Presentation College San Fernando will travel to Tobago today to kick off the national InterCol action against Tobago Zone champions Signal Hill Secondary.
The South InterCol winners earned the right to play the defending InterCol champions with a 4-0 victory over South Zone league champs Shiva Boys Hindu College, while Signal Hill had to dig deep to overcome Scarborough Secondary 3-2, the team that dethroned them in the league competition.
Signal Hill last year were whipped in the Secondary Schools Football League "Big Five" by St Anthony's College before returning the favour in the InterCol competition, thumping the "Tigers" 3-1 in the semi-finals on their way to the InterCol title.
It is a performance they are hoping to emulate this year.
"Pres" meanwhile might well have been kicking themselves after wilting in the league competition when the South Zone title was theirs to win–or lose.
But this competition brings together two teams with significantly different styles, which makes it a very interesting affair.
Signal Hill, under the watchful gaze of former national coach Bertille St Clair, have the speed and transition to trouble any team on the counter-attack.
Opponents Presentation are best when they possess and pass the ball around, trying to create openings.
The winners will be the team who keep their collective focus longer.
Signal Hill
Manager Xavier King has seen his team grow through the season, evidenced by their victory over Scarborough, who dominated league proceedings between the teams. But after getting over that hurdle, Scarborough are brimming with confidence.
"We have been telling them they have to remember they are defending champions," said King, "and I think after that match on Thursday they gained a bit more confidence."
King revealed that Signal Hill, who have not yet seen today's opponents, will play their natural game and try to feel out their opponents before they pile on the pressure.
And as 2010 champions, there is added incentive for Signal Hill in this encounter.
"We are looking to make the finals even though we don't have the same team last year," said King. "But nobody expected us to reach the final last year, so hopefully we will be able to get back there."
Presentation College San Fernando
He has been there before with Naparima College, but Presentation coach Shawn Cooper is banking on his players to step up against Signal Hill.
Cooper has loads of respect for St Clair, who coincidentally coached Signal Hill when Cooper played in the Colleges Football League.
He is hoping his players can back him up.
Said Cooper: "Youngsters, they tend to waver a bit in the task at hand, but now they have settled down, they understand what we need for them. It's InterCol, not like the league, so you need a little more determination, a little more fight. It's a different ball game altogether."
He has not seen Signal Hill in action, but that will not stop Presentation from playing their usual style.
"It's the team that wants it most will get there," Cooper stated. "We have been trying to play proper, but now we need to put in a little more fight."
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