_{Gwen Lizarraga High School boys – 2025 CSSSA male football champions}

by William Ysaguirre (freelance reporter)

BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 17, 2025

The Gwen Lizarraga High School boys won their 2nd back-to-back Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) football championship at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon, February 15.

In Game 1 the consolation match for 3rd place, the Sadie Vernon Technical boys upset the hitherto undefeated Anglican Cathedral College boys, 2-1, with goals by Kenard Armstrong (33’) and Devon Augustine (72’), after ACC’s Raymond Bowen (38’) had equalized 1-1.

_{Wesley College boys – 2025 CSSSA male football sub-champs}

In Game 2, the defending champions Gwen Liz boys marched over Wesley College, 10-0, led by Calvin Thurton’s beaver hat trick, (30 seconds, 5’, 10’ & 17’) and Devin McCaulay’s brace (38’ & 72’). Other goals came by Raymond Gentle (43’), Shane Vernon (48’) – a penalty, Jonathan “Toto” Garay (56’) and Ajare August (62’).

_{(Excelsior’s) Esmond Sanker – Most Goals}

Individual awards:  Most Valuable Player – Calvin Thurton (Gwen Liz); Most Goals – Esmond Sanker (Excelsior); Best Defense – Christon Linarez (Gwen Liz); and Best Goalkeeper – Shane Vernon (Gwen Liz).

_{Gwen Liz stars, (l to r) Christon Linares – Best Defense; Shane Vernon – Best Goalkeeper; Calvin Thurton – Most Valuable Player}

The Gwen Liz boys will represent the Central Region at the upcoming National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) football championships to be hosted by Mount Carmel High School at the Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo Del Carmen on Friday and Saturday, February 21-22.