Signal Hill Secondary School is on the brink of making history in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division. With four matches remaining, the Tobago-based team is uniquely positioned to challenge for the title, currently sitting fifth with 25 points from 11 games. Their fate is entirely in their hands: if they win their next three matches against St Augustine, Trinity College East, and Malick, they will level with current leaders Naparima College at 34 points. This would set up a high-stakes final showdown between the two teams on November 27, effectively making it a winner-takes-all decider. Signal Hill’s strong goal difference further bolsters their chances in case of a tiebreaker.
This is Signal Hill’s second year in the SSFL, and their journey has been marked by resilience and determination. Several of their matches were postponed earlier in the season due to logistical challenges, including unavailable flights and limited vessel seats between Tobago and Trinidad. However, this delay has now placed them in a favorable position to mount a late title charge.
Head coach Downie Marcelle remains cautious, emphasizing a game-by-game approach. ‘We are taking it one game at a time and not getting carried away,’ he said. Marcelle highlighted the importance of managing player fatigue and maintaining focus, especially with a packed schedule ahead. ‘We have to stay perfect or near perfect to win the league,’ he added.
Signal Hill’s recent form has been impressive, with an unbeaten run in their last seven matches. Marcelle attributes this improvement to their ability to capitalize on early chances, a weakness they addressed after struggling with finishing earlier in the season. The team’s continuity, with only three players lost from last year’s squad, has also played a crucial role in their success.
Meanwhile, other title contenders like St Benedict’s and Presentation College San Fernando remain mathematically in the race but are dependent on Signal Hill and Naparima dropping points. As the SSFL enters its final stretch, all eyes are on Signal Hill, whose performance in the coming weeks could culminate in their first-ever league championship.