Mona, JC set for grudge match

With the ISSA Manning Cup quarterfinals set to kick off today, defending champions Mona High will draw battle lines in a mammoth clash against fierce rivals Jamaica College (JC) at Stadium East in the first match of a double-header.

After delays caused by Tropical Storm Rafael, Mona and JC will take to the field to open their campaign in the quarterfinal round at 2 pm before Kingston College (KC) and Tivoli Gardens High kick off the second game of the afternoon at 4:15 pm.

Mona are enjoying an impressive 25-game unbeaten streak in the Manning Cup which dates back to last season.

In fact, Mona’s last defeat in the Manning Cup competition came at the hands of JC in the semifinals two years ago where JC triumphed 2-1 in a close contest.

Since that defeat, Mona have recorded 22 wins and three draws while dethroning former champions JC along the way.

Mona’s coach Kyle Butler said the team is ready to claim yet another hold on the title as they seek to cement their legacy in schoolboy football.

He stated that their intention is to finish atop the group with another perfect record against their opponents.

“We have gears that we keep going into, not just on the pitch but mentally as well,” Butler explained.

“The boys are ready to go into another zone. We’re definitely going into the final eight of the competition and into the next round with the same intentions that we’ve had before, which is to get all three points from every game.”

JC, who are also unbeaten this season, missed out on winning the Manning Cup last year and had to settle with claiming the Walker Cup KO title.

They will be hoping they can topple the reigning champions as head coach Davion Ferguson looks to reclaim their lost crown.

The boys from Old Hope Road were less-than-convincing in their last outing where they settled a dull 1-1 draw with St Catherine High to advance to the quarterfinals.

“At JC, the objective is to always defend or regain our crown. That’s always been our mission,” Ferguson said after his team’s draw with St Catherine. “We won a trophy last season but it was not the one we wanted.”

Following the fixture, KC will take on Tivoli with the intent of returning to winning ways after falling 1-0 to STATHS in their last outing during the second round.

Over at JC’s Ashenheim Stadium, Excelsior High will face Hydel High in their opening quarterfinal fixture.

Also on today is the St Catherine High versus Campion College clash at the Spanish Town Prison Oval. The match will be Campion’s first foray in the quarterfinals in over three decades with their last appearance back in 1989.

Mona High vs Jamaica College at Stadium East (2 pm)

Kingston College vs Tivoli Gardens at Stadium East (4:15 pm)

St Catherine High vs Campion College at Spanish Town Prison Oval (3 pm)

Excelsior High vs Hydel High at Jamaica College (3 pm)