Monarchs Marked by Cougars

Unable to maintain momentum, Valley remains winless for season.

Nick Santoni

Issue date: 10/19/05 Section: Sports

The atmosphere at Monarch Stadium was so pumped up for the game with the Southwest College Cougars. The usually barren bleachers were half-full. Even the audio accompaniments for the game improved - the broadcast booth had a multitude of new songs to cue up for the hopeful fans. But, the team would sing an ever-familiar song on the field.

Unable to keep any momentum when the team appeared on the verge of getting something started, the Monarchs sputtered again in a 35-17 defeat, bringing their season record to a dismal 0-6.

Afterward, the players and coaches had a combination of disappointment and frustration written across their faces, perhaps none more so than head coach Jimmy Sims. The sound of his voice confirmed the obvious.

"We're all hurting, we're all disappointed," said a downtrodden Sims following his team's sixth straight loss. "I'm not going to use the team's youth as any sort of excuse, but it is what it is. No one feels the failures of this team more than I do."

The Monarchs were down 20-3 at the half, as the Cougars' running game got established. Running back Darryll Crummie ran in two touchdowns-one from 21 yards out, the other from 25. Plus, Aaron Huntly got involved, diving in from one-yard out before the half ended. The Monarchs' lone score was a 31-yard field goal from place-kicker Christian Guardado.

"The defensive-line got too low," said Monarch Defensive-captain Bryant Barrientos on containing the Cougar offense. "A lot of guys quit the team, and it has taken a toll on our energy. We're just trying to stay together, and be a family. This is a rebuilding process for next year."

Meanwhile, the Monarch quarterbacking duties were split between Freshman Troy Jackson, and Sophomore Corey Jones. Each quarterback brings a different angle to the Monarch offense - Jackson content to stay in the pocket, Jones more adept to scramble his way out of pressure. But the Cougar defense was too strong for the Monarch offensive-line to contain. Jackson and Jones were hurried the majority of their possessions. Jackson had more trouble this game than any other all season. While he was able to complete 16/28 passes for 176 yards, he seemed to lack comfort behind his line, intercepted three times and sacked twice. One particularly big sack sidelined Jackson for good midway through the fourth quarter. He was unavailable for comment after the game.

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