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Quarterly report:
record: 1-3 overall record: 6-6

The Monarchs skid dangerously close to an early exit from the playoff hunt.

- London begins the second half of the season on the road, visiting the 1-7 Detroit Lions. After forcing two first quarter turnovers, the Monarchs squander an opportunity of their own when QB Matthew Avila is intercepted at the Detroit goalline. London finally breaks through in the second quarter when Avila connects with RB Victor X. Ebubedike for an 8 yard score, followed by a one yard TD run by RB Archie Daniels for his first score on the year. After trading field goals in the third quarter to go up 17-3, London looks to put the game away early in the fourth quarter. However, K Brandon Shah misses a 50 yard attempt, beginning to turn the tide for the Lions. Detroit needs just four plays to score on a two yard TD pass from QB Adam Benton to WR Claude Payton, recently acquired from the Shadow Dancers in a blockbuster trade, which suddenly cuts the lead to just 17-10. After forcing a London punt, Detroit again needs only four plays to cap an 84 yard touchdown drive when rookie RB Charles Minton breaks a tackle and runs 41 yards for a score, tying the game at 17. The Lions pass rush causes constant problems all game as Avila is sacked five times, four of them by RDE Brian Dyer. The Detroit defense intercepts Avila at the London 32 with five minutes remaining, and complete a 17 point comeback with a 32 yard field goal by K Wally Morris to take the lead at 20-17. London's next drive ends with another interception inside the Monarchs 50, and the final desperation drive finishes quietly with a four and out as London drops its second straight contest with a disappointing defensive collapse.

- Week ten features an AFC South showdown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against the division leading Roswell Invaders. Coming off a 38-0 shutout of the Wisconsin Blizzard in week 9, the Invaders offense moves the ball at will all game, but have to settle for field goals and lead only 6-3 at halftime. The Monarchs catch a break picking off Roswell QB David Montoya at the Invaders 42 yard line the second play after halftime, but still have to struggle before converting a one yard TD pass from QB Matthew Avila to WR Jon Horton on 4th down to take a 10-6 lead. Roswell pulls closer on the next possession, as K Douglas Mendiola's third field goal from 27 yards out cuts the lead to a single point at 10-9. Roswell appears poised to regain the lead, driving to the London four yard line, but a sack by DT Cameron Couch and an interception by CB Anthony Johnson at the London 10 preserves the lead. The Monarchs offense is unable to sustain any drives to milk the clock, as Avila is limited to just 85 yards passing on the day, despite never being sacked. That allows the Invaders to take the lead for good with Mediola's fourth field goal with less than five minutes remaining leading to the final 12-10 score, dropping the Monarchs into last place in the division at 5-5.

- In need of a win, the nervous home fans return in week 11 for a faceoff against the 3-7 South Brisbane Raiders. The Monarchs offense starts the game well, taking the opening drive to the Raiders 20 yard line. Looking for a spark, a fourth down pass falls incomplete, leaving no points to show from the six plus minute drive. London's next long drive is more successful, with a 37 yard field goal giving the Monarchs a 3-0 lead. The Monarchs grind out another impressive drive on their next possession, holding the ball for over nine minutes before finally scoring on a one yard TD pass from Avila to TE George Payne for a 10-0 lead. Despite only running sixteen plays on offense in the first half, the Raiders are still able to trim the lead to three when QB John Rodriguez hits veteran WR Thomas Constant for his only catch of the day for a 13 yard TD pass. Rodriguez hits speedy WR Anthony Todd for an 80 yard catch and run TD in the third quarter, one of only ten completions in the game, to give South Brisbane their first lead at 14-10. The Monarchs are able to climb back on top with a pair of field goals from K Brandon Shah to lead 16-14 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, the Raiders give the Monarchs a taste of their own medicine, driving fifty eight yards in fourteen plays while taking seven minutes off the clock, before settling for a 36 yard field goal from K Kenneth Mejia and a 17-16 lead. That gives the Raiders enough momentum, limiting London to only 32 yards of total offense in their final three possessions. QB Matthew Avila's last nine pass attempts all fall incomplete after South Brisbane takes the lead, and the Monarchs lose their fourth straight game by the 17-16 score, falling below .500 at 5-6. The losing streak matches the longest London skid since weeks 12-15 in 2033, when the Monarchs finished the year at 8-8. While surrendering fourth quarter leads in the last three losses and losing the four games by 13 total points, the offense's troubles appear to be a major hurdle to any chance at possibly making the playoffs, even with an added team this season.

- The Monarchs head to Heathrow for a trip to chilly Wisconsin in week 12, facing off against the Blizzard. London's recent trend of opening the game strong continues, taking the game opening possession seventy five yards in sixteen plays with a pair of fourth down conversions, including the only touchdown of the game on a two yard TD pass from Avila to WR Jon Horton for a 7-0 lead. In a sloppy offensive game featuring seven combined turnovers, the Monarchs pass rush makes all the difference. Blizzard QB Robert Baker is sacked nine times in the game, with London LDE Mihn Rawls abusing former Monarchs RT Robert Parker. Rawls beats Parker for seven total sacks, the second highest single game total in Moguls this season (Detroit RDE Brian Dyer - 9 week 10 vs. Tasmania), as well as pressuring Baker constantly all game. Baker throws three interceptions before giving way to backup Nathan Conrad, who is intercepted as well. While stopping the Blizzard's last six drives inside the Wisconsin 50 by either downs or interceptions, London's offense still can't cash in on the short fields and adds three additional field goals in the fourth quarter to snap the four game losing streak with a shutout win 19-0.

With three total turnovers on two interceptions and a lost fumble against the Blizzard, Avila's hold on the starting quarterback spot appears to be in jeopardy. If London is eliminated from postseason contention, the coaching staff may seriously consider giving backup QB Edwin Johnson some starts to see if he is the Monarchs' future under center. With both Avila and Johnson in the final year of their contracts and only disappointing third year QB Preston Jones on the roster, London will have to make a decision on where to go moving forward. Injuries also force London GM Nigel Worthington IV to make some roster moves. RT Paul Dement, signed in week 8 to replace RT Steve Gabbard on IR, is injured himself in week 10 vs. the Invaders. Little used rookie RB Bobby Hammond is cut to sign backup RG Willie Witzel, a former Memphis Hound Dog. London claims injured WR/RB Victor Doolittle off waivers from the Bllizzard before week 12 to see if he can add some more speed to the struggling offense if he recovers from a leg injury. To make room for the dual threat Doolittle, the Monarchs waive fifth round rookie RDE Sam Race.

The final quarter of the season appears daunting, with all four opponents currently in the hunt for playoff berths. After a week 13 rematch in Roswell, the Monarchs host their last three contests at home against the Terror, NFC North leading Chicago Bears and the surprisingly competitive Pennsauken Del Fuego Phoenix in the regular season finale. Look for an update after week 16.

***Breaking News*** London Monarchs QB Matthew Avila has been benched following the team's 34-0 loss in week 13 to the Roswell Invaders. Avila went 23/43 for 206 yards while throwing two interceptions and being sacked six times in the team's first shutout loss since week 11 2034 vs. Seattle.

Avila has struggled in the second half of the season as the Monarchs have lost five of six games. During that streak Avila has recorded just five touchdown passes while being intercepted ten times, and completing only 62% of his pass attempts for 962 total passing yards (160 yards per game) and being sacked 14 times. Avila has started every game for London since being traded to the Monarchs from the XTreme on draft day 2032, but will give way to backup QB Edwin Johnson, who has not started a regular season contest since 2031.

London currently sits in 8th place in the AFC Conference, one game behind the Pennsauken Del Fuego Phoenix for the final playoff berth. However, having a worse conference and divisional record than Pennsauken, London is likely to lose any tiebreakers and must finish with a better overall record. Having already lost to the Phoenix in week 2 and preparing to host them in the regular season finale, Monarchs coach David Kirby has decided to see if a switch under center can ignite the team's struggling offense and pull a miracle playoff appearance out of his hat.

Quarterly report:
record: 2-2 overall record: 8-8

Her Majesty's subjects miss out on playoff football for the second straight season.

- The Monarchs begin the final stretch of the regular season with their final road game of the year in Roswell. After losing at home to the Invaders on a late field goal in week 10, London felt it had at least a chance to give the division leaders a battle - how wrong they would be! Roswell dominates the game from the start and never lets up. Invaders QB David Montoya opens the scoring with an eighteen yard TD pass to WR Douglas Holden in the first quarter. Roswell's running game takes over, as the atrocious Monarchs run defense, giving up a league worst 5.8 YPC, gets steamrolled. RB Elliott Ali runs for a ten yard TD in the second quarter, part of his 158 yards rushing on the day. Not to be outdone, Roswell FB Joseph Fox adds a four yard blast for a comfortable 21-0 halftime lead. Even London's reliable K Brandon Shah who had only missed one field goal attempt the entire season is off this day, missing two first half attempts.

However, the worst performance lands squarely on the shoulders of QB Matthew Avila. The quarterback misfires badly on his throws most of the game, completing barely over 50% of his attempts, while being sacked six times. Adding insult to injury, Avila's second interception of the day is picked off at the London 12 yard line and returned for a touchdown by Roswell SLB Dwayne Austin. The pick six is the embarrassing cap on what ends up being a 34-0 Invader victory, London's first shutout loss since week 11 2034 at Seattle - a streak of 51 games. With the playoffs looking doubtful with a 6-7 record and losing five of their last six games, head coach David Kirby announces following the game that Avila has been benched for backup QB Edwin Johnson.

- The Monarchs return home to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in week 14 to face the 5-8 Terre Haute Terror. The Terror play their second straight game in London following their week 13 loss to the Ravens, but the home team gets on top early. Despite the quarterback switch, the Monarchs lean on the running game, and RB Archie Daniels runs in a three yard score for a first quarter 7-0 lead. Neither team can gain much traction on offense, as field goals command much of the scoring. A 55 yard kick by Terre Haute K Rex Renn cuts the London lead to 10-9 before a rusty QB Edwin Johnson falls apart in the final four minutes. Making his first regular season start since week 16 2031, Johnson may have lacked the endurance to play an entire game. Looking to drain the clock, Johnson throws his second interception of the second half to Terror CB Larry Buckman. Buckman returns the ball to the Monarch 12, setting up a three play scoring drive capped by RB Johnny King's two yard TD run. King entered the game leading the league in rushing along with seven 100 yard contests, but the Monarchs poor run defense does limit him to only 87 yards on the day plus the decisive touchdown. Following a successful two point conversion to put Terre Haute ahead 17-10, Terror CB **** Trickle intercepts Johnson at the London 20, leading to Renn's fourth field goal of the day at the two minute warning for a 20-10 lead. London's final desperation drive ends in disaster, as Terror LDE Christopher True sacks Johnson and recovers a fumble, allowing Terre Haute to complete the come from behind win. With turnovers on their final three possessions, boos rain down from the home fans for the man who could be the Monarchs future starting QB.

- Week 15 features a visit from the defending NFC champion Chicago Bears. Chicago makes just their second ever appearance in London against the Monarchs, the first since week 10 2029. The Bears have dominated London in their last five preseason and regular season meetings, all in Chicago, by a combined score of 148-59. The Bears entered the game on an eight game winning streak and regained the #1 seed in the NFC by defeating the San Francisco Demons in week 14, while leading the Moguls league with a +21 turnover differential. Following the collapse against the Terror the previous week, Monarchs fans had little reason to expect anything but another humiliating loss to Chicago. Likely playing for pride if nothing else, the Monarchs put up a spirited fight. Following a first quarter field goal, London's slow down offense records a thirteen play fifty eight yard scoring drive, taking up nearly half the second quarter. RB Archie Daniels scores a rushing TD for the second straight week from four yards out, to give London a 10-0 second quarter lead. Still leading 13-3, QB Edwin Johnson's struggles continue, as he is intercepted on the first play of the second half by Chicago CB Tony Fales at the London 31. That sets up Chicago for a short four play scoring drive, as QB George Wilson finds little used WR Charles Garcia for his only touchdown catch of the season from one yard out to cut the lead to 13-10. Nervous fans expect another inevitable loss as second half turnovers continue to be an issue. Johnson throws his second interception of the third quarter, and RB Victor X. Ebubedike loses his seventh fumble on the year early in the fourth. However, Chicago is able to do nothing against the Monarchs vaunted (?) Tough Blokes defense, forced to punt on their final five possessions while netting just ten yards total on those drives. Overall, London holds the ball for over 41 minutes in the contest, and limits Chicago to only 162 yards on the day. The upset victory is mostly symbolic, as a field goal at the final gun by Pennsauken Del Fuego Phoenix K James Perez cements a stunning 23-22 come from behind victory over the Roswell Invaders and punches a playoff ticket for the team that went 0-16 last season and officially eliminates the Monarchs from playoff contention for the second straight year.

- The final regular season contest of 2037 brings the Phoenix to London, for a rematch of the 12-3 Pennsauken win in week two. Following the two mediocre performances by Edwin Johnson, Matthew Avila is reinstated as the starting quarterback in what may be his final appearance in a Monarchs uniform. Ball protection once again rears its ugly head to start the game, as RBs Archie Daniels and Victor X. Ebubedike both lose fumbles on the first two London possessions. That allows Pennsauken to take a 6-0 first quarter lead on two short field goals by K James Perez, before Daniels redeems himself with a two yard TD run and a 7-6 London lead. Pennsauken regains the lead in the second quarter, as converted RB Daniel McCrea, drafted as a highly valued quarterback prospect in 2036, notches a five yard touchdown run for a 13-7 halftime lead. A third quarter field goal puts the Phoenix ahead 16-7, seemingly on their way to completing the season sweep. The Monarchs refuse to go quietly in the fourth quarter, as Avila tosses a two yard scoring pass to backup TE Ernest Benefiel with less than four minutes to play, cutting the lead to 16-14. After forcing a quick three and out by Pennsauken, the Monarchs drive for a potential game winning score, but Avila is intercepted at the Phoenix 45 by WLB George Pastore, and season ending loss appears only 1:56 away. London is forced to spend all three of its timeouts to force the Phoenix to punt it away. Pinned back at their own 14 yard line with no timeouts, Avila completes three short passes before a stunning turn of events. Lining up at the London 28 with only 25 seconds remaining, Avila finds WR Jeff Davis behind the Phoenix secondary, who races untouched 72 yards to the end zone for a go ahead touchdown on the Monarchs longest play from scrimmage the entire season. A successful two point conversion puts London ahead 22-16, and a strip sack of Phoenix backup QB Joshua Perez by RDE Chris Thompson sets up the Monarchs at the Pennsauken 12 yard line. Two runs later, the Monarchs are in the end zone again, as Ebubedike's two yard touchdown run caps an amazing final :30 and sends the fans into the offseason with an improbable 28-16 victory.

Will QB Matthew Avila ride off into the sunset? That's the biggest question facing the Monarchs heading into the offseason. GM Nigel Worthington IV signs both pending free agent quarterbacks Avila and Johnson to massive one year contract extensions to ensure both will be in the fold in 2038. The 33 year old Avila has hinted at retirement, and a huge signing bonus would weigh down the Monarchs with dead cap space for one year if he does decide to retire in the offseason. Meanwhile, Johnson was efficient if unimpressive in his two starts, throwing for just over 300 combined yards, while recording five interceptions without a touchdown pass. If Avila does retire Johnson will be the starting quarterback for better or worse with his own "prove it" one year contract for 2038, as third string QB Preston Jones is rumored to being close to getting cut, despite being drafted in the second round in 2035. While salvaging an 8-8 final record and a 5-3 record against eventual playoff teams, there are likely to be coaching changes on the London staff to jumpstart an offense that underperformed for most of the year, as well as roster upgrades on both sides of the ball. Stay tuned for the next chapter in the London Monarchs story.

Offensive MVP: RB Archie Daniels 1191 rushing yards (5th in the league) 4 TDs 47 receptions 304 yards

Defensive MVP: LDE Minh Rawls 21 tackles 12 sacks 10 QB hurries