By Ian Prescott
Copyright trinidadexpress
AFTER an opening weekend filled with goals, late drama, and individual brilliance, attention now turns to round two of the 2025 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Boys’ Premier Division.
Today, defending League champions Fatima College and last season’s InterCol victors St Benedict’s College will get their respective campaigns up and running.
Naparima College—under the guidance of new head coach Angus Eve—were the standout performers in last weekend’s opening round, having thrashed Trinity East 7-0 at Lewis Street. Aaron Raymond announced himself with a hat-trick, while four other scorers highlighted the depth of the “Naps” attack.
Today, they travel to the Arima Velodrome to face Arima North Secondary, who battled to a 3-3 draw away to Scarborough in their opener. Arima showed spirit with goals from Zion Metiverre, Daron DeFour and Christian Hinds, but will face a much sterner test against the rampant southerners.
All eyes will also be on Fatima and Presentation College (Sando), who both sat out the first weekend. Fatima head to Tobago for their opener against Scarborough Secondary at Shaw Park. Scarborough themselves played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Arima and will be eager to make a statement at home against the champions.
Meanwhile, “Pres” square off against Trinity East at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. The San Fernando institution is expected to come out strong against a Trinity side still licking their wounds after a heavy defeat to Naparima.
In Port of Spain, the storied rivalry between St Benedict’s College and Queen’s Royal College is expected to draw attention. QRC will be desperate to bounce back after throwing away a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with St Mary’s on opening day.
Elijah Noel and Jahsheem Pierre had put the Royalians in control, but late defensive lapses proved costly. St Benedict’s, meanwhile, begin their season at home and will look to lay down an early marker.
CIC, buoyed by their dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against QRC, host Carapichaima East at Serpentine Road, St Clair. “Caps” went down 4-1 to Trinity Moka last weekend and will need a sharp turnaround to avoid falling further behind. Trinity Moka, with hat-trick hero Jediah David, travel to Signal Hill Secondary, who make their season debut after their scheduled opener against San Juan North was postponed due to travel delays.
Other fixtures see St Anthony’s College hosting Malick Secondary, who fell 2-1 away to St Augustine last weekend. The “Green Machine” will try to build on that victory when they visit San Juan North, who also enter fresh, not having played on the opening day.
TODAY’S SSFL BOYS PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES:
(All matches kick off from 3:30 p.m.)
Scarborough Secondary vs Fatima College, Scarborough Ground
St Mary’s College vs Carapichaima East Secondary, St Mary’s Ground
Signal Hill Secondary vs Trinity College (Moka), Signal Hill Ground
St Benedict’s College vs Queen’s Royal College, To be advised
St Anthony’s College vs Malick Secondary, St Anthony’s Ground
San Juan North Secondary vs St Augustine Secondary, San Juan North Ground
Presentation College vs Trinity College East, Manny Ramjohn Stadium
Arima North Secondary vs Naparima College, Arima Velodrome
