Excelsior a step away from ninth-straight schoolgirl title
Published:Wednesday | April 16, 2025 | 12:10 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
WHEN EXCELSIOR High takes on Holmwood Technical today in the final of the ISSA TIP Friendly Society Schoolgirls Football Competition, the Eagles will be hoping to claim their ninth consecutive hold on the title.
Excelsior and Holmwood will renew their rivalry for the third year in a row in the competition’s final when they face off at Stadium East at 4:15 p.m.
The game will be the second match of a double header as Garvey Maceo and Merl Grove will lock horns in the third-place playoff set for 2 p.m.
Xavier Gilbert, head coach of Excelsior, said he anticipates a tough encounter against Holmwood, who will have added motivation to dethrone his team, having lost the last two finals in a row.
“Things have been going well so far for us, and hopefully, we can come out and execute,” Gilbert told The Gleaner ahead of the match.
“It is definitely going to be a tough game. It is a final, and it can go any way, but as best as possible, we want to retain our title. They have lost to us on the last two occasions and I’m sure they will do as much as possible to turn the tide.”
At the start of the season, Gilbert had voiced some reservations about his team’s readiness for the competition as he explained that he would be fielding a largely inexperienced squad.
Now at the season’s finale, he believes that the players have grown into their own and are ready to challenge for silverware.
“To be honest, I am very happy with the way they have acquitted themselves throughout the season,” Gilbert said.
“I am happy with where they are now from where they were coming from, and my hat goes off to them for making it to the final.”
Excelsior had booked their spot to the final after blanking Garvey Maceo 5-0 in their semi-final encounter.
For Holmwood, the game is a chance of redemption, having lost the last two finals 9-1 and 8-0, respectively.
They secured their tickets to the final after edging Merl Grove 5-3 on penalties following a scoreless draw in regulation time.