Tigers to roar again

The "Tigers" of Westmoorings-third in the League behind all-conquering Mucurapo last season, and walloped by "Compre" in the zonal InterCol final but still national semi-finalists-seem best placed to capitalise on what looks certain to be a season of rebuilding for the top team in the zone last season.

The formerly known Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive school, now playing their football as East Mucurapo Secondary, have lost all but Kadeem Sobion, Matthew Waldron, Aswad Davis and possibly, Kevin Jones from the side that swept to a zonal League and InterCol double and only the school's second national InterCol triumph.

The job to rebuild could also be made tougher because changes to the education structure have eliminated East Mucurapo's sources of talent from some of their traditional feeder schools which are now five-year institutions.

Last week, St Anthony's were also sweating over the availability of their six national Under-17 players: Luke Hernandez, Dwight Ceballo, Jamal Francois, Moriba Ballah, Cordel Cato and Rashad Wint.

Should they be accepted back to school, the Tigers would seem to have an outstanding chance of adding more silverware to their already impressive trophy cabinet.

The dark horses in the race could be St Mary's College.

Like most of their counterparts, the "Saints" have said goodbye to several of their 2008 squad. But central midfielder Chad Appoo, who will skipper the team this season, is one of he returning group of five that will be expected to show leadership of a young squad.

Pre-season results were fair for the side coached by Jason Edwards. And St Mary's are confident disciplined play and a good understanding of the game can make up for what they lack in experience. Look for them to rise to the challenge in InterCol especially.

CIC's old foes on Hayes Street, Queen's Royal College will be happy to make the top three. Anything else will be a bonus.

Their national under-17 striker Jerrel Britto will not be with them this season, while other key members of last year's squad have also left.

Coach Keith Eddy however will still be able to work with the bulk of last year's squad which started strongly but went flat as the season stretched out.  He will hope that last year's experience will strengthen his players and that they can produce a sustained effort this term.

Matching last year's second place performance may be even tougher for Fatima College to match. Coach Errol McFarlane will be starting virtually from scratch due to poor exam results.

"This year will be a real big challenge," he admitted. An inadequate preseason build-up will not have helped Fatima's cause either.

A mid-table position may be what  they have to contend with. And newcomers Woodbrook Secondary will hope that they will at least be in the mix. In fact, they hope to do more than just survive.

Replacing former powerhouses Malick in the top bracket, Woodbrook come to the action with the team that won them their first shot at Championship play.

"We plan to represent well," says assistant coach Gordon Pierre.

The Woodbrook boys will therefore be pleased if in mid-October, they are not locked in a do-or-die fight for survival in their final matches the way Trinity College were forced to do last term. Trinity, constantly having to contend with an exodus of players are in a similar predicament this season. Another gutsy effort will be required.

First round fixtures:

- Fatima vs QRC, Fatima ground, 2pm.
- East Mucurapo vs Woodbrook, Fatima ground, 4pm.
- St Anthony's vs Trinity, St Anthony's ground, 4pm.

Previews of the zones in the new Secondary Schools Football League season will continue tomorrow and Thursday with a look at the South and East Zones.