After 16 days and 223 goals, the 4th Annual Petra Organization/Milo Secondary Schools u-20 Championship will conclude today when holders Chase Academy battle Lodge Secondary from 18:00hrs in the final.
While the majority of the viewership will be clamoring for a Lodge Secondary upset at the Ministry of Education ground, the statistics point to a different conclusion, one in favour of the Parade Street unit.
The Chase Academy unit has been a juggernaut in this year’s edition, racking up formidable statistics compliments of an assembled and star-studded roster.
Over the course of six matches, they have amassed a frightening 32 goals which equates to 5.33 goals per game, the best in the event by a long way.
Keith Caines heads the demolition crew with six goals while Ralph Parris, Kelsey Benjamin, Jeremy Garrett, Ryan Hackett, Jobe Caesar and Josiah Charles have scored five, four, four, four, three and three goals each.
While the team is known for the quality of its attack, the impressive numbers also extend to their defensive duties with Garrett marshalling a back line that has only been breached once which makes the task ahead for the challengers even harder.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Lodge Secondary outfit who have already tasted glory by winning the second edition of the event. Currently they are a side in transition, boasting talented but young players unlike their opponents who are the finished article.
Similarly, unlike their opponents who strolled into the finale, Lodge’s path was a battle tested route, with many of their matches ending in tense finishes inclusive of a penalty shoot-out win over Dolphin Secondary.
In terms of their numbers, a decent 14 goals were scored across their campaign at a rate of 2.3 goals per fixture. Shamar Smith has been the main threat with six conversions while the next best scorers with two goals each are Leon Blake and Simeon Hackett.
On the defensive end, the Jamoon Street unit has done well, conceding only four times. A determined performance in this area will be needed to seal their second championship.
Meanwhile, in the earlier third place playoff, South Ruimveldt will oppose Queen’s College from 16:00hrs. Winner of the event will walk away with the championship trophy and $500,000 towards a school project.
On the other hand, the second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 correspondingly towards the funding of a school initiative and the respective trophy.
