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Ben Francis KO aspirants aim to make second chance count
December 11, 2025
Looking to shake off the sting of their early ISSA daCosta Cup exit, Ocho Rios High will aim to reset their season this afternoon when they host Old Harbour High in the opening round of the ISSA Ben Francis Cup knockout at Drax Hall, starting at 3.
The match will be one of two games on schedule.
Crashing out of the daCosta Cup with back-to-back defeats might still be on the minds of Ocho Rios.
In their last encounter, Ocho Rios edged Old Harbour 1-0. Both teams finished third and fourth, respectively, in the round of 16, with Ocho on three points and Old Harbour on zero.
Whether Ocho Rios can make use of their home advantage or Old Harbour will pull off an upset, today's clash should roar back the life of intensity, passion and drama the Ben Francis Cup KO once delivered.
QUEST FOR REDEMPTION
Still reeling from a disappointing daCosta Cup elimination, Manchester High will begin their quest for redemption today as they welcome a young William Knibb Memorial at Manchester playing field at 3 p.m.
Manchester finished on a point in Group 3 with only a draw, while in Group 1 William Knibb ended on a zero, losing their games.
Head coach of William Knibb, Dewight Jeremiah, said qualifying for the Ben Francis KO is offering more opportunities.
"The boys are here in the Ben Francis KO and I keep saying it's another chance," said Jeremiah. "It's a knockout competition, dig deep, get wins and we are in the semifinals of the competition. That would be massive for 12 or 13-year-olds," said Jeremiah.
With the recent withdrawal from Maggotty High on Monday, The Manning's School and fallen daCosta Cup champions Garvey Maceo High will have to wait on Tuesday, December 16, to see some action.
Maggotty were set for their opening match today against Manning's School.
Maggotty's coaching staff issued a statement saying the decision to withdraw was not easy.
"This decision was not made lightly. In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, many of our student-athletes were left emotionally and mentally affected by the circumstances surrounding their homes, families, and daily lives," the statement read.
"After careful assessment, it became evident that the players were not mentally prepared or disciplined enough at this time to endure the intensity and long-term demands required for the competition."
Both Garvey Maceo and Manning's got a bye and will wait for the results of today's games and the end of the daCosta Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.
