Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

With seven inter-zone places and eight Ben Francis Knockout slots up for grabs, it should be high drama and much intrigue this afternoon when the curtain comes down on the preliminary round of the 2009 ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup schoolboy football competition, with matches in all 12 zones slated to begin at 3:30 p.m.

While all the games that can impact the outcome in the various zones are significant, the top-of-the-table Zone A clash between champions St James High and Cornwall College, who are both locked on 24 points, could well steal the spotlight.

A win for St James would not only be sweet revenge for their first-round 0-1 loss, but it would keep them in line to retain their Ben Francis title.

"We want to retain the Ben Francis Cup and we can't do so without winning the zone," said Pastor Hugh Solomon, coach of St James. "So we will be throwing all we have got into this game."

Slot still up for grabs

With Zone B's two inter-zone places and the Ben Francis slot still up for grabs, it should be epic action in the games featuring leaders Anchovy (8) against Rusea's (7), and Frome (6) against Irwin High (4). While victory for any team could mean advancing, a loss would definitely end their campaign.

In Zone C, the top-of-the-table clash between qualifiers Mannings (14) and Grange Hill (11) will decide which take the much-prized Ben Francis slot. A win or a draw would be good enough for Mannings, but a win for Grange Hill, especially by a big margin, could make them zone champions.

In Zone D where Marcus Garvey have sealed the prized Ben Francis KO slot, Cedric Titus (22) and William Knibb (20) are battling out the other inter-zone place. A win for Cedric Titus against Brown's Town would take them through. However, a defeat and victory for William Knibb against Aabuthnott Gallimore would see William Knibb advancing.

The big Zone E showdown between St Elizabeth Technical High School (22) and Munro College (19) is a high stakes affair. Should STETHS win, they would top the group but should Munro win, their outstanding game against Newell High would have to be played to decide the group's winner.

Another interesting scenario looms in Zone F. If leaders Bellefield (22) beat May Day (3) and second-place Manchester High (21) lose to Belair (11), Bellefield will win the group. However, if both teams win, the outstanding game between Manchester and DeCarteret (11) will have to be played to decide the group winner.

With Lennon (15) already sealing one of the inter-zone places from Zone H, the big showdown between Clarendon College (12) and Vere (11) will decide the other qualifier. Interestingly, should Lennon lose their game to Claude McKay and Clarendon College beat Vere, goal difference will decide whether Lennon or Glenmuir are group winners.

Despite being the first qualifier from Zone I for the inter-zone, Old Harbour's (21) bid for top honours could be thwarted if they lose to Garvey Maceo (17) and second-place Glenmuir (19) beat Central High. Like Zone H, goal difference would have to be used to decide the winner.

Second-place battle

In Zone J where Dinthill have sealed the Ben Francis KO spot, the battle for the second inter-zone place will be determined by the outcome of the games between Tacky and Charlemont, and Bog Walk and McGrath. Charlemont and Bog Walk are both on 20 points and should they both win, goal difference will be the decider.

In Zone K, a win for St Mary High (21) against St Mary Technical will see them joining Ben Francis KO qualifiers Annotto Bay in the inter-zone round. However, should they lose, Brimmervale High (18), which have an outstanding game, could squeeze into the inter-zone phase.

Zone L will see the final of the four-team play-off between Port Antonio and Paul Bogle. The winner will top the group and qualify for the Ben Francis KO.