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William Knibb U14s hunt school’s first ISSA football title against Garvey Maceo - Cornwall, Glenmuir in showdown for U16 crown
March 12, 2026
It will be a go hard or go home in the grand finale of the ISSA/Burger King schoolboy competition, when the Under-14 and Under-16 teams clash for titles today at St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) Sports Complex.
In the Under-14 clash, Garvey Maceo High and William Knibb will kick off the doubleheader at 2 p.m., while the Under-16 final will match Cornwall College against Glenmuir High at 4 p.m.
Lester Hibbert, coach from Garvey Maceo said the team needs to continue the hard work and focus on winning the trophy.
"We have to work ... because the job is not done as yet. We want to win this trophy. The players' minds are made up and they are undefeated right through the competition, so we are going for the title," said Hibbert.
Garvey Maceo edged Cornwall 7-6 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw in regulation time to advance to the finals.
The Clarendon-based Garvey Maceo have been consistently good lately in schoolboy football. They were back-to-back champions a few seasons ago in the Under-14 competition and were crowned 2024 daCosta Cup champions. They were also 2024 Under-14 semifinalists.
Despite Garvey's recent history, Dewight Jeremiah, coach of William Knibb said his team is closely matched and anticipates a tough game.
"It will be our first ever football title (opportunity) at any level for U14, U16 or daCosta Cup. Garvey is a school that has a history of doing well at schoolboy level, so I wouldn't be surprised if they're installed as favourites, and on those grounds, they probably would be," Jeremiah said.
He also noted that William Knibb lost two games this season.
Both teams met in the quarterfinal round, which ended in a draw.
"I expect, a difficult, game, but I think my boys are really anticipating doing well and lifting the school's first ever crown," added Jeremiah.
BATTLE-HARDENED
In the Under-16 final, Cornwall are marching into the final battle-hardened and hungry, carrying the weight of expectation and a tradition that demands excellence.
The boys from Orange Street in Montego Bay secured a 4-1 win over longtime rivals Rusea's High to cruise into the finals, keeping their unbeaten record intact.
According to Tevin Applewhaite, preparations have been going well and few adjustments will be made.
"I think we need to have more gear management in terms of how we possess the ball whenever we score. In the semifinals the negative thing for us is when we scored, we rushed the game," explained Applewhaite.
"Most of these boys are coming down from the d'Cup, and knowing that we didn't go far, we wanted to be in the final. The boys are hungry for the Under-16 title."
Meanwhile, Glenmuir have been a dominant force in rural schoolboy football over the years.
Glenmuir snatched a victory from last year's finalists, Clarendon College, 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time, to advance to the finals.
