KINGSTON, Jamaica — Mona High School’s football team is playing with profound purpose as they advance through the postseason, dedicating their campaign to hospitalized coach and program architect Craig Butler. Leading their charge is phenomenal striker Sean Leighton, whose 26 goals make him the Manning Cup’s top scorer.
The emotional motivation was palpable during their recent Walker Cup victory. Leighton netted a crucial brace in a 4-2 triumph over St. George’s College, demonstrating that the team’s resolve extends beyond personal accolades. In post-match comments, Leighton emphasized that their primary focus is to secure another trophy to honor Butler, the founder of Phoenix Academy and head of Mona’s football program, who is currently undergoing surgery.
“Our motivation is clear—we must stay focused and disciplined for our coach in the hospital,” stated Leighton, who also trains at Butler’s Phoenix Academy. “We’re playing to motivate him and support him through his procedure. This means everything to him.”
Butler’s legacy is already historic. In 2023, he guided Mona High to their inaugural Manning Cup title, followed by their first-ever Walker Cup championship in 2024. Now, after a dominant 3-0 round of 16 victory over St. George’s College—a match in which Leighton was prominently featured—the team has advanced to the quarterfinals with strong hopes of repeating their Walker Cup success.
Leighton points to their strong second-half performance as evidence of their championship mentality. While proud of his individual achievement, he insists the collective mission outweighs personal glory. “Scoring 26 goals is good, but it was never the main focus,” he explained. “Now we are here, we just have to lock in and bring this trophy home.”