Photo: Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico – NSSSA Male Football Champions 2023

BELIZE CITY, Wed. Feb. 22, 2023

The finals of the National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) 2023 football championships were held over the weekend for both females and males at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro. Female and male champions of all four country zones converged in San Pedro for the two-day knockout style championship finals. And, interestingly, when it was over, in each zone, both the female and the male teams earned the same place in the overall team rankings.

MALES

Participating zone-champion male teams were: (North) Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico from Orange Walk; (Central) Excelsior High School from Belize City; (West) Mt. Carmel High School from Benque Viejo; and (South) Delille Academy from Dangriga.

In the first-round opener on Friday, Mount Carmel High dropped Delille Academy, 2-0, with a goal each from Kayser Tut (31’) and Gidier Ayala (52’ PK). In the nightcap, Excelsior took an early lead through Kaylen McFoy (2’), but Escuela Secundaria came roaring back with goals from Jason Sanchez (30’ & 42’) and Milton Flores (42’) to secure the 3-1 victory and a spot in the Saturday’s finals.

The 3rd Place match on Saturday saw Delille Academy shutting out Excelsior, 2-0, with both goals coming from Aaron Estero (13’ & 34’).

The intensity of play in the championship match was reminiscent of the premier league finals between Verdes and Altitude that went all the way to overtime and penalties, but this one did not reach a penalty shootout. It was scoreless in first half of the 30-30 match, but early in second half Jason Sanchez converted a penalty (35’ PK) to give Escuela Secundaria the 1-nil lead; but it was short-lived, as Kayser Tut (3’) quickly equalized for Mount Carmel. It stayed knotted at 1-1 through regulation and the first 5 minutes of overtime. In the second half of overtime, Sanchez launched a long lob that sent Mount Carmel’s goalie Steven Albeno scrambling backwards as the ball dived just under the crossbar for what proved the game winning goal; 2-1 Escuela Secundaria de Mexico over Mount Carmel High for the NSSSA 2023 football championship.

The NSSSA committee presented team trophies after the games to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams, as well as the tournament Male MVP trophy which, despite Jason Sanchez’s 4 goals, this time went to the outstanding Secundaria goalkeeper, Brandon Castaneda who was instrumental in their victory.

Final team rankings for the males were: 1st Place – Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico (North); 2nd Mount Carmel High School (West); 3rd Delille Academy (South); and 4th Excelsior High School (Central).

FEMALES

Participating zone-champion female teams were: (North) Orange Walk Technical High School; (Central) Wesley College from Belize City; (West) St. Ignatius High School from Cayo; and (South) Independence High School.

In the first round opening female match on Friday, St. Ignatius High clipped Independence High, 1-0, on a goal from Tyra Thomas (23’). And in the nightcap, Orange Walk Technical High crushed Wesley College, 5-0, with goals from Debbie Lopez (6’), Elva Nunes (10’ & 40+2’) and Josefin Reyes (32’ & 35’).

The 3rd Place match on Saturday saw Independence High prevailing, 1-0, over Wesley College on a first half injury time goal by Shanelle Martinez (30+1’).

It was scoreless in first half of a keenly contested female championship final, but early in second half Orange Walk Technical’s Elva Nunes (33’) gave her team a 1-nil lead over St. Ignatius High. It was a fierce battle all through second half as St. Ignatius tried to equalize; but it was already into injury time when Elva Nunes (60+’) struck again to seal the 2-0 victory for Orange Walk Technical.

The NSSSA committee handed out team trophies following the game to the champions, 2nd place and 3rd place teams, as well as a trophy to the tournament Female MVP, Elva Nunes.

Final team rankings for the females were: 1st Place – Orange Walk Technical High (North); 2nd Saint Ignatius High School (West); 3rd Independence High School (South); and 4th Wesley College (Central)

(Information and Pics courtesy of William Ysaguirre)