The Northern Regional Football Tournament was held on Saturday, January 28th at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk Town. A boat full of over sixty students, fans and teachers left the island on Friday afternoon around 4PM to brave the waters to what was certain to be a big victory for both male and female football teams. Arriving in Orange Walk a little after 8:30PM, the kids had just enough time to grab some food and head off to bed to get rest for the following day’s games.
A total of six games were played with eight teams competing. There were four male teams and four female teams. In the female category: CCC – Corozal Community College: K.C. – Kings College; OWTHS – Orange Walk Technical High School and SPHS – San Pedro High School. In the male category: ESTM – Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico; SPHS – San Pedro High School; BMHS Bishop Martin High School and BHSA Belize High School of Agriculture,
The games started shortly after 8AM, with CCC taking out KC in a score of 2:0 in the 25th and 26th minutes of the game. SPHS boys took to the field a little after 10AM going up against ESTM. The boys played tirelessly, with the rains adding to the challenge. At the end of the game, neither teams had score. This took the game into penalty shots.
With excited onlookers scavenging for shelter while trying to get a good view of the penalty shots, it was on. After seven takes at the goal, the San Pedro team missed the first shot, giving the win to ESTM in a score of 4:3. In game three it was SPHS girls turn to take to the field. Under pouring rains the girls marched to the field and started their warm up. Going up against OWTHS, this was also another tight match. At the end of the game, neither teams had score a goal.
The game went into penalty shots once more and, like the boys team – the SPHS girls missed their fourth shot, naming OWTHS, winners in a game of penalty scores of 4:3. Game four saw BMHS going up against BHSA. In the 6th minute of the game Sair Espejo of BHSA took his team in the lead with the first goal scored. In the 47th minute, Leonardo Velasquez of BHSA took the game to a tie when he scored their first goal. Shortly after, in the 49th minute, Rafael Avila scored the second goal for BMHS, giving them the win.
Game five saw OWTHS and CCC going up for first and second place. CCC took the lead in the 22nd minute of the game, when Yarima Che scored the first goal. Shortly after, Yarima Chan or OWTHS tied the game in the 34th minute of the game. Both teams fought for the winning score, but at the end of the game, they remained at a tie. This game went into penalty where OWTHS was able to score the winning goal.
In the sixth game, ESTM went up against BMHS for first and second place. ESTM quickly took the lead, with Eliazar Itza scoring the first goal in the 11th minute. ESTM continued their winning streak with Jeffry Loria scoring the second goal in the 28th minute. BMHS was able to get on the scoring board in the 54th minute when Nadir Torres was able to score the only goal for BMHS.
At the end of the day’s activities, the winners are as follows:
In the female category:
1st Place: Orange Walk Technical High School (OWTHS)
2nd Place: Corozal Community College (CCC)
3rd Place: San Pedro High School (SPHS)
In the male category:
1st Place: Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico (ESTM)
2nd Place: Bishop Martin High School (OWTHS)
3rd Place: San Pedro High School (SPHS)
The San Pedro Sun takes this opportunity to congratulate all the teams that competed, the winners and especially our representatives, the San Pedro High School Boys and Girls Teams who did us proud by playing exceptionally and showing great team work and persistence.
