Monarch vs Flanagan

[STARaiders2014]

A monster game for Broward County football at the 8A level. Flanagan fresh off their 49-28 W over Coral Springs gets a well rested and dangerous Monarch team. Flanagan lost their stud LB Devin Bush to a broken wrist last week which is going to hurt them I think.

Monarch has had the chance to send their coaches to that Flanagan/Coral Springs game and scout Flanagan a little more. I thin that could help the Knights a little more than people think.

I think this is going to come down to how well the Monarch defense can contain that high powered Flanagan offense which is easier said than done. Just ask Miramar and Coral Springs. Even though Miramar only let them score 27, that was a down game for the Flanagan offense. 

In the end I am taking Flanagan in this game they seem to be playing some excellent ball right now and thats who I am going with. Flanagan by 14. 

[BrowardHandicapper]

This should be the most competitive game in Broward Friday night.  The loss of LB Devin Bush will indeed hurt Flanagan and was exposed a little bit with Coral Springs attacking the gut(middle) successfully on a few drives.  Bush also called the defensive formations, adjustments, audibles etc....these are hard shoes to fill. If you get a second check out Bush's Hudl highlights online - he epitomizes what a LB should be.

Giving up 28 points to Coral Springs was not what most expected but if you factor in the Bush injury and consider Coral Springs offensively has been pretty strong this year...they actually put up over 500 total yards, and had more first downs vs Monarch last month but found a way to lose 70-31. If this was Flanagan's defensive hiccup this year it was minus their best defensive player and against a pretty good offense.

I have watched a few Flanagan games this year and they have looked solid offensively but what impressed me most is when they really needed to turn it on (such as vs. Miramar and Coral Springs second halves) they can dice a team up pretty good.  The Falcons eventually found a way to move the ball against a stout Miramar defense and he will do the same vs. Monarch.

Monarch got the fortune of going into this game rested .  Outside of a triple overtime 6 turnover loss to Dillard three weeks ago,  they have been a buzz saw all year. Monarch got a glimpse of what Flanagan will bring Friday night and the loss of Bush will make this a closer matchup....But I think in the end you are right STARaider2014, Flanagan is down defensively but their offense will be stronger then anything the Knights have seen all year.  The team that wins the turnover battle will likely win this game. 

Both teams are well coached and I think this one is a barn burner with Flanagan coming out on top by 3 in the end!

[STARaiders2014]

I saw the full game on NFHSNetwork.com and you could tell Coral Springs was gutting Flanagan right up the middle several times. Almost like there was nothing they could do to stop it.

I wouldn't be shocked if Monarch won either, they are a solid team. Underrated in my opinion really. 

[BrowardHandicapper]

The absence of Bush Jr was surely exposed . When he went down at that game, everything just went silent on the Flanagan side.....Tough shoes to fill.

 

But Coral Springs was an underrated team. Not quite say a Hallandale but arguably a sure top 10 team in Broward...  Keep in mind Coral Springs QB (Bofshever) was a transfer from St. Thomas, threw for 1867 yds and rushed for 535 yds this regular season.  Springs averaged over 30pts a game , had @ Hallandale on the ropes (lost 28-20), beat and passed for 428 yards vs. Cardinal Gibbons, and again had a 17-16  first down edge with 524 total yards, put up 31 pts. vs. Monarch.  The only other team to score more than 14 vs. Monarch was Dillard in triple OT. (Dillard had a 6X-0 takeaway advantage but Monarch dominated the box score otherwise) . Coral Springs problem all year was their defense . More specifically (having seen a couple games) just poor tackling in the secondary.

[STARaiders2014]

I remember hearing about that transfer. Glad to see him doing well over at Coral Springs! I think and this is not a knock on Flanagan at all but if Coral Springs' defense was a bit better I think that game is a nail biter down to the wire. 

I do agree though they have been underrated all season long. 

[BrowardHandicapper]

I agree.  Flanagan essentially won the game with big plays (kick return TD, Punt return TD, INT return TD) -same way Monarch beat Coral Springs....

[BrowardHandicapper]

Just of note....Two Monarch players - Shawn Burgess-Becker and Calvin Ridley were both selected to the Under Armour 2015 Game Roster.  Very good accomplishment to make this prestigious event.  Even more impressive to have two players from the same school on the roster.

[STARaiders2014]

Just of note....Two Monarch players - Shawn Burgess-Becker and Calvin Ridley were both selected to the Under Armour 2015 Game Roster.  Very good accomplishment to make this prestigious event.  Even more impressive to have two players from the same school on the roster.

Awesome and congrats to them! Has Monarch ever had anyone from their school go to that game before? If so I cannot remember. 

[BrowardHandicapper]

Not to my knowledge STARaiders2014.  Monarch has only been around since 2004 and not sure when the football program began.   Both players are Alabama bound.

[STARaiders2014]

Not to my knowledge STARaiders2014.  Monarch has only been since 2004 and not sure when the football program began.   Both players are Alabama bound.

Wish they were Miami bound . I think their program started up in 2004 as well. Excellent accomplishment for the young men and their school! 

[BrowardHandicapper]

Rumor has it going into this game and in the local newspaper, social media etc... Monarch Coach Calvin Davis and players had been calling out Flanagan and there players as overrated, had not beat anyone( not sure what he is talking about?? who the he11 has Monarch beat???) , getting undeserved attention and surely not as good as his Monarch team.  Flanagan Head Coach Devin Bush Sr.  and his players did not reply negatively but preferred the silent treatment all week.  The Falcons did their talking on the field.  Flanagan, coming off a 21-7 halftime lead came out a little flat in the 3rd quarter the tide eventually turned in the second half.  Monarch had a 25 mph wind on their back which helped them tie the game at 21 with a little over two minutes to go in the 4th...Throughout the game Flanagan appeared to begin to put the the Knights away but 15 penalties for 160 yds did not help...nor did the PA or should I say DJ (extending) blaring music whenever Flanagan had the ball and was driving.  The home cooking was in full effect as it was last year when Flanagan faced Deerfield on this same field with identical weather conditions.  Deja vu? This game went to OT like last year.... In OT Flanagan scored first right up the middle but the extra point was blocked by Monarch.  Could it be?  Is this going to be another hard post season ending loss for Head Coach Devin Bush Sr.  and his Falcons?  Now, facing one of the most potent offenses in the state in the Monarch Knights, 4th and Goal with inches to go....the Flanagan Falcon Defense absolutely gang sacked the Monarch QB and fulfilled the OT goal line stand. Flanagan prevails 27-21.

 

Considering the loss of the Falcons top Defensive Player Devin Bush Jr just 1 week ago this was a great win for Head Coach Devin Bush Sr.  and the Falcon program.   Coach Bush told the local newspaper (SunSentinel) after the game 'They got lucky. They shouldn't have even been here. Miramar should have been in this spot.  The referees helped them. They were talking all week in the papers and it is different when you take the field with the Dirty Birds. They couldn't handle the pressure.  The whole D stepped up tonight. '

 

Neither team went through post game handshakes and the Coaches did not shake hands after this hard fought battle.  You gotta love a newborn rivalry!  I have been drinking the kool aid for both of these teams the entire season and they unfortunately got in each others way.  Even without Devin Bush Jr. I think the slightly better team won tonight. Flanagan will hit the road again next week @ 12-1 Wellington who defeated Palm Beach Gardens 16-10