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Excelsior High begin schoolgirls football title defence
February 11, 2025
Schoolgirl football giants Excelsior High will begin their quest for their ninth straight title today when they take Merl Grove High in the ISSA Tip Friendly Society Schoolgirls football season opener at Excelsior High School at 3:30 p.m.
The match will be the feature of a doubleheader as Meadowbrook High will face off against Tivoli Gardens in the first game of the afternoon at 1 p.m.
Excelsior's head coach Xavier Gilbert believes they have the quality to extend their dominance. He insisted, however, that this year's campaign will not be as easy because the team has lost several of their key players.
"It's a new season and we have a different set of players. I think they can get the job done but I know it will take some time for them to really gel and work together," Gilbert said.
"It is a young unit and I think they are good enough to take home the title, but other teams are also good enough to beat us. It's going to be tough but I think the quality is there to take home the title," the head coach continued.
Gilbert believes once his players stick to their set game plan they should be able to come away with all three points today.
The last time the teams met, Excelsior thumped Merl Grove 24-nil last year.
Gilbert expects Merl Grove to be a much improved team this time around.
"They are a totally different team now. They have a new coach and some new players so it will be a totally different ball game this time around. I think if we are not smart in terms of what we do on the field, then they will have a chance to beat us."
His sentiments were echoed by Merl Grove's head coach Neo Oxford.
Oxford, who took over the head coach position in November last year, said his players will come with the intention of leaving with three points.
He promised an exciting display on the pitch as he is ready to banish the ghosts of the past as he said there will not be a repeat of their 24-nil drubbing.
"We're approaching the game like any other one as three points are on the table and that is what we're coming for," Oxford said.
"The girls understand the assignment. They've played Excelsior before but what they did last year, I guarantee it won't happen again this year.
"It won't be as easy for them as I said, we're coming to play for three points so it will be war on the field."
