The 2011 Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Gatorade/Digicel/Manning Cup champions will be decided today when Charlie Smith High take on St George’s College (StGC) in the final at the National Stadium.

The game is scheduled for a 4:00 pm start and will be preceded by the third and fourth place play-off match between Jamaica College and Wolmer’s Boys at 2:00.

St George’s College, 20-time winners of the Manning Cup, warded off all challengers throughout the first and second rounds en route to a 1-0 semi-final defeat of Wolmer’s Boys. They are also into the final of the Walker Cup Knockout competition.

They have scored a total of 48 goals and conceded just three in the Manning Cup competition. StGC’s stifling defensive system has not conceded a goal since the end of the first round of the competition.

The ‘Light Blues’, guided by head coach Neville Bell, can rely on national Under-17 players Andre Lewis, Romario Jones, Oshane Jenkins, Cardel Benbow and towering goalkeeper Nico Campbell.

The North Street-based team has lethal marksman Kendon Anderson, who scored in the 1-0 semi-final victory over Wolmer’s Boys, and forwards Oshane Boothe and Davion Kelly. The team will also welcome the return of right back Ricardo Henry, who was out on a red-card suspension.

Bell has served three stints, spanning 13 seasons, as coach of St George’s College and has overseen championship seasons in 1992, 2008 and 2009.

He told the Observer that his wish is for St George’s to continue their strong displays in attack and in defence and added that he is expecting a stern test from Charlie Smith.

“The Charlie Smith team has good players and have an experienced coach (Jerome Waite) so I expect that we’ll be tested tomorrow (today). We have to continue doing well at both ends of the park. We have shown good overall quality in different areas, but the reality is that we haven’t won anything yet so I keep reminding the players,” Bell said.

‘Charlie’ won titles in 1988, 1990 and 1995 and are one victory away from a fourth championship after a thrilling 3-2 extra-time win over last year’s winners Jamaica College (JC) in the semi-final.

The Arnett Gardens-based unit coasted through the preliminary stage, scoring 42 goals and conceding just seven in 10 matches. The team carried its impressive form into the second round and recorded nine goals for and four against, in becoming the first qualifiers for the semis.

Charlie Smith’s only flaws this season came in a 0-1 loss to Kingston College in the Walker Cup and a 2-2 result against surprise package Ascot High in the first phase of the Manning Cup.

They will rely on left-sided playmaker Javoni Simms, ace marksman Michaelos Martin, inspirational attacker Andrew Allen and ‘keeper Sulane Powell. The creative Vishunal Harris is expected to orchestrate proceedings in midfield.

Allen, substitute Lennox Russell and Simms were the goal scorers against Jamaica College.

Waite, who was also the coach in 1995, is expecting a tough encounter and wants his players to remain focused against St George’s.

“We know George’s is a very good team and that they play good football… (similar to) the Charlie Smith team. I think it can go either way so I’m hoping for the best. This is a dream final and it’s something that a lot of people were looking forward to and it has become a reality. We just need to concentrate better (than we did against JC),” he told reporters last week.

In the curtain-raiser, former winners Wolmer’s are expected to be led by national youth representatives Jason Wright and Kemo Wallace, as well as utility player Dejani Isaacs and goalkeeper Amal Knight.

Dethroned champions JC should rely on Nicholas Scott, Taval Whittaker and Kamario Osbourne. Both Osborne and Whittaker scored in the semi-final defeat to Charlie Smith.

Influential attacker Junior Flemming should return after serving a one-match red-card suspension.