NSSSA Football Champions Sacred Heart College Hawks – Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Sacred Heart College Hawks are the new NSSSA Boys National Football Champions, edging Orange Walk Technical High School 4–3 on penalties after a tense 1–1 draw through 30–30 regulation and 10 minutes of extra‑time at the Marion Jones Sports Complex in Belize City. The two‑day tournament was hosted by Wesley College on last Friday and Saturday, February 19–20.
NSSSA Football MVP Freddy Cardona – Sacred Heart College Hawks – Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre
The final lived up to its billing, with both regional champions trading blows in a fiercely contested match. Sacred Heart struck early when Jahson Stanford finished calmly in the 11th minute, giving the Hawks a 1–0 lead at the interval. Orange Walk Technical responded after the restart, with John Gideon firing home in the 28th minute to level the score.
The Northern champions nearly completed the turnaround when Jaylen Hall won a penalty after being brought down inside the box, but Sacred Heart’s goalkeeper — and eventual Most Valuable Player — Freddy Cardona produced a superb save to keep the match tied. Hall later hit the crossbar near the end of extra‑time, but the effort was ruled offside.
NSSSA Football Subchampions Orange Walk Technical High School – Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre
With no winner after 70 minutes of football, the championship came down to penalties. Orange Walk Technical goalkeeper Eric Rodriguez denied Sacred Heart’s second attempt, but the Hawks remained composed as Rui Mangar, Elroy Willis, Nathan Guzman, and Cody Pandy converted. For Sugar City, Roman Vargas, Keizar Rodney, and Rodriguez scored, but Cardona delivered again, stopping the final two attempts to secure the national title for Sacred Heart.
The victory ends Gwen Lizarraga’s reign and sends the boys’ championship trophy back to the West.
NSSSA Football 3rd Place Julian Cho Technical High School – Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre
Third‑Place Match
Julian Cho Technical High School claimed third place with a 1–0 win over Gwen Lizarraga High School on Saturday morning. Valdemar Caal struck in the 3rd minute, and the Southern champions protected the lead up to the final whistle.
Friday’s Semifinals
- Game 1: Sacred Heart advanced to the final with a 2–1 victory over Julian Cho. The Hawks overturned an early deficit after Mervin Lopez scored for Julian Cho in the 6th minute, responding through Rui Mangar in the 26th and Jahson Stanford in the 58th.
- Game 2: Orange Walk Technical reached the final by eliminating defending champions Gwen Lizarraga High School 4–2 on penalties after a 0–0 draw through regulation and extra‑time. Carlos Gonzalez, Keizar Rodney, Oscar Rodriguez, and Roosevelt Rodney converted for the Northern champions, while only Barack Morey and Christon Linares scored for Gwen Liz.
The Sacred Heart College Hawks will now represent Belize at the regional CODICADER Games to be held in Honduras in September.
NSSSA Football 4th Place Gwen Lizarraga High School – Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre
The post Sacred Heart College Hawks claim NSSSA football title after dramatic shootout appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
NSSSA Football Champions Sacred Heart College Hawks – Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Sacred Heart College Hawks are the new NSSSA Boys National Football Champions, edging Orange Walk Technical High School 4–3 on penalties after a tense 1–1 draw through 30–30 regulation and 10 minutes of extra‑time at the Marion
The post Sacred Heart College Hawks claim NSSSA football title after dramatic shootout appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
