After making it all the way to the semifinals of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup competition last season, confidence is high in the Charlie Smith High camp that they can make another deep run in the competition again, this season.

Most of the players who represented the school last season are back again this season and with just a few months in between the two seasons, memories are still fresh for the players who have the belief that they belong among the competition’s elite.

The west Kingston-based school easily brushed aside Campion College 2-0 in their return fixture in the round of 16 to advance to the quarterfinals 3-1 on aggregate and the man who put them on their way in that game was their captain, Dacquan Green, who celebrated his first ever Manning Cup goal with a powerful header from a corner kick.

Green, who plays centre half, was gracious in acknowledging the role played by his teammate in getting his first goal.

“I feel excellent about my performance, but how I got my first goal, I would have to say thanks to my teammate Daniel Clarke for the assist and it’s a wonderful feeling to score my first goal in the Manning Cup.”

Green remains committed to playing the “Charlie Smith way” as they look to make waves in the competition again this year.

“We just have to stay focused, keep our mindset, play how we know to play football and we will keep moving forward in the competition.”

The team benefitted from huge community support when they played against Campion and Green said that they always enjoy their backing.

“It means a lot to the community because they always want us to make it to the finals, so this year we are going to show them that we can take Charlie Smith to the Manning Cup finals,” he said.

Coach Eugene Williams was just as bullish as his captain, about what his team could achieve this season.

“Well as you can see most of these guys were here last year, so as they say, we got a full preseason with them to try to teach them to play my type of football.”

Williams has made them into a much better passing team, opting against the direct play that Charlie Smith was previously known for.

“We know we are not going to change from the formation, but we like when the ball passing around,” he explained.

The Charlie Smith High past student believes that whatever they achieve this season will come down to mental application as much as what they do on the field of play.

“Our chances are as good as any and we are not just here to participate. We can go as far as we put our minds to. Last year we went to the semifinals, so this year is either make or break,” he said.

The mettle of Charlie Smith will be properly tested Saturday when they begin the quarterfinal round against a Mona High team who have won all their games so far this season.