Hurricanes Teach Monarchs a Harsh Lesson

The blast was sudden and devastating . But it didn't force a quick evacuation of partisan Hurricanes fans from Baynard Stadium in Wilmington DE. They actually stuck around and watched the Hurricanes punish the Monarchs and hand them the worst defeat in team history since losing to the Olney Gators 40-0 back in 2005. Yes, the Monarchs 2011 playoff bubble burst at the clenched hands of the No Limit Hurricanes who pinned them 46-0.

From the effects, the Monarchs suffered no apparent permanent damage and shed little blood. Just a dream. We had some kids crying and upset on the sideline as the game was ending said Monarchs skipper Greg James. But it happens. What can I say. I know anytime you make the playoffs and are trying to win the "CHIP" there is going to be disappointment when you finally lose. But hey, we are young team and still learning. And truth be told, nobody expect us to be here. Nobody expected us to come this far. And, the score might not indicate it tonight, but we got a good group of kids and I'm already excited about next year.

The 'Caines baffled the Monarchs from the door. They came out in a hurry up offense and dominated the contest from start to finish. They racked up 34 point in the first half and another 22 points in the second half. They scored at will and never let up even when the game was clearly out of reach. "Heck", I still think they are out there running plays one Monarch parent stated on the ride home.

I knew we were going to have our hands full Coach Greg said after the game. But 46 points is a little ridiculous. There kids. At some point in time you would figure that the "Caines would let up, take there foot of the gas or maybe even take some of there starters out Coach Tone said. They chose not to. I mean they have 20 something players on there roster. I lost a lot of respect for that organization today. I thought we was better than that. But I'm not going to complain. I'm not going to file a grievance with the league as per PWLS (Pop Warner Little Scholars) Rules. We will take this one on the chin because my philosophy is this "What comes around goes around". We will be back. Believe that...

MONARCHS TURN BACK STEELERS IN RAIN

The final pulsating seconds were slowly ticking. It was late Wednesday night, a school night, and the rain was coming down off and on for the entire night. The Monarchs were in the First State "Delaware" and fighting for the fourth and final playoff spot and a rematch against the league "King Pin" Eastwick Dragons. It was fourth down and goal for the league newcomer the Hard Knock Steelers who trail 13-6. They lined up in shotgun formation and snapped the ball. It sailed over the quarterback's head. Three Monarchs chased him and boom it was over. The battle tested Monarchs turned back the Steelers and sent them on a permanent winter vacation.

I felt pretty confident going into tonight game Monarchs skipper Greg James said. I watched the film from the first game three times straight. I saw nothing on film that posed a threat except #44. He was clearly there best player but he never ran up the middle. He only ran sweeps. So we changed our defense to "40 Special" and tried to take away the outside. It worked for us tonight. Bottom line.

At first, though, the Steelers threatened to take most of the fun out the game as they capitalized a mistake by Monarchs signal caller G. Rhainey. He turned right and the Monarchs backfield went left. G. Rhainey subsequently pitch the ball right into the hands of #44 of the Steelers. He caught the ball in the air and was off to the races as the Steelers sprinted out to a 6 -0 lead.

But from then on, the Steelers attack stalled. for which much credit must go to the Monarchs defense who was led by S. Pratt, A. Richardson, E. Muse and E. Gleplay. As usual, it became psyched providing source of motivation from which the offense could draw. And with about seven minutes to go in the first half, the offense came through. First it was half back E. Muse on a 60 yard toss. Then it was powerful fullback K. Wilson Jr. who burst up the middle. Both plays resulted in touchdowns giving the Monarchs a 13 - 6 advantage.

During half time, the kids kept telling me that they are keying the full back. So, the objective in the second half was to give the ball to the half back and run out the clock. We have more than one weapon back there Coach Tone said afterward. And if it wasn't raining, we would have went to the air because on film, the Steelers did not respect our passing game. They just pin there ears back and rush in like fools.

With the win, the Monarchs earned the 4th seed in the league playoff which begins Saturday. They will play the Eastwick Dragons in a rematch from last Saturday's contest wihich the Dragons won 19-0.

Dragons Not Tripped up By Monarchs

In terms of futility, few streaks could match the Dragons versus the Monarchs. And for the forth time in four years, the Monarchs found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard against the Dragons as they dropped a hotly contested and turnover plagued ballgame 18-6.

We just could not get it done today Coach Greg said after the game. We just can't get this monkey off our back too. And I don't know why? The Dragons are what we thought they were. They are an average Pop Warner team. Period... But this type of losing hurts. Its gets to players. It grinds them down and can put players in a mental state where they expect to lose. But we will regroup Coach Tone added. We will learn from this and move on to Levittown next week.

The Dragons offense struck quick. They scored on a run off tackle on there first possession and on a bomb on there second possession as they bolted to 12 - 0 lead in the first quarter. The young Monarchs appeared to be reeling and trying to catch there breath, until C. Grinnage scored on a one yard plunge up the gut to make the score a respectable 12-6 at halftime. The two teams exchanged turnovers in the third and fourth periods until the Dragons siege control late in the fourth. The Dragons were on the move and close to the end zone when there fullback appeared to cough up the football. But, an inadvertent whistle by there referee reversed the fumble. The Dragons retained possession and scored on there very next play from scrimmage with less than two minute remaining in the game.

He (referee) blew it Coach Greg shouted after the game. My kid clearly yanked the ball out the Dragons players hands and was well on his way to the end zone before the referee blew the whistle. The Dragons know it, the referee's know it, I know it and anybody who was at 7th and Cedar knows it. I'm not worried about the Dragons. All they do is blitz the "A" and the "B" gap. We well see them them jokers in the "Chip" in two weeks when it counts and we will be ready I guarantee it.

Ground Level - Monarchs vs C.A.T.S

Monarchs Get Rude Awakening at Chester...

Sometimes a team can't catch a break all game. Sometimes a team can't make the most out of the breaks they get. That was the case for the Monarchs last night as they settled for a 13-13 tie in a non league contest against the Chester Panthers from the Delco Football League. Simply stated, as self assured as the Monarchs looked in their 26-6 pasting of the Hark Knock Steelers two weeks ago, they looked like kids on the corner waiting for the light to change against the Chester Panthers.

I am not pleased at all Coach Greg barked after the game. Matter fact, I'm totally dissatisfied. I loathe ties. How is it that, in a battle, you can say let's throw our weapons away and call it a tie? The Monarchs resembled that remark. They through there weapons away. And now they have a symbol of apathy to show for it in the standing. There record is now 3-0-1.

Coach Greg did not edit his sighs. We stunk tonight. That's all. Period. We did not execute. We did not make the most of our opportunities. We simply made too many mistakes. And these mistakes were not in one specific area. We had breakdowns in all three phases of the game (Special teams, Offense and Defense). We live and die in all three aspects of the game. "I feel sorry for them (Chester)," Coach Greg added. They played an excellent game. They were hungry, more determined and they should have won.

Offensively, the Monarchs were led by half back S. Zeon (13 carries - 75 yards) and tight end L. Cambridge (2 receptions - 40 yards - 2TD's). The normally high octane and high powered Monarchs offense was slowed down by three fumbles and an interception on the goal line. The timing was off and they just looked rusty Coach Tone said. The two weeks off absolutely killed us. We was supposed to play Levittown last week. They called us for a game then they subsequently back out stating they need to rest there kids. Go figure???

Next week in the season finale, the Monarchs host the league "KING-PIN" the undefeated Eastwick Dynasty Dragons. They dislike us. And we dislike them. Coach Gene said. Why??? Cuz they got "Big Heads" ova there on 69th and Grovers Ave. They have let a little bit of success go to there head. There not all that...

Game time next week against the Dragons is as follows:

75's - 10am

105's - 12 Noon

135's - 2:00pm

160's - 4:30pm

Come out and support the Monarchs..................

Monarchs Grind Out Victory Over Regulators

It's a good thing that the Monarchs don't care about style points. If so, few would have been handed out after a 6-2 home win over the Upland Regulators. Truth be told, it was an ugly game from an offensive standpoint Coach Greg said but the only thing that matters is that we got the "W" and pushed our record to 2-2. Bottom Line.

The Regulators looked sharp the first nine minutes of the contest and managed to keep the football for the entire first quarter. They drove deep into Monarchs territory but failed to convert on a fourth and goal. The young Monarchs subsequently took over on downs but were ineffective as the visitors forced a three and out situation inside the Monarchs ten yard line. However, instead of punting, Coach Greg opted to take a safety which gave the Regulators a 2-0 lead. I took a safety in that situation because about five years ago we lost in the championship against the Cats because we failed to execute a punt. The decision didn't appear to payoff at first because the Monarchs and Regulators were in a defensive battle up until three minutes left in the 4th quarter. That's when powerful fullback K. Wilson Jr. took a dive 60 yards up the gut for the game winning touchdown. We caught them blitzing in the "A" gap Coach Alex said and we had the right play called at the right time. Fortunately, it worked out for us today Coach Gene added.

For K. Wilson Jr., the touchdown was bitter sweet. Two weeks ago he had the football stripped out his hands as time expired against the Hard Knock Steelers. That play resulted in a touchdown. Couple that with a "Hitting an Unprotected Player" call by the referee and the end result was the Monarchs loss 12-6 to the Steelers. Never the less, he redeemed hiimself today.

Defensively, the Monarchs forced three interceptions. S. Pratt, M. Saccoh, and R. Doe each had a pick while E. Muse, T. Davis and B. Parker also helped contribute to keeping the Upland Regulators offense in check the whole day. The Monarchs 105's have a bye this week and will finish up against the mighty Eastwick Dynasty Dragons. The young Monarchs will try to end a three year organizational losing skid against the Dragons at home on Oct 15th. The Dragons enjoyed a lot of success the last couple of years but they got some "Big Heads" over there on 69th and Grovers Avenue Coach Greg said. Someone has got to burst there bubble. They talk way too much.