Field Level - Monarchs vs 69th Street

S. Zeon bulls his way over a Wildcat defender. He later scored on a 30 yard touchdown run during the scrimmage.

Ground Level - Monarchs vs 69th Street

With the game well in hand, the Monarchs coaching staff was looking to make subsititutions during the recent scrimmage vs the 69th Street Wildcats. Our motto is "Everyone Plays", that's how your younger player gain experience.

Monarchs Teach 69th Street a Harsh Lesson

The blast wasn't sudden. It did not force a quick evacuation of partisan 69th street wildcats fans from there home field, didn't immediately leave there players among the unliving and scattered the pieces no further than a preseason loss. Yes, the 69th Street bubble burst at the clenched hands of the Delco Monarchs who yesterday pinned the Wildcats, 18 -6 in a outter conference scrimmage.

From the effects, the Wildcats suffered no apparent permanent damage just a little blood and maybe a bruised ego. I explained to the kids, prior to the scrimmage that teams from Bert Bell and the Delco football leagues do not respect our program. They do not respect Delaware Valley Pop Warner football because we are a fairly new league. So to us, Coach Greg said, this scrimmage was all about respect. Bottom line.

Things did not look good early for the Monarchs who looked visibly disturbed by the size of the Wildcats. I asked Coach Charles to check to see if we were about to play the right team, because from the naked eye, they were huge. There coach insisted that his team was the proper weight and that they had an "A & B" team. So at roughly quarter to seven the game began. The Monarchs look out of sync the first ten plays. We just could not generate any positive yards Coach Greg said. And when decided to go to the passing attack, they picked it off and took it to the house. That proved to be the Wildcats only score of the evening.

Next, the defense took the field. Then, the temperment of the game suddenly changed. The Monarchs got physical and started to rough up the bigger and stronger Wildcats. They appeared to unravel Coach Charles said. Our defensive schemes confused there offense linemen. They did not know who to block. That was the beginning of the end for the Wildcats.

On the Monarchs next offensive possession, they found there rhythm. The Monarchs scored on two separate occasions during the next ten plays. K Shuler scampered off tackle for a 20 yard touchdown run and S. Zeon galloped 30 yards for a touchdown three plays later. The defense took the field again and continued to pressure and force the Wildcats into mostly negative plays. One of the plays resulted in a fumble in which the Monarchs recovered. S Zeon was on his way to the house before the play was blown dead.

The defense looked great tonight Coach Greg said. It got us going big time. We got pressure from the entire defensive unit. It was just a great performance and a total team effort but we still have a few things to work on if we want to be a contender in our league. With teams like the C.A.T.S, neighborhood rival the Trojans, and defending league champ the Dynasty on the horizon, I refuse to let the kids get complacent. We still got a lot hard work in front of us but I think we will be okay.

The Monarchs 120's are scheduled to play the Blackhawks (Liberty Pop Warner) on Tuesday Aug 26th. The Blackhawks field is located at 11th and Cecil B. Moore avenue in Philadelphia.

Go MONARCHS!!!!!

Monarchs Receive Rude Awakening in the City

Yesterday, the Delco Monarchs, paid a visit to the Kingsessing Roadrunners as a part of a home and home agreement between the two head coaches and organizations. The funny about it this game is that it is starting to become a little bit of a rivalry between the two neighboring Pop Warner affiliates which are only separated by 5 or 6 miles but play in different leagues. We always welcome the work especially in the preseason Coach Greg said. And I knew they would be fired up because our 120's rough them up pretty good on Tuesday.

As expected, the Roadrunners came out very very aggressive while the Monarchs appeared to be a little flat. I don't think we adjusted to the tempo of the game quick enough. This was the general consensus of the coaching staff. I mean they did not do anything special offensively. They appeared to make some adjustments to our defensive scheme / pressure but to be honest, we just missed a lot of tackles and we loss gap control today. The young Monarchs were not focused. Bottom line. I'm not going to take anything away from the Roadrunners new assistant head Coach Charles said but they only had three good plays from the line of scrimmage. And, on one play which resulted in a touchdown, the score came against our second team defense unit. We stopped them dead in there tracks and we dominated them on the line of scrimmage all evening long. They know it and we know it. That was evident, when the Monarchs had a first and goal inside the five and scored on the next play from scrimmage. Everybody at the field knew we were running the ball and they could not stop J. Pickens who plunged in from a yard out.

For those who want to keep score, the finally tally was the Roadrunners 18 and the Monarchs 6. I'm not going to sugar coat anything Coach Greg said after the game. We won the battle and they won the war. But, I saw a lot of good things and a few bad things all of which are correctable in practice.

Speaking of practice, the Monarchs resume practice Saturday at 11:00am for the 120 & 160 pound weight classes. Please note the Monarchs 120's are on the road against 69th street Wildcats tomorrow night under lights on 69th Street Blvd (accross from the Pathmark) . And the coaching staff has a surprise. CAN U SAY ALL PURPLE??? Yes, the Monarchs will be sporting the there 2208 new look tommorrow. Shout out to Thane C. Martin, CPA for the donation.

GO MONARCHS!!!!!

Monarch Defense Shut Down Roadrunners

Yesterday, the Kingsessing Roadrunners from Liberty Pop Warner (Philadelphia) paid a visit to the Delco Monarchs. On this relatively cool summer evening, things heated up pretty fast between these two organizations. From the first play from scrimmage, I knew my kids were ready Coach Greg said. They gave me this look in the huddle like lets get it on. From the naked eye, the Roadrunners appeared to have a few kids a little heavier than the 120lb pound weight limit. But since this was preseason scrimmage, I chose not to bring out the scale. Everybody has a few heavy kids in the preseason. Plus, it all boils down to heart, desire, and the will to win.

Led by W. Womack, N. Baker, S. Zeon and K Cryor, the Monarchs shut down the Roadrunners power I offensive attack. We scrimmage them last year, Coach Greg said. So I had a pretty good idea of what they like to do. They line up and run right at you, then they try to pass. It's smash mouth football nothing fancy. Also, I was pleasantly surprised by my defensive linemen. They pretty much controlled if not dominated there gap assignments. We had good pursuit, there was a lot of gang tackling and we caused quite a few turnovers. Our defensive really got after it today.

The offensive was led by S. Zeon who carried the ball 5 times for approximately 50 yards and 1 touchdown. We looked sharp on offense our first ten plays from scrimmage but then after the touchdown, we seem to sputter a little bit. So, its back to the drawing come Wednesday Coach Greg said. We got exactly two days before we travel to the always dangerous and always talented 69th Street Wildcats of the Bert Bell Memorial Football conference. With the win, the Monarchs 120lb team raised there preseason record t 2 -0.

Go Monarchs....

Monarchs vs Jaguars

The Delco Monarchs kicked off there 2008 preseason football schedule by hosting the Conestoga Jaguars who are a unofficial new member of the Delaware Valley Pop Warner Football League. The Moose aka Penn Wood Middle School's Athletic Field was packed with parents, former Monarch players and spectators who came out to support the home team. I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout Coach Greg said, especially for a scrimmage. We usually don't get that many people out there for a regular season game. But I guess after five years of existence, maybe we are finally turning the corner with our program. We are not the new kids on the block anymore Coach Jamil said. Youth football in the William Penn School District / Delaware County has a new option and its the Delco Monarchs.

As far as the scrimmage goes, there were a few obstacles. The head coach of the Jaguars indicated that they were bringing there 90 and 160 pound football teams. However, when they arrived, we noticed that they were significantly bigger than our children. Thus, we brought out the scale which is highly unusual in a scrimmage. Once we got the Jaguars ages and weights checked it turned out that there 90 pound team was actually a 120 pound team by Pop Warner Rule. Thus, our 120 pound team played instead of our 90's and they did not disappoint.

Lead by first year quarterback K. Shuler and powerful running backs S. Zeon ( 4 carries, 40 yards) and K. Cryor ( 5 carriers, 55 yards, 1TD) the Monarchs pounded out a 6-0 victory over the visiting Jaguars. We pretty much had our way with them today Coach Greg said. Our offensive linemen, A. Perez, L. Cambridge, T. Harmon, J. Barbley, and N. Klawah were opening up big holes all afternoon. Defensively, we looked a little out of sync in our base front but first year Monarchs, W. Womack and D. Small kept the visitors scoreless and in check.

The Monarchs 120's will face a little bit more stiffer competition this week. On Tuesday, the Monarchs will host the Kingsessing Roadrunners and on Friday the Monarchs will visit the powerful and always talented 69th Street Wildcats of the Bert Bell Memorial Football Conference. Both games are scheduled for 6:30pm.

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The 160 pound team's scrimmage was a little less meaningful. Unfortunately, the game was halted at the midway point due to the extraordinary amount of trash talking between the players after each play. That's one thing we are absolutely not going to tolerate Coach Greg said after the scrimmage. However, prior to the stoppage, I did see a couple of things I liked. While our offense looked a little out of sync, the Monarchs defense looked solid. Safety J. McMillian delivered a crunching blow to the Jaguars quarterback and there was a lot of gang tackling going on out there today. Big hits are momentum changers, but love gang tackling Coach Greg said.

The Monarchs 160's preseason football schedule continues on Thursday with a visit to the Kingsessing Roadrunners (6:30pm) who are located on 49th and Kingsessing Avenue. Also, we received a call from former league foe the Bensalem Cowboys and they are interested in setting something up on Saturday.

Go Monarchs....

INSIDE MONARCHS FOOTBALL

The pads are on and the hitting has begun at Monarchs football practice 2008. And according to Coach Greg, the competition is starting to heat up. Friends are now becoming enemies once the pads come on and that's how it should be. Why??? Because hitting separates the young men from the boys. Everybody looks good in shorts & spikes.. Everybody looks like a football player. But once you put the pads on the mind set changes. Once you get knocked down only one or two things can happen: 1. You get up and inform your opponent that you will return the flavor on the next play or 2. You stay down and inform your parents after practice that football is not the sport for you. Hopefully, the player will lean towards the first scenario but I know I will lose a few kids. Its just the nature of the beast. My advice to any young player or first time player is that everybody at some point in there life was scared. And its okay to be scared. Its what you do and how you react when your scared that makes the difference.


Highlights:

1. K. Ward delivered a great form tackle on K. Cryor ( I have not seen a tackle like that since my high school days at Penn Wood high)

2. J. McMillian ran over J. Coker during a tackling drills. ( I know Mr. Coker is ready & waiting for the opportunity to redeem himself. That's just the type of player he is. He's a competitor)

3. A. Quiah does not have anybody big enough or strong enough to tackle him. That should change this week with the scheduled return of B. Siv & J. Pickens. ( This is a must see event)

4. D. Small (a first year player ) vs T. Harmon and AJ. Perez ( Now there's a battle.. Mr. Small appears to brings it on every play )

5. K. Cryor attempting to block I. Antwi ( Are you kidding me??? I tell you, Mr. Cryor has a big heart and is not afraid )

MONARCHS PRACTICE PLAN...

BE THERE.

BE THERE ON TIME.

LEARN WHAT TO DO.

LEARN HOW TO DO IT.

PRACTICE HARD & FAST.

BE A TEAM PLAYER.

MONARCHS DEFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY 2008

Our entire defense is based on the theory that we will force the opponent to excute uder extreme pressure and confusion. Our objective is to pressure and confuse the opponent by stunting and moving our defense, while maintaining consistent fundamentals so we do not give up the big plays. We will be committed to stop the run and control the pass, never letting our opponent dicate our defense. We must force the opponent out of their game plan, thus preventing them from having a consistent offensive attack. We want to force negative plays by confusing the offense and create turnovers by physically assaulting them with our style of play. We want to play our defense with extreme intensity, discipline and aggression. We want to intimidate our opponent with our style of play.

The trademark of our defense will be our relentless pursuit of the ball and our hard hitting gang tackling style. We will swarm the field with great passion, desire and enthusiasm. We will take pride in being sure tacklers. We will never stay blocked. Our pursuit is probably the most important trait of the Monarch's defense. We will be in better condition than our opponent and we will play until the end of the whistle. We will play hard for forty minutes from the first whistle to the last. We will take pride in winning the fourth quarter. The harder the game gets the more we like it. We enjoy and look forward to the battle and we will win the war! Great pursuit eliminates long TD's (The Big Play) and discourages our opponents from wanting the ball.

Football is a hitters game. Big hits are what makes this game great. To make a big hit is the most satisfying part of the game of football. We will have eleven defensive players on the field that love and seek contact. Big hits do a lot of great things for our team. The most important thing is it separates the person from the ball. TURNOVERS will do more for the success of our defense than anything else. Creating will be our number one objective.

Lastly, we must play together as a team. We must have a love for each other and put the team goals before everything else. We must have players with great character and create an environment that brings out the best in each other instead of accepting the worst. We must have an unselfish attitude and hold each other accountable to sacrifice for the team. THERE IS NO "I" IN TEAM.

GO MONARCHS......

Parent / Player Check List 2008

Coach Jamil gives instructions during game against the Dynasty.

PARENT / PLAYER CHECK LIST 2008

1. Copy of Birth Certificate
2. Copy of 2007 / 2008 Final School Report Card
3. Copy of latest Physical Examination (Dated May of current year or later)
4. Parent Consent Form (Will be sent home with player on 7/18/08)
5. Emergency Contact Form (Will be sent home with player on 7/18/08)
6. Registration Form (Will be sent home with player on 7/18/08)
7. Early Registration Fee $75.00 dollars (if paid in full by June 30th)
8. Regular Registration Fee $85 dollars (if paid in full by July 31th )
9. Late Registration Fee $100 dollars (if paid on or after Aug 1st )

Players will not be allowed to practice or play with the organization after August 9th if registration fee is not paid and / or the above information has not been received. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!! and NO PERSONAL CHECKS!!!!

FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT NEEDED

1. Thigh, Hip, Knee and Tail pads (Adams) Cost = $12.99
2. Black practice pants & jersey (Adams) Cost = $30.00
3. Mouthpiece Cost = $1.50
4. Black Cleats Cost = $35.00
5. Shoulder Pads Cost = $65.00

Please go to Modells during Monarchs team week for all you equipment needs.

***** A limited amount of shoulder pads will be provided to players by the organization if your registration fee is paid in full prior to August 1st. Shoulder pads & Helmet must be returned at the end of the season.******

Any questions, please leave a message by clicking the word "Comments" at the end of this post for: Coach Greg, Coach Mark, Coach Jamil, Coach K or Coach Darius

Football Mini Camp

In preparation for the upcoming 2008 football season, the Delco Monarchs have begun football mini camp which is held every Saturday from 2pm to 4pm at Penn Wood Middle School's Athletic Field which is located at 7th and Cedar Avenue in Darby, PA. This camp is open to all league members of Delaware Valley Pop Warner.

The Monarchs football mini camp is designed for new and returning players. Each player will be weighed to determine there Pop Warner weight / division classification and the players will be taught basic fundamental football drills, techniques, and concepts. Our goal / objective is to have our players better prepared when the football season actually starts which is August 1st. This camp is the real deal. It's not X-Box or playstation. Come out & learn how to play the game the right way.

If you have any questions, please contact Coach Greg at 215-688-7463.

Also, please note, the Monarchs are currently looking for additional coaches and volunteers. Anyone interested should also contact Coach Greg.

LET'S GO MONARCHS!!!!

Monarchs Boast "Defense & the System"

2007 was not a particularly good year for the Delco Monarchs organization as a whole. The midget team (160lbs) went 0-5-2 while the junior pee wee team went 0-6. It was the first winless season in the organization's five year history and it was tough season according to the coaching staff. But with a new year comes a new opportunity and a chance at redemption. The coaching staff has been hard at work this off season preparing for the 2008 campaign. "I think we are ready" Coach Jamil stated. Between watching films, attending coaching clinics, and talking to other coaches, I finally think we have the formula to get us back on track.

"To be perfectly honest, we took it on the chin last year. But I also think our players grew up and matured as football players". A lot of games were close and could have gone either way. A play here or there and maybe we get one or two. But at the end of the day, our kids competed and had fun and that's what this is all about. FUN...

As usual, the Monarchs will run a 4-3 defense which has reputation for being stingy around the league. The offense on the other hand, is a top secret, but rumor has it that the wishbone attack will be part of the offensive scheme. During my conversation/interview with the coaching staff it appeared that "MUMS" the word when I asked about the exact type of offense the Monarchs will actually run... Just come check us out... One of the coaches replied... It will be on display early and often during the preseason when the Monarchs scrimmage the following organizations: 1. Sharon Hill, 2. Collingdale, 3. 69th Street, and 4 Kingsessing. The Monarchs have also entered a Pre Season Round Robin Tournament at Fairmount Park with league foe the Panthers and the Aztecs and the Chargers of Liberty Pop Warner of Philadelphia. The tournament which is scheduled on August 16th should be very interesting considering the Philadelphia teams notoriously sleep on teams from Delaware County. CAN U SAY RESPECT!!!!!!!!

Why all the scrimmages you ask?? Coach Greg indicated that the Monarchs are trying to get there kids as much game experience as possible before entering Delaware Valley Pop Warner league play which starts September 6th against a yet to be determine league foe. STAY TUNED!!!

The coaching staff...

Football Preview - Spring 2008

NO PROMISES FROM TOP COACH....

Delco Monarchs head football coach Greg James knows he doesn't have the talent he had a year ago, so he isn't about to make any promises for this up coming season. Like most other coaches, all coach Greg wants to do - at least for the early part of the year - is to evaluate what talent he does have and what he can do with it.

"I feel that a good solid goal for this season is to go .500. We have a lot of players with limited experience, but we should be competitive" Coach Greg said. If we win at least half our games, I'll be happy, but we could still do better than that and I would not be surprised. We are hurting for experience but we have a good young team and certainly will be able to compete with the teams in our league. The other organizations know we always have talent and they respect our program. Honestly, if everyone comes back hungry, we get some good new players and we gel at the right time, I think we will do all right.

PLAYERS LOSSED:
Ayub Ferron, WR (Roberson), John Pickens, LB (Bok), Jay Harris, QB (Roberson), Sharice Tisdale, DE (Bartram), Edwin Seals, RB (Bartram).

PLAYERS RETURNING:
Tyreese Butcher (160), Kashif Scott (160), Brian Siv (160), Dwayne Harmon (160), Solomon Zeon (120), Joe Zanne (120),Leon Cambridge (120), Andres Prez (120), Nyile Baker (120), Jordan Smith (120), Tymir Harmon (120), Zamir Jefferson (120), Carl Porter (120), Darius May (90), and Shawn Newman (120), Desmond Kirton (90), Damere Douglass (90),Kameer Cryor (120), Eddie Thomas (160), Kameron Ward (90), Kaazim Cryor (160) Andrew Siv (135).

NEW PLAYERS:
Rodney Lockett (120), Michael Jefferies (120), James Spivey (135), Darrin Brown (120)

Note: The Monarchs are actively recruiting players, coaches and volunteers. Anyone interested should contact Coach Greg at (215) 688 - 7463 or click the word "Comments" at the bottom of this post and leave a message. Also, the Monarchs will have Mini Camps for football every Saturday from 2 to 4pm beginning in May 2008...

LETS GO MONARCHS.....

Football Trophies / Basketball Season

Football trophies will be available for all 2007 participants beginning on Monday November 26th at Penn Wood Middle School' s gym which is located at 7th and Fern Streets in Darby. Trophies will available for all weight classes at 7:00pm every Monday until the end of the year. All football equipment must be turned in prior to receiving your trophy. No trophy will be given to anyone who still has football equipment. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!!!!!

Also, the Monarchs will be holding tryouts for our 2007/2008 basketball program. If you plan on trying out for the basketball team practice starts a 6:00pm sharp on Monday November 26th. Please note, only 13 kids make the team and it is very competitive. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Barnes at 610-394-0325. Please note, there is a registration fee and all children are required to participate in the basketball fundraiser.

GO MONARCHS..............

Delco Tri County Monarchs Football Team

Monarchs 2007 Team Photo of the Junior Pee Wee & Pee Wee team...

Ground Level Monarch vs C.A.T.S

See Ya... Soloman Zeon takes another kick off the house as Tymir Harmon points were number one to the Monarchs fans.

Teammates Forever.....

Junior Pee Wee teammates Khalil, Godwin, Andres "AJ", & Adam pose for a picture during last week game against the Bensalem Cowboys. The Delco Monarchs Youth Organization, Inc. are more than just sports.

WE ARE NEIGHBORS.. WE ARE COMMUNITIES... WE ARE A FAMILY.... COME JOIN THE FUN...

Field Level - Monarchs vs Cowboys

Jay Harris, Ayub Ferron and Edwin Seals walk of the field after an another tough game. The Bensalem Cowboys defeated the Monarchs 14-7.

Ground Level Monarchs vs Cowboys

Ayub Ferron puts a move on the Cowboy's defender as Jaleel Smith watches.

Week Six Review

Jay Harris on the move and looking for a block against the Cowboys.

COWBOYS AVENGE AN '06 HEARTBREAKER

Yesterday, the Bensalem Cowboys paid there first ever visit to Penn Wood Middle School's Athletic Field aka the Moose and home of the Darby Monarchs. On there minds was nothing but revenge. In last season's contest the Monarchs slipped past the Cowboys with a late 4th quarter touchdown scored by the since departed Eric McClellan. Unfortunately, this year was a different story as the young and inexperienced Monarchs dropped another tough decision. The final score was 14 - 7 but the Cowboys blitzing 3-5-3 defense kept the Monarchs offense off balanced and out of sync all day.

As usual, the Monarch's defense led by Edwin Seals, Jaleel Smith, Jaleel McMillian, Ayub Ferron, and Jay Harris kept the game close. Edwin's interception return for a touchdown was the Monarchs only score and cut the Cowboys lead to 8-7. That's as close as the Monarchs would get as Bensalem's suffocating defense halted every Monarch's offensive possession. There defense was better than advertised Coach Greg indicated after the game. When I was scouting them, I knew that they played a pressure defense. All they want to do is blitz, blitz, and blitz. So, I put some new offensive wrinkles in thinking we could catch them blitzing. It worked momentarily but then they made some adjustments. That's what good teams do. I'm a little disappointed in our performance but the bottom line is we don't practice. Some kids show up and some kids don't. It makes it very hard to get things done when only 10 or 11 kids are present.