'Sensi' enjoying Mona challenge

Kevin 'Sensi' Williams is enjoying life in urban schoolboy football as head coach of Mona High School. Williams took charge of Mona this season and has sparked a sense of belief that the team can advance to the knockout stages of the Manning Cup competition as one of the top two teams, or best third-place team.

Williams said that when he took the job, he knew he had to first focus on getting his squad believing they could compete with stronger teams in the group such as former champions Bridgeport High, St Andrew Technical High and defending champions Jamaica College.

"The mentality of winning was a challenge," Williams said. "I've played in teams and I've coached teams that are winners. To transform the mentality of winning is the biggest challenge here."

FLUID PASSING

Mona have won four of their eight games so far and drawn three, playing a fluid passing game, which Williams said is his signature as a coach.

"Most definitely, if people know me, my signature is good football, passing and rotating," he said. "It saves the legs of the youngsters. I'm dealing with youngsters at this stage. I like to see the beautiful game and, as a result of that, all of the teams I've coached always play a passing game. That's my signature."

Williams may be remembered for the controversy surrounding his dismissal as head coach of Dinthill Technical last season. He was removed from duties by the team's manager after a publicised falling out.

He spoke about the change of scenery at Mona High with a smile on his face, saying he was happy with the support he has received from the school and Principal Kevin Jones.

"He was a past student with me back at Clarendon College," Williams said. "He's the reason I took this job. Many people may say I took a step down but it's not, it's just to show my quality. If I can turn around a school that was losing many games before, I think that will show my method of coaching. I like challenges."

Mona are fourth in Group B, tied on 13 points with third-place Bridgeport. They have two games left in the group, the first being Saturday against hosts and leaders STATHS, who have 18 points.

Mona appear to have their best opportunity in years to gain qualification for the second round. Defending champions Jamaica College's struggles, second on 16 points, have opened the group to perhaps be decided on the final day.