Giants looking to make a statement

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Ten former champions will be among the teams making their seasonal debut this afternoon when action commences in the 2010 ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup senior schoolboy football competition, with action in all 12 zones, starting at 3:30 p.m.

Based on the pre-season projections of both The Gleaner and experienced pundits, the games featuring former champions Glenmuir, Rusea's, Clarendon College, Garvey Maceo and Cornwall College should generate much interest, as these teams are expected to figure prominently in the bid to dethrone defending champions, St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS).

In fact, after the powerful statements made on Monday afternoon by the likes of last year's beaten finalists, Manchester High, which spanked Christiana 5-0; and Knox College, which overran Alston High 7-1, the teams that will be on show today should be anxious to impress.

The Steve Bucknor-coached Cornwall College, the competition's most successful team, should have a stern examination playing away to Green Pond High School in their Zone A fixture at Cornwall Courts.

When the teams met last season, Cornwall College won the first game 2-1, but Green Pond turned the tables 3-2 in the return match.

The two games in Zone I, which will see Glenmuir entertaining Central High and Garvey Maceo playing away to Tacius Golding, should be quite interesting as while both former champions are expected to win, they will probably be hunting huge victory margins, as based on the calibre teams in the zone, like last year, goal difference could be crucial in the race for the two inter-zone places.

Downplaying hype

Interestingly, coaches Jeffrey Hewitt, of Garvey Maceo, and Patrick 'Jackie' Walters, of Glenmuir; have been trying to downplay the hype surrounding their respective teams, contending that while they expect to do well, they don't see themselves as the red-hot contenders they are being made out to be.

"No, no, no, you are being misled," said Hewitt, in regards to the view that his Garvey Maceo outfit could be unbeatable. "I can promise you that we will be competitive, but I don't know about being unbeatable."

Rusea's, based on the pre-season buzz around them, are favourites to top Zone B and their away fixture to the Carl 'Long Life' Palmer-conditioned Maldon High School should answer a few questions as to whether they are just full of hype or real substance.

"I am not saying we are going to win, but I would be very disappointed if we did not do very well this season," said Anthony 'Follies' Williams, who shares coaching duties with the experienced Emerson 'Diggy' Henry at Rusea's. "We are well prepared and ready."

Zone A

Green Pond vs Cornwall at Cornwall Courts

William Knibb vs Muschett at Martha Brae

Zone B

Herbert Morrison vs Hopewell at Bogue

Maldon vs Rusea's at Summer Hill

Zone C

York Castle vs Cedric Titus at York Castle

Albert Town vs Ocho Rios at Albert Town

Marcus Garvey vs Brown's Town at Drax Hall

Zone D

Brimmervale vs Annotto Bay at Brimmervale

St Mary Tech vs Islington at Richmond Farm

Iona vs St Mary High at Rio Nuevo

Zone E

Petersfield vs Maud McLeod at Petersfield

Godfrey Stewart vs Grange Hill at Godfrey Stewart

Little London vs Manning's at Little London

Zone F

Maggotty vs Munro at Appleton Estate

Mile Gully vs Decarteret at Mile Gully

Zone G

Christiana vs Spalding at Christiana

Cross Keys vs Knox at Belair Grounds

Alston vs Manchester High at Kobbla

Zone H

Thompson Town vs Clarendon College at Oval Office

Lennon vs Edwin Allen at Lennon

Zone I

Tacius Golding vs Garvey Maceo at Bodles

Glenmuir vs Central at Brancourt

Zone J

Charlemont vs Bog Walk at Charlemont

Ewarton vs Dinthill at Ewarton

Zone K

Fair Prospect vs Port Antonio at Fair Prospect

Happy Grove vs Buff Bay at Happy Grove

Zone L

Yallahs vs Morant Bay at Phillip Field

Robert Lightbourne vs St Thomas Tech at Robert Lightbourne