THE much anticipated Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) LIME Manning Cup Competition kicks off today with 40 schools desperately trying to end St George’s College’s stranglehold on the competition.

The Neville Bell-coached St George’s College (STGC) have won the last two years and four of the last five years, but this year the ‘Light Blues’ of North Street will have their hands full going for the three-peat.

The prestigious Manning Cup will see 41 teams split into six groups of six, and one group of five, and based on a feedback to the Jamaica Observer, at least six schools are in with a realistic chance of lifting the trophy come November 23.

St George’s College, beaten finalist Hydel High, Wolmer’s Boys, Jamaica College, Excelsior High, and Kingston College are considered the strongest, with the likely winner coming from this bunch.

But a lot of other schools will beg to differ with the likes of Charlie Smith, Spanish Town, Norman Manley, Bridgeport High, and Calabar High very much in the thick of things.

There is no clear group of death, but Group D with STGC, Camperdown High, Charlie Smith, Vauxhall High, Donald Quarrie and Oberlin High, is the closest thing to a group of death.

STGC have lost most of their starting 11 players and are clearly not as powerful as previous years, but in national Under-20 players Cardel Benbow and Oshane Boothe, these will be a force to be reckoned with. They proved that last week with a come-from-behind win over KC in the Roper Cup extravaganza.

Charlie Smith, as usual, will have a decent side, as should Camperdown. Vauxhall High could very well be the surprise package in Group D.

Hydel High and Calabar High should have little difficulty coming out of Group A, which consists of St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS), Ascot High, Edith Dalton James, and Jonathan Grant.

Group B headed by the Lebert Halliman-coached Excelsior could be very interesting with the likes of Norman Manley, Waterford High, St Jago High, Cumberland, and Haile Selassie High.

Word on the streets is that Excelsior will be hard to beat, and either St Jago, Norman Manley or Waterford High will accompany them to the next round.

Wolmer’s Boys look a safe bet in Group C and should easily advance from a relatively weak zone, including Clan Carthy High, Denham Town, Kingston Technical, Papine High, and St Catherine High.

Group E could be interesting although JC are expected to be the top team. The Old Hope Road-based team should have most to fear from Bridgeport High, and a resurgent Tivoli Gardens High.

Ardenne High, champions back in 1991, were in a tough group last year with KC and Charlie Smith, and could spring a surprise and challenge for a top two spot.

KC and Spanish Town should have a battle royal for top honours in Group F, and should easily advance to the next round as winners and runner-up. Mona High and Pembroke Hall have withdrawn, while Eltham High have been included. Greater Portmore High, and Penwood High should provide both KC and Spanish Town with very little fuss in their fight for top honours.

Group G is arguably the weakest on paper with Campion College, Holy Trinity High, Innswood High, Meadowbrook High, St Mary’s College, and Trench Town, and this must push for an argument for seeding the teams to balance the groups.

All of these teams are considered ‘Cinderella’ teams, and ISSA must take a look into group seeding to avoid groups like these in which none appears worthy of second round status based on results over the past few years.

All in all, football is football and anything can happen, but come November 23, it will be the perennial top teams battling for honours with St George’s College, though weakened, taking some beating. JC, Excelsior, Wolmer’s, Spanish Town, and KC are expected to provide serious challenge for the title once again.