Jamaica College (JC) will battle Bridgeport at 3 p.m. in a match-up between the teams which contested last season's final, while St George's College take on St Andrew Technical High (STATHS) at 1 p.m. in the semi-finals of the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup double-header at Harbour View Mini Stadium today.
It has been almost one year since JC upended Bridgeport to lift their first major bit of schoolboy football silverware in 33 years. If they are to successfully defend that title, the Old Hope Road-based school must look to achieve a similar feat when the teams meet in today's feature. But the St Catherine outfit, certainly one of the most consistent schoolboy teams in recent times, could well have other ideas.
recovered from poor start
The Portmore-based squad recovered from a poor start to the quarter-final round to become the first team to book a spot in the semi-finals. Following a 2-2 opening-day draw with Kingston College (KC), Bridgeport went on to beat Wolmer's 3-1 before finishing off Norman Manley 3-0.
However, despite seeming to be gathering late momentum, Bridgeport will have to deal with a major setback today with the absence of captain and inspirational midfielder, André Steele, who is away on duty with the national Under-20 team in Aruba.
Bridgeport should still have plenty of firepower with winger Darren Mattocks and leading goalscorer Adoah Nickle, who has scored in their last three games.
heart of champions
Jamaica College showed what having the heart of champions was all about as they recovered from their opening-day stumble - a 2-0 loss to Waterford - before beating Eltham High and then group leaders St George's to advance as the best second-place team.
Headed into today's fixture, if the performance of midfielder DeAndré Brown and striker Saeed Robinson isn't reason enough to be hopeful, JC could also benefit from the return of the influential Ashani Walker. The player suffered a dislocated shoulder against KC in the Walker Cup quarter-final almost a month ago, but with any luck, could be passed fit for today's encounter.
led from the front
With 23 goals to his credit, St George's captain and the league's leading scorer, Kemal Malcolm, has led from the front all season. However, the striker and his teammates face a tough assignment against STATHS, arguably the best defensive unit left in the competition.
The North Street team, perhaps the best attacking unit in the competition, will need to be firing on all cylinders today. In addition to Malcolm, the 'Light Blues' will look for inspiration from forward Shammar Shelton, who must do a better job of distributing the ball to his teammates, and Kemar Cummings.
With a paltry defensive showing to date, despite the best efforts of more than its capable centre half, Oneil Fisher, they could have their hands full with a physical STATHS midfield, and front line and forward Diego Haughton could be more than a handful.