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John Gray High School’s search for excellence on the field finally came to fruition as the young men from JGHS secured their first Dart Under 13 boys’ high school football league title this past week at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex. The maroon-clad young men came from behind to defeat Cayman International School (CIS) 13 Boys Blue 4-1 in a thrilling Champions Cup final that marked the end of the 2025 season. In the girls’ division, also played at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex, defending champions Cayman Prep continued their dominance in the competition as they secured yet another Dart Under 13 title downing private school neighbours St. Ignatius Catholic School 5-0 in the Girls’ Champions Cup final. JGHS (maroon) battle CIS 13 Boys Blue in the 2025 Dart U13 Boys’ Champions Cup final. JGHS’s road to the final began with a 6-1 semi-final victory over CHHS while CIS 13 Boys Blue eliminated Cayman Prep 13A 5-1 in their semi-final. Ironically, the regular season encounter between the two schools had ended 4-4, so there would be no clear favourite going into this final. CIS started the game well as Toby Bell’s swerving 25-yard smasher found the back of the JGHS net to loud cheers from the large CIS contingent in the stands. On their heels but beginning to find their form and urged on by the JGHS student body, the JGHS boys were soon back on level terms as Kalian Webb scored from a corner. With confidence now at a high, JGHS streamed forward and were soon rewarded as the always-busy Xavi Tibbetts netted his school’s second just before halftime The second half started well for both schools as chances were plentiful. Both goalkeepers were kept very busy but JGHS’s Orantis Rankine made it 3-1 midway through the second half and as the clock wound down, Samuel Powery sealed the 4-1 win from the penalty spot. A first Dart Under 13 title for JGHS and obvious disappointment for CIS. Cayman Prep (teal) battle St. Ignatius in the 2025 Dart U13 Girls’ Champions Cup final. Third place in the 2025 Dart Under 13 boys’ division went to Cayman Prep 13A who defeated Clifton Hunter High School (CHHS) 5-0. In the Girls’ Champions Cup final, Cayman Prep’s young ladies were unstoppable as they ran out 5-0 winners over St. Ignatius Catholic School. The two schools had met only a week before on the last day of the regular season as Cayman Prep etched out a 2-0 win. On this particular day, St. Ignatius simply had no answer to Prep’s offensive prowess as Olivia Blair netted twice with Chloe Purvis, Clara Walker and Lela Turrell adding a goal each to keep the coveted Dart Cup at Cayman Prep for another year. To their credit, St. Ignatius’ young ladies battled courageously from the opening whistle to the final whistle. In the Girls’ Consolation Cup Final played on the same day at the CIFA Field, CIS defeated CHHS 2-1. Complete regular season and cup scores and final regular season standings in the Dart Under 13 high school football leagues can be viewed on the Cayman Youth Football Leagues (CYFL) website at www.caymanyouthfootball.ky.
