Determined Marian, first-timers Santa Rosa battle for Pee-Wee title today

It would be either a tale of the prodigal son finally returning to glory or a clean sweep for first-timers when the 11th edition of the Courts Optical Pee-Wee Under-11 Schools’ Football final is contested at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground in Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown today.
Marian Academy and Santa Rosa Primary both booked their tickets to the premier game of the season a week ago, by respectively defeating 2023 Champions St. Pius Primary and St John the Baptist Primary by similar margins of 2-1.
With the future of Guyana’s football talent on show, there will be some crucial players to look out for in what is being touted as one of the best Pee-Wee final battles in years.
Marian Academy’s Joshua Johnson and Cristiano LaRose have been critical at the top for their school, while two defenders have proven almost impenetrable at the back. On the other hand, Santa Rosa’s Taz La Rose and Deon Henry are a similarly prolific combination up top, but with the addition of Ethan John’s precision at the back, a mouthwatering contest awaits.

Marian Academy’s Coach Troy Wright, who only a year ago led the school’s Girls’ team to the MVP Sports Girls Pee- Wee Championship, is confident that his male troops can pick up their second title in the competition, more than a decade later.
“My team improved from last year. Last year we were knocked out by that same school in the quarterfinals, and I tell them we could reach next year finals (but we) just have to work hard and continue doing what I tell you to do,” Wright said about their semifinal performance.
Addressing the winning combination of LaRose and Johnson in the striking positions, Wright explained, “Yes, the combination is crucial, because it’s something we work on in our practice. Cris to Johnson, Johnson to Chase, that scored the first goal in the quarterfinal against Enterprise; and, upfront, it’s a good combination. We’ve been working on it actually every day in practice.”
Quizzed on what a victory in today’s game would mean to the Carifesta Avenue-based outfit, the Coach responded, “It would mean a lot to me. Because when I was asked by Marian Principal to come and coach the school…I said the children are talented but just certain things need to be polished up, and once they listen to me and I could polish up that area, they will be successful. I did it last year with the girls’ team after 12 years, and I have the boys now.”

Santa Rosa’s Coach Earl Richards was equally as contented with his team’s performance in last week’s semifinal. Richards related to this publication, “I think the guys sticked to the game plan from the inception. At the half-way stage, we devised a different plan (in) trying to defend the two goals, but we had to adjust that plan and continue moving forward. But I’m pleased with the results.”
Having watched the opposition play on multiple occasions, Richards is confident of crafting a plan that could trump Marian Academy.
“Yes, we are! We were confident all the way, and we are still very much confident! I think that once we stick to our game plan in the finals…I would’ve seen Marian play, and that’s a plus. I think that I was able to at least see two of their games. So, I think we’ll come up with a good plan, and we’ll be able to pull this off,” he explained.
Each coach is pretty confident in their troops’ ability to take home the Championship Trophy. A self-assured Wright has said, “Yes, I’m confident! once I beat St Pius, I’m confident! That school was the stumbling block, and I tell the guys (if) we get past them, we’ll win this championship. If they just listen, follow instruction, our defense is holding, the combination with Joshua and Crissy is playing well. If we continue with that, Marian will become the champion again, after 13 years.”
On the other hand, Richards said, “This will mean almost everything to the school. It’s their first year, in the 11th edition of the Courts Pee-Wee. So, coming first time and taking the trophy back home, I can only imagine what the celebration would be like back home.”