Now that's more like it!!!

Was it the killer practice on Monday? The film session on Thursday? Who knows, all I know is that was some vintage, rockem-sockem Monsoon football on Saturday!!! The team was firing on all cylinders right from the opening whistle, and didn't let up until the final seconds when we scored the final points to finish the best overall game so far 38-0. Offense was a step or two better this week, and moved the ball pretty much at will. There were three turnovers,however that did stop some nice drives. Defense was awesome as usual, with two safetys, and I don't think we allowed a single first down all game!!
Overall a great effort, and a nice bounce back from a very flat performance the week before. Great job Fellas!!!
4-0 Monsoon rolls on!!!

Man that was UGLY!!!

And I mean UGLY, with a capitol "UG" !!!
In contrast to last weeks game, this week was almost a disaster. Battling a team we all thought would be a cupcake, the Wolves turned out to be anything but. Our defense played almost their usual stellar game, but the offense just couldn't seem to find their rhythm until that one drive in the 3rd quarter when we finally did score, sealing the victory 8-0. We had a tough practice on Monday and a busy hectic week ahead, all our boys need to get their heads right and be ready to play another tough opponent this Saturday.
Once again thanks to the Tafoyas and the Holmbergs for this weeks pics. Don't forget to scroll down to see some more from the game!!!
P.S. please become a follower of our blog, and make a comment to let me know how I'm doing!!

WOW!!!

That is what I said, WOW!!!
With a start that completely ran the spectrum of emotions, the opponents score on the first play from scrimmage, and an awesome kick return for a score for us, this game was all we could ask for and then some!! As we suspected, the Falcons were a big, hard hitting team that is well coached and very talented. They gave our team a great battle on every snap of the ball. Once the fireworks of the opening seconds were over, both teams settled down for some good smash mouth football. The first half had no more scoring with both teams unable to get much going on offense. The second half was pure vintage Monsoon football!! The offense moved the ball steadily down the field and consumed much of the clock. There were a couple of missed opportunities, but overall, an excellent performance resulting in the second touch down of the day. The defense really stepped up on several occasions in the second half. The Falcons put together a nice little drive only to be denied again and again by our smothering play. Then with little time left, our offense got the required yardage to run out the clock and seal the victory 12-8.
Every single player should be proud of their efforts on Saturday. While some players stand out by scoring touchdowns, making interceptions, or just being in high profile positions, never ever forget that without all of you men in the trenches, none of that could happen, period. That's what makes the Monsoon such a great TEAM! Great game by all!!!!!

P.S. Thanks again to Fred and Jackie Tafoya, and also to the Holmbergs for pics this week. Be sure to scroll down past the post to see more pics from both games so far!!!!

It wasn't pretty...

Well it definitely wasn't a thing of beauty but, a win is a win and that is what it was!!!
The team looked sluggish in the first half, and some mistakes were made. But there were also some fine plays. The second half was "Monsoon football." As usual the hard work and determination displayed in the first 3 weeks of practice payed off in the fourth quarter, when, despite the extreme heat, our team had what it took to finish strong and pull out the victory. This week we face our old nemesis the Falcons, and with a shortened practice on Monday night, and many of the team feeling sick this should be a great challenge. Lets keep our men hydrated, well rested, and ready for a full and excellent practice on Wednesday night, and I am sure we will be able to give the Falcons all they can handle and then some, for our second victory of the season.
Remember, all you parents out there with cameras, please send me your pics so I can include some of them here. Thanks again to Fred and Jackie Tafoya for this weeks pics

Two down...

Another week over, and looks like all the fun was had by little brothers and sisters!!! Chase, Tommy, Kylie, and Brynn (l-r) managed to find a massive mud hole and much fun ensued!! The team had a good week of practice, it started out kinda slow, but the boys picked it up to finish the week strong. Many of the boys got banged up this week, which is somewhat normal for the first week of full contact, and with the weekend to recover I'm sure they will all be ready to go again on Monday. There is only a couple weeks to go before the first game, time to get excited!!
As always please feel free to e-mail me your pics, and please leave a comment, Thanks!!!

Week 1 in the history books

Wow Week 1 is finished and now we can get down to the real fun of football... Hitting!!!
The first week is always hard on the boys as well as the coaches, all that running and conditioning, and well just boring stuff. But as we all know, many a game has been won in the fourth quarter when our team was still going strong and the other guys were out of gas!! This first week also gives the coaches a chance to see who has what, and what position each player will be best suited for. We have a lot of players this year and plenty of strong competition for each and every position, with a bunch of new faces thrown in. I think the team looks better than ever!!
Be sure to check back every week, and please leave comments, even if it's just to let me know that you were here!!!
A special thanks to Fred and Jackie Tafoya for the pics this week. My new job as water boy will greatly limit my photo taking, so any of you out there who can, please send me your pics each week so I can put them up!!! Thanks again for looking!!!

GO MONSOON!!!!

Can't you smell that smell?

Ahhh...
Football is in the air. Went to the first Strength of America football camp this past week, and yes my friends, football is in the air!! Several of our team were there to get started for the upcoming season, get the blood flowing, the kinks of winter worked out, get up off the couch, and start the hard work to have another awesome season of Monsoon football!! It was great to see the boys, (should I say young men) and the parents and coaches, Makes me all the more excited for practice to begin!!
A special thanks to Coach Bob and his staff at Strength of America for their hard work and dedication to put on these camps and his generous sponsorship of our team throughout the years. I know coach Thompson always urges us all to participate, and I can tell you these camps are very reasonably priced and the boys work very hard and reap real benefits from Bobs coaching techniques. There is still time to get in on the next one so log on to the Strength of America web site http://www.strengthofamerica.us/ and get signed up!! We will see you out there!! Remember...43days, 12 hours, 58 minutes until tackle football practice begins!!!

Can't wait!!!

Even the Gods want football to start...

Can you believe the crazy "Monsoon" weather we had on Sunday??

76 Days, 5 Hours, 15 Minutes until practice!!!

Academic excelence

The school year is coming to a close, and football practice is getting closer and closer. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize several Monsoon players who have achieved academic excellence this past year. These scholar athletes have maintained a 3.8 GPA and above for at least the past 3 semesters. This is no small feat since I know all are involved in other activities as well as their school work and of course football. The players are, Kenny Armijo, Gary Smith, Bubba Thompson, and Cody Manning. I apologize to any I may have missed. Great job men!!! Keep up the good work!!!

90 days
3 hours
38 minutes
I can't wait for practice to begin!!!

Breaking news: Jordan Fickas also acheived academic excelence this year. Way to go Jordan!!!

Anybody out there???

Hey everyone, 153 days 4 hours and 31 minutes until MONSOON Football begins!!!!

Season ending party

Well gang the 2008 Monsoon season has officially come to a close.
I for one am sad, as always, to see it end. Not only do I enjoy watching my boy play, but also the friendships and sense of community that comes along with our Monsoon family. Being part of this organization is truly a unique experience, which our family is proud to be part of.
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all the parents for their kind words throughout the season regarding the Blog. I really enjoyed doing this and I am already missing it!! I would also like to thank the Coaches for all their hard work and dedication to our team. Also, a very special thanks to Coach Mike and Carrie, without you there would be no Monsoon. You guys are AWESOME!!!
Finally, I would like to thank the players. You guys are great!!! I have known many of you for several years and some just one season so far, but all of you inspire me every day. I see your hard work and dedication on the field and the way you conduct yourselves off the field. I just want to say thanks for the ride. I can't wait to see how you guys turn out!!!

In closing, I just want to ask....Who's House?????
Check out the link below to the web album of the Season Party.

Playoffs Game 3 vs Falcons

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the grey twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat" Theodore Roosevelt

What a run!!! Another fantastic season of Monsoon football has come to an end. While the end result was not what we had hoped for, a trip to the "final four" for the second year in a row and an overall record of 9 wins to just 2 losses is still an awesome season, something all the boys, coaches, and parents should be very proud of!!!
Looking back over the season there are many more highs than lows, the growth in ability, skills and fortitude throughout the season have been impressive, our young men are growing up, the bonds of friendship and team work are helping to shape the men they will become. It is extremely difficult to see the boys like they were after the game Saturday, but like coach Thompson said that just shows they care. This is an extraordinary group of young men that I know will go far in whatever they decide to do with their lives. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every player for all their hard work and dedication, throughout the season, and to congratulate them on a heck of a good season!! And a special thanks to our coaches, who put in countless hours to help our sons become better players and give them all a little piece of themselves. I know I will never forget their tireless efforts, and I'm sure the team won't either.
Now for some fun... I think it would be fun to have every parent reflect on the season in a personal way, try to pick your favorite moment, play or whatever about your kid this season. Mine is easy, this is Cody's 5th year in football, but the first time he has scored a TD. And it came in the first game!! I'm pretty sure I was more excited about it than he was!!! OK parents your turn...

Playoffs game 2 vs Bombers

HOLY COW!!!
What a great game!! Our boys really played with heart, determination, and the desire of champions this past Saturday to win over a very tough opponent in the Bombers.
Kind of a weird game, with a nice interception for a TD called back for what looked like a questionable penalty call. Then their only score coming on a fluke play. Then what was one of the nicest drives our offense has put together all season we matched the score, only to miss the point after attempt to send the game into overtime. Then our defense held them on an awesome goal line stand in overtime with some spectacular hits. And in fine Monsoon fashion we jammed the ball across the goal line to win 12-6. It was truly great to see how our boys reacted to adversity these past two games. Like I said before, we didn't have much to go on as far as how they would play after a loss, or like this Saturday, after being behind late in the game. Now all our questions have been answered, this group of young men have what it takes to be champions on and off the field. Time for some great practice this week before we go into the Falcon's nest to claim it as "OUR HOUSE".

Playoffs game 1 vs. Vipers

Here we go!!!!

Awesome victory to start our playoff run 22-6 over the Vipers.

Really solid play on both sides of the ball. The offense with great play calling and excellent execution, moved the ball up and down the field at will. Some great blocking by the o-line, and tough running by all the backs led to some nice drives, many yards, and 3 touch downs.

And the defense!!! What can you say??? WOW other than that one hiccup (what was that??)

the defense was outstanding. I can only think of a couple of first downs allowed, other than that it was pretty much shut down time!!! Give credit to the Vipers, they played tough, and hit hard, but were no match for the Monsoon on Saturday.

Now it is time to get ready to play the Bombers who are UN-defeated so far this season.

It was great to see how our team played after some adversity, we haven't been able to see how they would play following a loss, but the effort put out on the field on Saturday silenced all those doubts. The hunger and desire has returned...

Onward, to the championship!!!!

MONSOON ROLLS!!!!!

PS. Leave some comments, let the boys know how you feel!!!!

Don't forget to scroll down to see more pics!!!!

Game 8 vs. Superstition Falcons

Well here we are, uncharted territory.

All weekend I have thought about what I could say on the blog...

I guess it is best to just go for it!!!

Our first loss of the season comes at the hands of a very good, tough, and extremely big football team. We all know, and Coach Thompson has said many times we are an "older lighter" team, and on Saturday the Falcons were obviously a "younger bigger" team. And even with that, were it not for a couple of very UN-timely turn overs that resulted in two of their touch downs, our boys held their own and did a great job overall. They were unable to convert on any of their extra points and if not for the previously mentioned turnovers we could have won 8-6.

But now is not the time to dwell on it, but time to get busy and prepare for the first round of the playoffs. Many times a defeat can be used as a motivator. I heard Coach Thompson tell my kid

"what good did going UN-defeated do us last year?" We have two weeks to prepare for the next opponent, and now is the time to lace 'um up and play some Monsoon football!!!

Onward to the Championship!!!!

Game 7 vs. Gilbert Bruisers

WOW!!

What else can I say?? WOW!! What a game.

I would say that was the best competition we have faced so far this year.

Good smash mouth football from both teams for the whole game.

Much like last year, our team had superior conditioning and desire to win and continued to pound away until they finally took it to the house!!

Then our awesome defense held out for the final few minutes to seal the victory 6-0

On to next week and the final regular season game against the Falcons.

They are also UN-defeated and have a very similar record and power point total.

Our boys will need to prepare for another very tough game and be ready to play come Saturday.

P.S.

I am sure you all got the e-mail from the Henry's regarding Jay.

Jay is one of those players many of you may not know right off. He is a player who doesn't get a lot of fan fair, doesn't get yelled at in practice or games because he is a solid player who always gets the job done. We missed your good solid play on Saturday Jay, so get yourself healthy and get back out there. We need you buddy!!!

Game 6 vs. Rio Salado Pumas

Another week, another resounding win!!!

Monsoon rolls on 31-0

Again a great effort by both offense and defense, another shut out for the "D", and I think coach Mike was purposely being very conservative with his play calling to set up the second half , but a spectacular kick return by Josh #28 to open the second half, kinda put the skids on that!!!

The next 2 weeks are against very tough opponents, our boys will need to rise up and play tough Monsoon football to head into the playoffs with that coveted #1 seed.

Onward to the championship...

Don't forget to scroll down for more pics, also be sure to leave a comment!!!

Desert Ridge Homecoming

On Friday evening several of our Monsoon players (and future Jaguars) got all painted up to show their support for Christina Smith who was in the running for Queen. For those of you who don't know, Christina is the daughter of Coach Gary and Irene, and is a big supporter of Monsoon football doing a lot of volunteer work behind the scenes. Even though Christina didn't win the title, she had the loudest cheering section and she and Tommy were the best looking couple by far!!!

Game 5 vs. Ironmen

Five down Three to go!!!

Another decisive victory on Saturday for our Mighty Monsoon!!!

From the very get go this week it was all go, smash mouth football. No waiting around for half time or any of that business, the boys came right out ready to play, against a much better team,

but still no match for our dominating defense and clockwork offense.

The last couple of minutes of the first half was definitely the most exciting football so far this season. A truly mighty goal line stand with some inspired play by the defense, and then some awesome play calling and execution by the offense, to make it some 90 yards for the score just before the clock expired. There was no looking back in the second half as our boys posted a resounding 24-0 win. On to our next opponent and our last away game before playoffs.

On a side note: Did any of you see all the cars in the parking lot with "Beat Monsoon" painted all over them?? Cody and I got a big old kick out of that!!!!

Don't forget to scroll down for more pics!!!!!