teach are kids the fundamentals of football and just let them go out there and have fun. The score is not important, we just hope our 7,8, and 9 year olds remember move then there opponents.
On Saturday, the Monarchs will travel to Lansdowne to face the Matadors for there first ever meeting between the two organization. As many folks know, these organization did not play last year because of Pop Warners boundary / territitory rule. It was a little bit of an ugly situation and it still has not been fully resolved but the major reason behind the dispute is that Matadors are recuiting kids from the same geographical location as the Monarchs. With teams such as 69 Street, Colwyn & the Monarchs all less than five miles apart it just did not make since to add another team to the area.
Note: Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at12 noon.
Go Monarchs...
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