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DESPITE LOSING several of last year's players for the upcoming ISSA daCosta Cup football season, Ocho Rios High's head coach Veron Peterkin said he will be looking to have a mixture of youth and experience in his squad for the 2025 competition.

Peterkin, who guided the team to historic heights in 2024, told STAR Sports the squad consists of mostly 15 and 16 year-olds.

"We lost seven players from last season. There are nine remaining from the 16. We have a lot of young players but will mix what we have with the experienced players," said Peterkin.

Continuing, he added, "We are comfortable with what we have at this time and are just keeping the balance right."

Ocho Rios, one of the surprise teams from last year, was the first daCosta Cup team from St Ann to advance to the semi-finals of the competition and the Champions Cup.

Peterkin, who has been the coach for four seasons, said that preseason is progressing well.

"We are focusing on putting our best foot forward and not getting ahead of ourselves, " said Peterkin who believes the team is staying focused. "We are training hard and we are where we want to be at this time."

Ocho Rios stunned the league and made a name for themselves with their historic performances last season. They were, however, whipped 6-1 in the semi-finals by first time finalists, McGrath High.

The coach noted that as the team continues its training programme and looks forward to the new season, he remains confident and has high expectations.

"Every team enters the competition to do well, so we would like to do the same. All I will say for now is that we are okay," said Peterkin.

One player who will not be returning and played a key role last season for Ocho Rios is 15-year-old Dario James who has migrated.

Ocho Rios will be campaigning in Zone K for the first round alongside Brown's Town, Marcus Garvey Technical High, Ferncourt High, Aabuthnott Gallimore High and York Castle High.

The ISSA schoolboy football season will officially begin on Saturday, September 6.