STATHS no a longer surprise package

St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) surprised many experts last year when they went to the final. This year will be different as teams will be coming at them.

First up for last year's finalists is Papine at Bumper Hall, Spanish Town Road, at 3:30 p.m. Technical director of STATHS Michael Williams admitted that they know nothing of the opponents.

"We have to go out with our game plan. And take instruction's from the coach (Phillip Williams)," he told The Gleaner yesterday.

STATHS will be led by captain and goalkeeper Jeadine White, who is a national youth and senior team custodian. They are again expecting great things from him and the rest of the team.

"Although missing David Smith from last year's team, we have three other persons to rely on. Jeadine will start. He is the backbone. He is the coach on the team," Williams continued. "Last season had more experienced persons, but this year's team is young with a lot of talent. We have technically sound players and this is a big plus for us," he added.

STATHS will rely on White as well as Anthony Nelson, Tyrese Smith and Jenuin Pinnock to get off to a winning start.

Papine's coach, Mark Scotland, said that his team had a late pre season start, but they have retained many players from last year's team. He is hoping they can settle down early and get a positive result.

"We are not as prepared as we wanted. We are behind and about 70 per cent ready for the game. We will be positive. From my understanding, STATHS has retained about 50 per cent of last year's team, including outstanding goalie Jeadine White, so they will be dangerous. However, we have pretty much the same bunch of players," Scotland, who is in his first year at Papine, said.

Akeem Burton, Lionel Richards, and captain Shadymar Morgan are among the experienced players that the coach will rely on for a good start.

Today's games

Group A

STATHS vs Papine at Bumper Hall

The Cedar Grove Academy vs St George's College at Cedar Grove

Cumberland vs Tarrant at Cumberland

Group B

Kingston College vs Dunoon at Stadium East

Calabar vs Mona at Calabar High

Ardenne vs Clan Carthy

Group D

St Jago vs Denham Town at Spanish Town Prison Oval

Greater Portmore vs Bridgeport at Greater Portmore

Innswood vs Tivoli Gardens at Chedwin Park

Group E

Excelsior vs Oberlin at Excelsior

St Catherine High vs St Mary's College at St Catherine High

Haile Selassie vs Penwood at Haile Selassie

(All games start at 3:30 p.m.)