120 lbs Monarchs Knocked Off

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....