Khesanio Hall

Western Bureau:

Former St Elizabeth Technical High School marksman Khesanio Hall is confident the Santa Cruz-based school can retain the ISSA schoolboy football titles they won last year, despite losing the bulk of last year's team.

"Well, yes, they can retain the titles we won last year, at least one of them, because we are always a championship-quality team," Hall said.

"The depth in the squad and the belief that hard work and discipline will pay off, along with the work ethic of the coaching staff, has worked well for the school, and I think there are enough good players there that can keep the title in Santa Cruz," he added.

history

The daCosta Cup champions open their season September 6 at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, and will be seeking to win back-to-back titles for the first time in their history, and a fifth title overall.

STETHS won a fourth straight Ben Francis Knockout title last year with a clinical 2-0 victory over Manchester High, and could well make it five consecutive crowns this year, given their propensity for winning knockout games.

Hall, who scored 35 goals in their successful double-title winning season last year, including one in the knockout final against Manchester High School, says players donning the gold and blue of the Santa Cruz-based school will use the institution's motto 'Work and Integrity' as added motivation.

"The coaching staff place most of their emphasis on getting the players to work as a team, and that's the main point, which produces champions. I have all the confidence in them because I know the qualities of the players, and they always live up to the school's motto 'Work and Integrity'," Hall said.

The Omar Wedderburn-coached school was again drawn in Zone E and will face parish rivals Munro College, Newell High, Lacovia High, Maggotty High, and B.B. Coke, in what is expected to be another year of great schoolboy football action, with 77 high schools down to compete.