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OCHO RIOS High School head coach, Veron Peterkin, says after their historic run in the ISSA daCosta Cup football competition last season, the team is focused on continuing from where they left off.
Peterkin, who guided the team to historic heights, told The Gleaner the preseason is progressing well.
“We are focusing on putting our best foot forward and not getting ahead of ourselves, “ said Peterkin.
“We are training hard, and [are] where we want to be at this time,” added Peterkin.
Surprise team last season, Ocho Rios became the first daCosta Cup team in St Ann to advance to the semi-finals and Champions Cup.
Despite losing several players who graduated from the programme, Peterkin said the young team is now looking to rebuild.
“We lost seven players we had last season. There are nine remaining from the 16 we had last season. We have a lot of young players, but will mix what we have with the experienced players,” said Peterkin.
Continuing, he added: “We are comfortable with what we have at this time and are just keeping the balance right.”
Ocho Rios were on the tip of tongues as they stunned the league, giving the parish a reason to dream.
However, they were quickly dismissed by first-time finalists McGrath High, who ran out 6-1 winners in the semi-finals.
Still, Peterkin, who is in his fourth season coaching, remains confident and has high expectations.
“Every team enters the competition to do well, so we would like to do the same. All I will say for now is that we are okay,” said Peterkin.
One player who will not be returning and played a key role last season for Ocho Rios is 15-year-old Dario James.
James, at the time, who was the youngest, stated that last season would be his last because he would be migrating.
Ocho Rios will be campaigning in Zone K in the first round alongside Brown’s Town, Marcus Garvey Technical High, Ferncourt High, Aabuthnott Gallimore, and York Castle.
The ISSA schoolboy football season will officially begin on Saturday, September 6.
English (US) ·