On the other side

For Kingston College’s Christopher Pearson, his strong midfield play that has led the many-time champions to yet another ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup semi-final run has been attributed to coming on the other side of an injury that tested his mental fortitude two years ago.

Another chance at a title awaits the school from North Street as they cruised through their quarter-final group with three straight wins, scoring eight goals, and conceding none. Pearson has contributed to his side’s cause with seven goals so far this season, including his excellent curler in their first quarter-final game against Charlie Smith High on December 11. In this truncated season, Pearson says that being able to play healthy so far this year has been a blessing, after what he described as a difficult journey to get back to full fitness.

“The journey was really rough. I got help from my mom, my grandma, coaches and players as well,” Pearson told The Sunday Gleaner. “The doctor said I had to do surgery. I didn’t do the surgery because I was scared.”

Instead of the operation, Pearson opted for a more natural course of treatment. In addition to physical work strengthening his leg, he said he changed his diet, opting to go greener with his food along with water, aiding in his recovery in four weeks, which still left him time to return to help his school capture the Champions Cup in 2019. It is a diet that he still follows, hoping that he can set an example as to how young players have to be mindful of how important it is to pay attention to what they eat to fuel them for games.

“I try my best to eat a lot (healthier). I would put it out there to any young sportsmen, you have to treat your body right because if you don’t treat your body right it will do other things,” Pearson said.

While the two-year hiatus from schoolboy football limited competitive play, he says that he has managed to remain fit during the period between his training here at home and taking advantage of opportunities abroad, including a trial in the United States with Major League Soccer.

“I was doing my training here. I went to Inter Miami for a trial. I (think) am still on their radar. I’m not really sure but I have to contact my agent about that,” Pearson said.

But his immediate goal is to pursue silverware for KC as they seek to defend their Champions Cup crown as well topping the Manning Cup which resumes next month. He is hoping to be that goalscoring threat that puts fear into opposing defences while leading by example for his team, which is mostly inexperienced at this level.

“I am not necessarily a goalscoring player but I have seven out of seven and it is helping the team. I’m trying my best to score goals. That’s what gets you highlights in schoolboy football. I know that’s not necessarily my strongest point but I am trying my best. I have the fuel and tools so I’m just doing it to get myself highlighted,” Pearson said. “We are the oldest on paper but we don’t have the experience. I am trying my best as an experienced player to get goals, get as many assists as I can to help the team progress.

Assistant KC coach Raymond Watson has heralded Pearson’s play this year, calling him one of the best players in the tournament.

“Christopher Pearson is a gem. Whenever he is on song, he pulls strings, the team plays well around him and even if he doesn’t score goals, he creates for the other players. He leads by his play,” Watson said. “Any coach would love to have him around and we at Kingston College are happy to have him.”

KC will face St Andrew Technical High in the Manning Cup semi-finals while beginning their Champions Cup title defence against either Garvey Maceo High or Manning’s High.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com