SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Ten teams, including five former champions, can book places in the quarter-finals of the ISSA/Flow daCosta Cup football competition after today’s second set of matches in the inter-zone round that will be highlighted by the clash between joint Zone Three leaders St Elizabeth Technical against Lennon High in Santa Cruz.

The top two teams from each of the eight groups will earn a spot in the quarter-finals, while the winners will qualify for the Flow Cup, which starts next weekend.

After battling their way out of a surprisingly competitive Zone E in the first round, STETHS could only manage a 1-0 win over first time qualifiers Alston High on Wednesday and will face Lennon High, who got by DeCarteret College 2-0 and lead on goal difference going into the game today.

With much at stake, it is expected that both teams will come out guns blazing and the Merron Gordon-coached Lennon could have the upper hand after twice holding defending champions Clarendon College to 1-1 draws in the first round.

Michael Kerr has been consistent for STETHS and will be the main threat to the Lennon defence that gave up just five goals all season long.

At Jarrett Park, longtime rivals Rusea’s High and Cornwall College, the two most successful schools in the competition with 21 titles between them, will renew acquaintances in the third game of a triple-header with much at stake for both schools.

Cornwall College lead Zone Two with three points after a close win over Herbert Morrison on Wednesday, while Rusea’s came from behind to earn a draw with Petersfield and must win to keep their season alive.

Rusea’s will have history on their side, however, as they have not lost to Cornwall at this stage in four meetings over the last eight years.

Rusea’s won their last two meetings 2-0 in the 2011 and 2012 seasons, while they drew in 2008 and 2009.

After a lacklustre performance in front of the goal against Herbert Morrison when they created a number of chances, Cornwall College are expected to rebound today against what is expected to be a much tougher opponent.

St James High will start favourites to beat Mannings School at Jarrett Park as they seek to return to the quarter-finals for the second year in a row.

Mannings School are on a roll, however, after a slow start and held Frome Technical on Wednesday to keep their hopes alive of advancing to the final 16 teams.

Glenmuir High had the biggest margin of victory on Wednesday, scoring five against Bog Walk and will start favourites against Kemps Hill today.

Vere Technical and Ewarton High could both qualify with wins over Denbigh High and Paul Bogle, respectively, and set up a winner takes-all-game for a spot in the Flow Cup on Tuesday.

Paul Bogle High, however, could be a handful for Ewarton as they seek to keep their season alive.

Lacovia High, one of two best third-placed teams, could book a spot in the next round when they take on Annotto Bay in Santa Cruz. Marcus Garvey Technical could advance as well when they take on Fair Prospect High at Drax Hall.

Brown’s Town and Port Antonio High, winners on Wednesday, will take on Dinthill Technical and Islington High, respectively, in Zone Six, knowing wins will see them through.

Dinthill Technical start the season as one of the favourites to make it to the semi-finals at least, but have sputtered late in the season and are winless in their last four games and nothing but a win today would be sufficient.