The City of London Monarchs looked to build on their preseason momentum with a hard-fought 10-9 win over the 7th Cav at home in Week 3. Head Coach John Rodriguez’s squad showed resilience and cohesion, particularly on the defensive side and special teams, in a game defined by missed opportunities and relentless defensive stands.

The 7th Cav won the toss and elected to receive, setting the tone for a defensive chess match. Early in the first quarter, Monarchs quarterback Omer Vasquez faced adversity, throwing an interception to Sylvester Orozco that halted the home team's first promising drive. However, the Monarchs defense stepped up to limit the damage, allowing only a 50-yard field goal from the 7th Cav’s Gary McAdory and holding them to a 3-0 advantage through the first quarter.

Offensively, the Monarchs struggled to find consistency. Vasquez passed for 77 yards but was eventually replaced as Josh LaRocca took the reins, connecting on 29 completions for 149 yards and a touchdown despite throwing an interception. The Monarchs rushing attack remained steady with Andy Smith contributing 79 yards on the ground, while standout Marvin Hargrove made a crucial impact with 61 receiving yards and a rushing touchdown in the third quarter that broke a scoring drought and put London in front 7-6.

The defense’s two interceptions, including a pivotal pick by Robert Penn early in the third quarter, underscored the Monarchs’ defensive discipline. Although the 7th Cav managed three field goals by McAdory, their offense could not crack the Monarchs' defense for a touchdown.

Special teams played a critical role in determining the outcome. Monarchs kicker Jerry Andrews successfully converted a 24-yard field goal, which proved to be the game-winner. Although he missed a 52-yard attempt wide right earlier, his contribution punctuated the game’s low scoring nature. Dominick Shaw’s effective punting also helped keep the 7th Cav pinned deep several times, allowing the Monarchs’ defense to thrive.

Penalties were kept to a minimum by the Monarchs (2 for 15 yards), a sign of their growing discipline under Rodriguez amid a hard preseason. The 7th Cav struggled more with penalties (5 for 31 yards), which may have stalled some of their drives.

While there were injury scares—such as 7th Cav’s James Cooper and Monarchs' Josh LaRocca—luck was largely on the Monarchs' side as both players seemed able to continue.

This win marks an important confidence builder for Rodriguez’s squad as they aim for a strong regular season. The Monarchs’ defense and special teams demonstrated they can hold their own under pressure, but the offense will want to tighten execution and limit turnovers going forward.

For now, the Monarchs walk away with a narrow victory that sustains their preseason momentum and reinforces the team’s cohesion. With just one more preseason game to finalize their lineup, London looks poised to compete fiercely when the regular season arrives.