School’s out! Wired868 highlights its favourite SSFL stars


The 2014 Secondary Schools Football League season reaches its climax this evening with a new champion set to be crowned as Mucurapo East Secondary faces St Benedict’s College in the Coca Cola National Intercol boys’ final from 5 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

(The Coca Cola National Intercol girls final is at the same venue from 3 pm and features Point Fortin East Secondary against St Augustine Secondary).

Naparima College, the Premier League and Big Four champs, finally allowed another school to win a trophy.

Photo: Naparima College players (from left) Jarred Dass, Nicholas Thomas, Martieon Watson and Justin Sadoo celebrate their Big Four success. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Naparima College players (from left) Jarred Dass, Nicholas Thomas, Martieon Watson and Justin Sadoo celebrate their Big Four success.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

But before we say “goodbye” to the class of 2014, Wired868 gives a “shout out” to the students whose performances we enjoyed the most this season:


Jamari Warrick (St Benedict’s College): Goalkeeper

The high-flying Warrick would like to become a pilot when he finishes school. But, with his calm, assured presence and safe hands, Wired868 thinks he might make a fine surgeon as well.

Nicholas Thomas (Naparima College): Right back

Local defenders tend to treat the opposing half of the field like a foreign planet. But the lively Thomas is always up for an expedition and is as competent in defence as he is in attack.

Josiah Trimmingham (San Juan North Secondary): Central defender

Photo: San Juan North's Josiah Trimmingham (centre) is tackled by St Anthony's College defender Isaiah McIntyre while St Anthony's captain Mawasi Charles (far right) and San Juan captain Brent Sam (far left) look on in Big Four action. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: San Juan North’s Josiah Trimmingham (centre) is tackled by St Anthony’s College defender Isaiah McIntyre while St Anthony’s captain Mawasi Charles (far right) and San Juan captain Brent Sam (far left) look on in Big Four action.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

Even school teachers probably tiptoe around the San Juan hulk; and he certainly knows how to throw his weight around on the field. He scored some vital goals this season too.

Rickel Dixon (St Mary’s College): Central defender

The first thing you notice about Dixon is his face guard, which protects a cheekbone injury. The second thing you realize, if you are an opposing striker, is you’re probably flat on your back wondering what happened as the uncompromising defender saunters off with the ball.


Simon Joseph (St Anthony’s College): Left back

Strong, mobile, committed and mean, you are guaranteed not to enjoy your afternoon if you are an opposing player on Joseph’s flank. He guards his turf jealously.

Aaron Noel (St Mary’s College): Midfielder

Photo: St Mary's College playmaker Aaron Noel (left) fires past St Anthony's College defender and captain Mawasi Charles. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: St Mary’s College playmaker Aaron Noel (left) fires past St Anthony’s College defender and captain Mawasi Charles.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

The slightly-built playmaker ends every match looking as banged-up as Bruce Willis in the “Die Hard” series. On his feet and in possession, he is as crafty as they come.

Shane Sandy (Naparima College): Midfielder

He runs and runs and runs some more. Whatever batteries Sandy uses, he should lend some to the Energiser Bunny.

Matthew Woo Ling (St Anthony’s College): Midfielder

Woo Ling’s left foot is so educated, it should teach Geometry. He is one of the SSFL’s best passers and set piece exponents.

Jabari Mitchell (Naparima College): Midfielder

It is hard to tell which players at this age would develop as an adult. Usually. With his all-round ability, composure and swagger, Mitchell seems destined to be a Trinidad and Tobago senior national team playmaker one day.

Brent Sam (San Juan North Secondary): Striker

Photo: San Juan North Secondary striker Brent Sam (left) tries to outrun St Benedict's College utility player Anthony Herbert during a SSFL Premier Division contest. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: San Juan North Secondary striker Brent Sam (left) tries to outrun St Benedict’s College utility player Anthony Herbert during a SSFL Premier Division contest.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

First touch? Check. Finishing ability? Check. Hunger for goals? Check. Balance? Check. San Juan North’s nimble giraffe was worth the price of admission this season. The only limits this fellah has are the ones he puts on himself.

Kwesi Allen (St Anthony’s College): Attacker

It is uncertain whether Allen’s best position is as an out-and-out striker, a winger or a support striker. There is no doubt about the accuracy and ferocity of his left foot strikes or his nose for goal, though.

And we were also impressed with:

Akeem Awong (Naparima College): Goalkeeper

Photo: Naparima College goalkeeper Akeem Awong (right) dives for the ball during the SSFL Big Four while St Anthony's College attacker Kwesi Allen looks on. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Naparima College goalkeeper Akeem Awong (right) dives for the ball during the SSFL Big Four while St Anthony’s College attacker Kwesi Allen looks on.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

He does not fly around between the uprights much; but that is because he is always in the right position to start with.

Levi O’Brien (San Juan North): Defender

Mobile, perceptive and ruthless.

Amritt Gildharry (Naparima College): Defender

A good reader of the game and composed; but not afraid to get dirty either.

Adrian Charles (Trinity College East): Midfielder

Intercept, pass and move. Repeat.

Tyrel Emmanuel (Shiva Boys Hindu College): Midfielder

Photo: Shiva Boys midfielder Tyrel "Pappy" Emmanuel (right) dribbles past Presentation College (San Fernando) midfielder Kareem Riley. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Shiva Boys midfielder Tyrel “Pappy” Emmanuel (right) dribbles past Presentation College (San Fernando) midfielder Kareem Riley.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

This playmaker rarely uses more than two touches; unless you force him to dribble you.

Martieon Watson (Naparima College): Midfielder

When the ball kicks off, Watson strides around as though he is the Naparima Principal. Absolutely unflappable.

Kathon St Hillaire (Mucurapo East Secondary): Attacker

The lively, versatile attacker turned around Mucurapo’s nightmare season in the Intercol competition.

Nicholas Dillon (Naparima College): Striker

Strong, efficient in his movement and a good finisher. The scary thing is you get the sense he has not neared his potential yet.

Chinua Bernard (St Mary’s College): Attacker

Photo: St Mary's College striker Chinua Bernard (left) troubles Fatima College defender Andrew Abraham during a SSFL Premier Division clash. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: St Mary’s College striker Chinua Bernard (left) troubles Fatima College defender Andrew Abraham during a SSFL Premier Division clash.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

Clever on the ball and a composed finisher.

 

Editor’s Note: What do you think of our choices? Of course, we missed some. Let us know your favourite players.

More from Wired868
Haynes notes “defensive frailties” and offensive bluntness, as U20s lose to makeshift senior team

The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-20 team got a lesson in humility at the Larry Gomes Stadium yesterday, as Read more

Justin Garcia, Jem Gordon snare top TTPFL prizes

Defence Force central defender Justin “Shiggy” Garcia was named the Player of the Season for the inaugural TT Premier Football Read more

AC close Caribbean campaign with solitary point, after D/Force draw

AC Port of Spain were made to settle for a point at the Hasely Crawford Stadium tonight, as they closed Read more

Moore strikes again, but D/Force held by Cavalier team with five teenagers

Defence Force head coach Lloyd Andrews accused his players of being too tentative on their return to Concacaf Caribbean Cup Read more

Club Sando fall to Lion; TTPFL side out of Caribbean Cup contention

Tiger Tanks Club Sando’s Caribbean adventure ends in Saint Kitts and Nevis this weekend, as a 2-1 semifinal defeat to Read more

Club Sando book Shield semifinal match-up with Martinique’s Lions

Tiger Tanks Club Sando are into the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield semifinals after playing unbeaten through the group stage. Read more

About Lasana Liburd

Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.

Check Also

Haynes notes “defensive frailties” and offensive bluntness, as U20s lose to makeshift senior team

The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-20 team got a lesson in humility at the …

40 comments

  1. What about the girls

  2. I think people should read and try to understand the article written.This is a team picked by Wired 868 based on the games they visited and it would be impossible for them to visit all the games.Therefore if the author picked this team that his opinion on the games he saw that doesn’t mean there weren’t other players more deserving of a pick. I personally like the picks but I will disagree with Woo Ling starting in front of Watson or Shim( who wasn’t picked at all). Big players step up on the big occasions against big sides and Woo Ling failed to deliver in the big games.When Naps trashed St.Anthony’s 5-1 Watson dominated the midfield a midfield that included Woo Ling,when Naps was down against Trinity Watson scored a superb freekick and I am sure Watson a national defender playing midfield have more goals this season than Woo Ling a national midfielder.Ethan Shim must be considered for the starting team the boy is one of the most intelligent footballer in the league and his winning goals against Naps and St.Anthony’s show that he know how to play the big occasion.By the way Jabari Mitchell is the run away footballer of the year and it ain’t even close. Sam probably had some good games but judging from his two performances against Naps on his home ground he failed to produce the goods for his team.I also think that Mucurapo #13 Micah is a player worth mentioning.

    • Yes. That is Micah Lansiquot. Mucurapo wasn’t at its best on the previous occasions I saw them play. But Micah did catch my eye. Matthew Joseph and Tarryl Cotou from St Benedict’s are good players too.

    • Ethan Shim was so good in the first game I saw him play against St Augustine that maybe I kept hoping to see him match that performance or better it. So I might have been a bit harsh on him. But I do like the player.

      • Shim was excellent in the game against Naps and I did see the Gustine game and he was good in that game too.I didn’t see the St.Anthony’s game but he did score the winner so he seem to have the nack for the big games.

  3. as the captain of SBC, I’m standing up for my team and my defense!! this is so unfair eh, St. Benedict’s College conceded the less amount of goals during the league that is 5 goals on the field of play and 3 because we lost a game by the fault, and the 5 goals that scored on us weren’t in open play! all the 5 goals came from corners, free kicks and a penalty! that says alot about our defense and our keeper! our keeper Jamari Joe Hart Warrick were named keeper of the year 😀 an am so happy for him 🙂 but it’s so unfair to our school still because even though statistics show that SBC had the best defense throw out the competition, it’s unfair to our defenders because nun of our defenders made the team of the year!! i think the school league should take a look into this matter!!!!!!! i think SBC should of been treated fairly (y)

    • Hello Taryll. I am happy for you to stand up on behalf of your team. This is not the official All Star list though. This is just based on the games that Wired868 has covered and the players I thought were the most consistent ones or who I felt contributed most for their schools.
      It is not a gauge of talent either. Martieon Watson is certainly talented enough to be on the first team and Ethan Shim should probably be in there too. But I felt some other players did a bit more for their respective schools with, sometimes, more responsibility.
      I thought St Benedict’s did very well in the Intercol final and good luck next season. Maybe the official SSFL All Star Team would be more to your liking. Take care.

    • Hello Taryll. I am happy for you to stand up on behalf of your team. This is not the official All Star list though.
      This is just based on the games that Wired868 has covered and the players I thought were the most consistent ones or who I felt contributed most for their schools.
      It is not a gauge of talent either. Martieon Watson is certainly talented enough to be on the first team and Ethan Shim should probably be in there too. But I felt some other players did a bit more for their respective schools with, sometimes, more responsibility.
      I thought St Benedict’s did very well in the Intercol final and good luck next season. Maybe the official SSFL All Star Team would be more to your liking.
      Take care.

    • okay my misunderstanding, i humbly apologies (y)

    • No problem. You played very well yesterday. It was a pity that the game didn’t go St Benedict’s way.

    • yup thanks an yh it was bitter sweet :/

  4. Ethan Shim was a tough one to leave out. But I think Kathon St Hillaire deserved that spot for his work with Mucurapo East, especially in the Intercol… And I’m a fan of Pappy.

  5. Allyuh crazy!. How you could leave out the star man!. Shim from st Mary’s is a boss!. I would play him and pappy in the center.

  6. You know how we talk in Trini…and better fete if he from the East, lol

  7. Lol. Brent Sam is from the East!

  8. Must rate a North man eh Lasana Liburd 🙂 haha !

  9. By the way, Matthew Joseph is impressing me at left back for St Benedict’s at the moment too.

  10. Kirwin Weston, Jabari probably deserves MVP with his performances and trophies. But I really rate Sam’s performance in carrying an unspectacular San Juan team. So he is in that conversation.

  11. Tyrel Emmanuel – Most Promising Talent

  12. The list good, and yes, Kyle Sylvester should have been there. You honestly cannot fit Levi into that list.

  13. Teflon Shawn, I tried to pick based on consistency from what I saw during the season. Ethan Shim was definitely in my thoughts.
    Also Kyle Sylvester, Levon Bass, Larry Brown, M’wasi Charles, Isaiah McIntyre, Kareem Riley and a couple more players. There was Anfernee Johnson at Arima North too and Maalik Campbell and Louie Johnson from Chaguanas North who I would have to check my team list to recall their names
    But every list will miss some players.

  14. Joe Dincecco this should help you with your recruitment!!!

  15. yea well he should have definitely been there… I would have thought that Pappy would have been in th 1st squad too…. Shim too…

  16. He probably played about 6 games this year Teflon Shawn

  17. Didn’t Levi Garcia compete in this year’s SSFL?

  18. Good luck Lasana. The problem with this kind of selection is that it is based on the games you have seen and of course you cannot see all.
    We the League executive have tried setting up a group of reporters who do our players of the year and we asked coaches to put in their choices based on games they played.
    We hope this works out
    I think the other team involved did pretty good too.

  19. Perpgnac (Compre), Shim (CIC), Rullow (Anthony’s), Gregory (Naps) and Garcia (Shiva)

  20. Gimme some names of a few players who impressed you that I missed Roneil K Walcott and Nicholas Griffith?

  21. Ite ite take win, but ok i recommending you for journalist of the year eh. i done send in muh nomination Lasana Liburd

  22. Hahaha. Ever heard of Levi O’Brien or Kathon St Hillaire? I never did. neither are national players. And they are both there.
    Let’s be fair Nicholas. 🙂

  23. I know i wanted to mentioned unless there were national players from secondary thats the only way Lasana Liburd.. Geh we small fries a bligh nah

  24. Lol. There were three players from San Juan, Nicholas Griffith. I don’t understand how you said that. Mucurapo East had a pick too.
    Just tell me the players you think I should put.
    This list isn’t based on who is better than who by the way. Just some players who I thought were more entertaining and enjoyed watching.

  25. surprised u squeezed in Noel, but this team would be worth watching though

  26. Mr Lasana Liburd only schools with college on the end have impressive players? Nanana, i like all wired articles but ah sure it must have only from a secondary school you u must’ve liked or has great potential, dont do we dat na man!!! Evn if the school relegated, lol.

  27. Woo Ling’s left foot is so educated, it should teach Geometry. Lolol

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.