Tuesday, May 16, 2006

I've posted some photos from the recent tournament. Wish I could have taken more, but was kinda busy running around:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/monumentstournament/

Monday, April 03, 2006

Touring the Monuments:
All aboard the new format:
  • Our first stop: Its been a while since I posted, and while the blog has been at a standstill, the football has continued. We've seen the emergence of Brandon as a weapon on offense and defense. We've seen AllScott's religious conversion as he runs his new offense -- crosses and prayers. We seen great catches from Jay (and near misses too). We've seen Charlie continue his good hands streak. We've had Brokeback jokes and Uncle Bobby jokes, and a slew of close games. With Spring here, it looks like there will be games for the foreseeable future.
  • On your left: What's next? How about a Spring Tournament. 4 teams, 28 (+) players, 2 weeks. Over the weekends of April 23th and Arpil 30th, the Monuments are going to have their own Tournament, as they break up into 4 teams, and play for the championship over the course of 2 Sunday. 4 Captains have been chosen (or drafted) and players will be divided up soon. Check in here for your brackets and to follow all the action. If you're interest in playing, and haven't spoke to Charlie yet, e-mail him at monumentsfootball@gmail.com.
  • Please keep your hands inside the tram: This weekends recap brought to you by the Gazelle: It was fun but both games were blowouts...first one we kind of expected because of the lineup but the second game was much more evenly matched up -- me, tony, Trainwreck, dan on one side and burton, Jay, Patrick, that guy who's a beast on the rush, and Joe. We shut them out 36-0.
  • Last Stop on this tour: Welcome to the new format. I try to be better about posting weekly. I will certainly be posting the tournament action here, and through the summer.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Snow day leads to Snow Bowl

---------------------------------------

North Pole News Service
---------------------------------------
On a snow covered field, 11 football warriors, true champions, stepped up to the challenge.

On a day where the snow was the big topic, there was only one name on everyone's lips: B-R-A-N-D-O-N.

The young man who has flashed talent, but mixed it with inconsistency, came up big on Sunday tying the modern Monuments record with 4 TDs.

Playing 5-5 with a permanent defender, White and Dark played a wide open game with lots of long strikes. The aforementioned Brandon did not show the same prowess on D against the formitable Gazelle, as Charlie burned him deep and often.

With 6 defenders the game proved to a mix of high powered offense -- long bombs to Madona (a tip off this perminant defender's hands), Charlie, Brandon,, short passes turned to long runs (JJ, Brandon, Charlie), and a nifty run or two by the ever craft Tony Stewart -- and stout defense with several 4th down stops.

The snow was cold on the feet and slowed the game down for both defenders and offensive players alike.

In a close game Dark beat White 32-26, as this permanent defender intercepted a sure touchdown from Trainwreck to Dan to end the game on White's last drive.

Game Notes:
Despite the snow, the weather was quite temperate.

The Fairy Snow "FLAKE" award (as voted on by the players who actually showed up) was presented (in abstencia) to Jay and Patrick who RSVPed but didn't show up -- guess those beds were warm and comfy.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006


A star is born.

Daly goes in for a TD

3 I think, no 4.

Which TD is this 3 or 4?

The ball is my friend, the ball is my friend.

Friday, February 03, 2006

Gay Quarterbacks shine in return: Suspected gay quarterback wins games
-----------------------------------
Outsports.com News Service
-----------------------------------
It was a day or returns, as Trainwreck and Alscott interrupted their winter hibernations to return to action. It was a day where 3 days where played before 1:30p. It was a day where Tony Stewart showed why he's the best gay quarterback.

On another temperate winter day, the first game started off with a bang as the Gazelle showed the importance of special teams play and field position, bringing back the opening kickoff 45 yards and giving the Dark team an easy opening drive. Operating with his usual efficiency, Tony quickly moved the Dark team into a score throwing to the ever reliable John Daly. A lofted pass in the back of the end-zone to this reporter and two quick feet on the ground provided the 2-pt conversion.

White struggled to get its offense going. A quick read by this reporter led to an interception off of Jay, a a toss to Charlie led to a touchdown on the return -- 14-0 dark. The Dark dominance would continue as a rare Tony defensive interception off of Jay, a 40 yard bomb by Dan to Madonna, and a knifing run through the defense by Akchai for a TD put Dark clearly in the driver's seat up 20-0.

With the game going against them, Dark turned to its two returning quartebacks to lead them back.

With his 40th birthday looming, none of the Monuments knew if Jim had anything left in his right arm. Missing the last few weeks only fueled the speculation that he was not aging in Uncle Bobby like fashion. Yet, when the time came, Trainwreck led a methodical 20 play drive down the field, moving the chains in 5 yard increments scoring appropriately enough on a short middle crossing play to Patrick -- a 2 pointer to a crossing Robert made the score 20-8 Dark.

Then it was best gay quarterback Alscott's turn. After weeks of inactivity, the question on everyone's mind could his arm live up to his mouth's hype. With Dark's defense preparing for a short middle passing on-onslaught, Alscott showed why there's always a giggle in his throat, striking deep over the middle to Jay for a one play TD drive of 60 yards.

Now the game was on, with Dark's 20 point lead reduced to 6 in a matter of two series.

It was the closest that White would get. Dark's offense when into overdrive, and it was the little man Akchai who had his foot on the petal. Scoring his 2nd TD of the day on a long bomb from Tony, then turning around and intercepting a Jay pass, Dark never looked back winning the first game 34-14 in about an hours time.

For the second game, the teams were repicked.

Alscott continued his magic intercepting a Jay bobble on a swing pass, and taking Tony's pass back to pay dirt. All the Monuments stood around with mouths agape at the quickness of the play. The play fueled the rumors that Alscott had spent the last several weeks in Narnia (to avoid testing) stocking up on Turkish Delight.

Unrepentant as all good Quarterbacks (and Gays) should be, Tony came right back leading his White team to a TD with a long pass to Greg.

Despite late-comer Mike strong rush Dark was able to move the ball downfield culminating in a Patrick-Jim TD connection. Dark's 2-point dreams were crushed by Uncle Bobby's quick break on the ball.

The second game moved along at the same quick pace as the first, a long TD to Jay made the score White 16-Dark 12. Like in the first game, that was as close as Dark would get to Tony Stewart. Tom caught a long TD to make the score 24-12. Dan threw to to Jim (who despite his age) proved himself to be a dangerous receiver to tighten the game again to 24-18.

But Mike's strong rush finally turned the tide in White's favor. As Alscott cockily dropped back to pass, Mike's ferocious pursuit terrified the Mr. Tumnus like QB (his eyes were as big as.... well you can fill in the blank without my help) who threw the ball errantly up for grabs and into the waiting hands of Jay for the int.

Tony feeling confident that he had Dark's defense down, led White in a no-huddle offense that culminated in a 20 yard TD to Kirk. With the game on the line, I ran what I thought was a decoy route, not expecting the ball, I looked up after looking to see if the ball had gone to the primary receiver only to see the ball was about to hit me in the hands.

Final score 32-18 White. Despite the triumphant return of Alscott and Trainwreck, the continuing magic of Tony led the way as the second game finished by 12:30p.

Game Notes:
The record third game finished too late for this edition, though highlights included Charlie chicken winging his team's way to a touchdown. Charlie also had his first drop in 8 weeks. The first two games were both played 8-8 with subs. The third game was 6-6.

Friday, January 27, 2006

Turnabout fair play as White and Dark split
--------------------------------------
DC Monument News Service
--------------------------------------
On another beautiful winter day, the Monuments played two games which showcased the balance between the players and emphasized anything can happen in any game.

In the first game, White jumped out to a 6-0 lead, helped by a Sheldon interception and a key first down by Kenneth -- back from his good will tour of Italy.

Dark came back on a long run by Milo, and Tony throwing a pass to the corner to Patty Mac. Converting the two point conversion, they took an 8-6 lead, and the game looked like it would go back and forth -- it was not to be the case.

White dominated the game scoring the next 24 straight points. Sheldon making a run for Rookie of the day, took a short pass 45 yards for a touchdown -- showing off a nice spin move on the way.

Dark drove down to the goal line, but Stewart's drive stalled. On 4th down with a tough rush in his face he threw a rare interception to the waiting hands of Jay (momentarily off Patrick), who took the INT back 101 yards for another White touchdown, 18-8 White.

Turning the ball over on downs, White took advantage with an opportunistic run by Danny C -- making his run for best gay QB with Alscott's disappearance. Made the score 24-8, White.

Dark seeking some spark, brought in Burton in relief. Charlie "Hands" Salem, made the nicest catch of the day snagging a Burton pass out of the surrounded by White defenders. Again it was a Jay interception that ended Dark's comeback attempt.

The game ended unceremoniously 30-8 White.

Looking at their chance for revenge, Dark refused to re-pick teams. Taking the opening drive Tony tried to redeem himself riding Burton to a quick touchdown 8-0 Dark. White never got things going. Their offense stalled as QB's revolved in and out never getting into a good rhythm. Charlie led White's defense which proved up to the challenge all day long.

The only blemish was a 40 yard TD scamper by this reporter to make the score 18-8. There was no comeback in this game either, as Tony Stewart playing at his usual high efficiency marched down and finished the game 24-8.

The two games showed the strength of all the Monument players, and highlighted the fact that on any given play a new hero can be born.


Thursday, January 19, 2006

Dark beats White as arctic wind rages
--------------------------------------
DC Monument New Service
--------------------------------------
On a day where the wind blew more gays than Uncle Bobby on Gay Pride Weekend, 14 Supreme Football Jocks showed their mettle by battling it out on a frozen field.

With cones being tossed across the field, it was the orange field paint that saved the day allowing both White and Dark to mark the ball as the two teams played for dominance. In a game that played closer than the score, the wind was a constant factor, twisting throws and throwing off timings.

Dark took the kick off, and had to move the ball into the wind. With Tony Stewart taking the first set of snaps, Dark's offense failed to complete a pass and looked totally ineffectual turning the ball over on downs.

White took over quickly moved down the Dark team's one yard line. Then a pass thrown into the endzone bounced off of Dark's Delaware Greg's head and into Milo's hands for the first, but not the last rebounded interception of the day. Milo's attempt to return the INT out of the end zone was thwarted when he slipped on the ice that was once dirt and grass.

With a second chance, Tony Stewart capitalized throwing deep over the middle to Dan "Best Gay Center" Cipullo who raced straight to paydirt.

That opening dance was a step the teams repeated throughout the hard fought game. White's triumvirate of QB -- Uncle Bobby, Steve Adamske, and Brandon either would throw an early interception or drive their team into the red zone only to throw a late interception. The Breeder had three picks on the day, one off a tip by his teammate the Gazelle in the endzone to stymie a White drive.

Dark's offense used both short passes and big plays to score -- Milo down the sideline, with a quick bobble as Brandon came up just short on his break on the ball, Charlie zig-zagging across the field running 70 yards sideways to score 40 yards forward, finally Charlie on a bomb.

Brandon was the only White QB who converted in the Red-zone scoring their only 6 points of the day and breaking a 18-0 Dark run.

The the score 26-6 -- Jay's Patrick gave White a last chance with an interception off the Gazelle's hands. But keeping with the theme of the day, White gave it right back as the Gazelle sealed his MVP day with a nice break on the ball for an INT to add to his 2 TD's.

Though the final score 32-6 seemed lopsided, the game was much closer than that, if not for a couple of tipped passes and bad wind aided throws, the score could have been much closer.

Game notes: Cutest moment of the day was Patrick hooking up with lovey Jay on a nice medium pass. The game was played in 15 degree wind chill at start time, the coldest game day of the year so far. The wind was quite impressive, almost no cones were left standing by game's end, scattered across the field. Only one game was played as most of the players were off just after noon to watch the playoffs.



Monday, January 02, 2006

Good game, bad weather greets Monuments in New Year
No shows don't ruin tight game
--------------------------------------------
DC Monuments New Service
------------------------------------------------------
A wet day with light rain, tempuratures hovering around 40 and a muddy ground could not dampen the enthusiasm of the Monuments who showed up to play just one day after New Year's Day. The 11 players: Charlie Salem, Uncle Bobby, Adam Strasberg, All-Scott, Tony Stewart, Brandon, JJ, Tom "Madonna," Patrick McIntyre, Dark Shane, Mark Milo all Iron Men -- showed up despite the weather and their still lingering hang overs to put on a football show.

Playing 5-5 with a perminent defender changing sides, the Dark team led by QB Tony Stewart and Charlie Salem jumped out to a 20-0 lead. Salem had two early interceptions and a touchdown on out and run -- making his usual early run for MVP. Things looked bleak for the White team as Gay Quaterback Tandem contenders All-Scott and Uncle Bobby could not move their team downfield. There were rumbling of starting over and new teams.

All-Scott in particular seemed to be pressing. Upon learning that Best Gay Quarterback rival Dan Cipullo would not be playing, he boldly proclaimed, "Even when he's here, he not here." Despite or possibly because of those comments, Dark's defense seemed to keep both the dimuative and octagenerian quaterbacks bottled up.

With the game slipping away, in desperation White turned to Tom "Madonna" to lead them. Casting aside the ball control offense that had so far failed them, Madonna turned to an old friend the long bomb. Quick strikes to Adam and Mark Milo put White on the board and back in the game 26-14. White started back along the comeback trail.

With so few players, the game would be played to 36 points. With the Dark team up 34-20, White's chances seemed slim until their defense steped up.

As if stuck in the mud they were playing on Dark's offense seemed to stall under pressure from White's tough D. With some key drops Tony Stewart seemed to be struggling to put the ball in perfect spot.

All-Scott steped up, making a run for Best Gay Linebacker, defending several passes, and droping an near interception after making a beautiful break on the ball. Playing a tough man to man "D", White locked down Dark -- stoping Dark on four straight series as they crawled and scrapped their way back into the game.

Again it was the long ball with another bomb from Uncle Bobby (the mad bomber) to Adam, and downfield strikes to Tom "Madonna" that moved the ball. The venerable quarterback would show his Michael Young like moves later sprinting in for another touchdown.

White closed to 34-32, when Tony could no longer be contained. two quick runs, and a short 3 yard pass to JJ put them up and over 36, 40-32. But White had the last chance, nothing less than a touchdown and 2-point conversion would do it. Like a cat with nine (or 90) lives, Uncle Bobby pulled a miricle out of his..um hat. Under pressure, throwing back to Tom "Madonna" who tossed the ball 40 yards to Milo who streak for the touchdown.

But White's gun didn't have any more bullets left in it, as Uncle Bobby's 2 point converstion was easily knocked down by Tony to give Dark a hard earned 40-38 victory. All in all a good start to the new year.

Game Notes: Kirk could not make it to the games despite his RSVP because of a "out of town guest." The LA Motion (the Gay team in LA) had their game cancelled this weekend due to rain. Despite pleading with Charlie earlier in the week to play football on Monday, Patrick slept in and tried to weasel out of showing up -- he did eventually show up.