‘It’s War’
Butler says Mona not underdogs against fancied CC
Published:Wednesday | December 13, 2023 | 12:10 AMLivingston Scott /Gleaner Writer
THE 2023 ISSA schoolboy football season comes to a close this evening at the National Stadium, when first-time Manning Cup winners Mona match wits against many-time daCosta Cup champions Clarendon College for the coveted Olivier Shield, the symbol of schoolboy supremacy, starting at 5 p.m.
Urban area champions, Mona, defied the odds to claim their first Manning Cup against Hydel on Friday.
Coach Craig Butler is now relishing the opportunity to be crowned kingpins of schoolboy football and said his opponents can expect a ‘war’ for the coveted silverware.
“For glory’s sake, for vengeance’s sake. It’s War,” Butler declared.
“We are focused. We are ready and prepared to take on the challenge. I am confident in my boys and we will do the best we can.”
“This game will decide who is the top schoolboy team in the country and we are aiming for that, and we have our plans and will execute them accordingly.
“So that is our ambition (to be Olivier Shield winners) and that is what we set out to do.”
The game brings together two contrasting styles, with Clarendon College known for silky passing and ball possession, while Mona are known for their direct approach and intense high-pressing game.
Despite most pundits having Mona as underdogs, Butler thinks his pressing game gives them the advantage.
“Why would I have it that way (underdogs) because Clarendon College beat Glenmuir 6-2. I don’t think so.
“On any given day our team can beat anyone. The only team that can beat our team is our team.
“If they keep the ball a lot, our pressing will definitely benefit us. Any team that is going to play keep-ball will be a good opportunity to execute our style of play, and hopefully, we will get the result we want,” he said.
Mona will look to goalkeeper Akeem Bernard, Alex Suazo, Romario Thomas, Robinho Gordon, Denzel McKenzie, Demarion Harris and Maquan Parchment.
Since 2018 Clarendon College have been the most dominant schoolboy football team under the tutelage of Lenworth ‘Teacha’ Hyde.
The Clarendon school won four of the last five daCosta Cup titles and have taken three of the four Olivier Shields they have contested.
Hyde claims he knows what to expect from Mona, but insists they will focus on their game.
“I expect the usual Butler football. They play the same system as us. Although he changes things sometimes.
“But I will concentrate on my team. We are defending champions and we want to be defending it to the best of our ability,” he said.
The team is currently brimming with confidence after a 6-2 thrashing of Glenmuir in the daCosta Cup final.
They boast a host of talent, including leading goalscorer Kaheim Dixon, captain Malachi Douglas, Christopher Hull, Ateibo Green, Daniel Clarke, Theon Cupee, and Denonti Hodges.
According to Hyde, he has asked those wonderfully talented players to give this little extra, so they can end their season in style.
“It will be nothing different from the last performance. We just ask them to come out and give a little bit more than what they did last time. We know what to expect. We just have to come out and give it our best shot.”