Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Based on the confidence exuding from the various camps, today's two semi-final games in the 2008 ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup schoolboy football competition should be chockfull of excitement as all four teams - Ben Francis champions St James High, Lacovia High, Lennon High and Spalding High - are all bubbling and raring to go as they seek their first hold on the coveted title.

In the games slated for 3p.m., St James will battle Lacovia High at Jarrett Park, a repeat of their Ben Francis KO semi-final clash, while the high-riding Lennon High will lock horns with Spalding High at the St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) grounds.

St James High should start favourites in their game against Lacovia as they have been invincible at Jarrett Park this season. In addition, their record of 14 wins, three draws and one defeat in 18 daCosta Cup games, speak volumes of their quality.

Camping together

"We have been camping together for the past three days and the spirit in the camp is very high," said Pastor Hugh Solomon, coach of St James. "We are ready and we expect to get the job done."

For their part, the Lacovia outfit, which has been the surprise team of the season, is looking forward to upgrade what is also a great season into an exceptional one.

According to coach Errol White, who has guided the team to their impressive 12 wins, four draws and two defeats in 18 games, the team is ready to avenge their 2-1 Ben Francis KO loss to St James.

"We have a few niggling injuries in the camp, but we will be ready come game time," said White. "We have re-assessed our 2-1 Ben Francis KO lost to St James and we have made the required adjustments."

While St James will be banking on the likes of rock-solid defender, Fabian McCarthy, the gifted Ricardo Morris in midfield and strikers Allan Ottey and Nicholi Barrett, who have 41 goals between them, Lacovia believe they have enough quality in Nikoy Smith and Javid Morris to give them victory.

Having beaten Spalding 3-0 in their Ben Francis KO clash, the Merron Gordon-coached Lennon, unbeaten in the competition with an impressive 13 wins and three draws in their 16 daCosta Cup games, must start favourites to beat Spalding once again.

Raring to go

"We are ready and raring to go as we fully expect to win this game," said Gordon. "Our plan at this time is to end the competition unbeaten and we are just two games away from doing that."

However, having gone through the just concluded quarter-final phase with a 100 percent win record, the Spalding camp, which has 11 wins, four draws and one defeat in the competition, is convinced that they have made the required adjustments to bury the ghost of their Ben Francis KO loss to Lennon.

"We are so ready that we wish the game could be played at this very moment," Alexander Morgan, the coach of the Spalding team, told The Gleaner yesterday. "This is an opportunity of a lifetime and we are not about to let it pass us."

With the likes of Dwight Dunk, skipper Avian Johnson and national player Levaughn Williams, the team's leading goalscorer with 15, Lennon have much spunk, but Spalding should make it a tough contest through the likes of Jason Henry, Andre Salmon and Kevon Moore.