By Richard Bryan, Freelance Writer

Clarendon fans should think, with some justification, that their parish could field at least one of the finalists in both the daCosta and Ben Francis Cup competitions. The parish is host to Groups H and I, two formidably organised groups that just may include this year's title holder.

Group H is lead by Clarendon College, a team that has not won since 1996 when Jackie Walters last coached them. A myriad of high-profile coaches and past students have tried to fill the gap left by Walters, with the latest being Kevin 'Sensei' Williams who played on the winning 1991 team. Garfield Robinson, the architect of the school's strong youth programme, and by extension that of the parish, confided in Star Sports that mistakes in the organisation of the coaching staff had affected the schools performance. He, however, feels satisfied in Williams' elevation.

Talk of Clarendon's reputation has been highlighted by the emerging prowess of Denbigh High, a school which has been on the fringes for some time but appears to have caught up with the big boys. The school is home to John Ross Doyley and Marvin Boothe, considered two of the country's brightest young talents who were members of the recent Jamaica Under-17 team to the regional tournament in Trinidad and Tobago.

The team is coached by Garfield Carney, a protegé of legendary Clarendon youth coach, John Green. However, their biggest plus is having won the pre-daCosta Cup tournament for Clarendon-based schools, defeating Glenmuir 5-3 on penalties. Group H is completed by Edwin Allen, who had the advantage of hosting a number of schools for pre-season training such as Lennon and Thompson Town. Action gets under way on Tuesday with Edwin Allen hosting Lennon and Thompson Town hosting Clarendon College.

SHORT OF FIREPOWER

Back in the hunt are two-time champions Glenmuir who carried all the hype leading up to last year's final, only to be tamed by Godfrey Stewart. Coach Jackie Walters' team will be short of firepower this year and he has understandably taken a wait-and-see approach.

Glenmuir competes in Zone I which once again sees the return of Old Harbour who last year played in the St. Catherine group of schools. Old Harbour, should make things a little more complicated in a group which will add steel to any team which finishes in the top two.

Vere, who are a far cry from their glory days of the 1960s and '70s, have Herbert 'Diego' Gordon at the helm. Garvey Maceo, a traditional favourite in these parts, have been unconvincing given a poor run in their practice games, having lost 0-3 to St. Catherine, Spaldings and Lennon. However, Kevin Morrison, a past player who has close connections to the coaching staff, believes some Clarendon schools like Vere and Garvey Maceo cannot be discounted.

'In Clarendon, you cannot watch certain pre-season results. Take a Vere or Garvey and say 'CC' (short for Clarendon College), once their spectators get going, they are a totally different team," he said.

Kempshill and Central complete Zone I.

Action gets under way on Wednesday with Vere hosting Glenmuir; Garvey Maceo playing Central and Old Harbour hosting Kempshill.