Paul Clarke,Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Twenty-eight games are scheduled today in the 2012-13 ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel daCosta Cup rural area schoolboy football competition across 12 zones, with top contenders Petersfield High and Glenmuir, along with Paul Bogle, set to start their campaign with matches against Grange Hill, Little London and Seaforth High, respectively.

Focus will be on the Zone D Westmoreland derby between Peters-field and rivals Grange Hill in what is shaping up to be a tantalising matchup at Belle Isle Community Centre in Grange Hill, starting at 3:30 p.m.

Both teams enter the season with something to prove, and early talk of an inter-zone tug of war between the schools indicates much more than just three points are at stake.

Grange Hill have seen two different schools from their parish win the title in the last decade, Frome the first in 2003 and Godfrey Stewart High in 2005, and according to their coach, Dave Warren, this could be their year.

Tough challenge

Last year, Grange Hill defeated Petersfield 2-0 in their first game of season and lost the return match 1-0.

"Peterfield is always a tough team to play against. They are one of those teams that always do well, but we are prepared and will give a good account of ourselves against them," said Warren.

Grange Hill topped their zone last year with 24 points, one more than Petersfield, and much of the same is expected this year, although Petersfield are tipped to win the zone this time around.

For the Petersfield coach, Machel Woolery, the focus is on three points.

"This match will be tough for us, but I am sure the players are ready to play and will give their best to win the game. We want the full points," said Woolery.

Zone D also features former champions Godfrey Stewart, Manning's and Little London High, who will also be on show today at Manning's High.

Two-time winners Glenmuir will kick off against Porus in Zone M. Opening their account also will be Garvey Maceo, who will meet Denbigh, while Foga Road and Bustamante are set for a keen matchup.

Today's games

Zone B

Frome vs Cambridge

Green Island vs Merlene Ottey

Zone D

Grange Hill vs Petersfield

Manning's vs Little London

Zone E

Balaclava vs Munro

Zone F

Manchester vs B.B. Coke

Bellefield vs Mile Gully

Zone H

Claude McKay vs Lennon

Edwin Allen vs Thompson Town

Zone I

Albert Town vs York Castle

Cedric Titus vs Ocho Rios

Marcus Garvey vs Brown's Town

Zone J

St Mary High vs Islington

Iona vs Oracabessa

Brimmervale vs St Mary Technical

Zone K

Tacky vs Charlemont

Dinthill vs McGrath

Bog Walk vs Ewarton

Zone L

Buff Bay vs Port Antonio

Fair Prospect vs Happy Grove

Zone M

Garvey Maceo vs Denbigh

Foga Road vs Bustamante

Glenmuir vs Porus

Old Harbour vs Kemps Hill

Vere vs Central

Zone O

Paul Bogle vs Seaforth

St Thomas Technical vs Robert Lightbourne

Yallahs vs Morant Bay