NEWLY minted Reggae Boy Jamone Lyle, while enjoying the spotlight, says he plans to remain focused as he seeks to take his game to another level.

Lyle scored a stoppage time winner as last season’s finalists Jamaica College (JC) beat St Catherine High 3-2 at the Ashenheim Stadium in their opening game of the ISSA Manning Cup second round on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old landed in Kingston on Tuesday afternoon after returning from Jamaica’s senior men’s team trip to Honduras for their final Concacaf Nations League A.

A day later, he was on JC’s bench looking on as St Catherine High led 2-0 at the break thanks to a double strike from Terray Harvey.

Lyle was introduced immediately at the start of the second half, and that brought life to Old Hope Road as JC mounted a comeback.

Just before the hour mark, Delajahe McCormack and Joshua King scored in quick succession to bring the game level.

Lyle, who was instrumental throughout the second half, sent the JC supporters into raptures as his stunning strike at the edge of the box flew into the back of the net in the second minute of stoppage time to give them the win.

Lyle, who was bombarded by dozens of JC students after the game, was thrilled to make an immediate impact.

“It felt good, getting the winning goal.

It was a really good moment I think, coming back and getting the winning goal for the team,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“It’s a great feeling coming back and trying to get the lads to play a little faster, bringing down the experience of the high level football here and try and share it with the rest of the lads.” Head Coach Jason Henry, though aware of Lyle’s abilities, was left in awe of his impact.

“We have arguably one of the best players in the league, once he comes on the field, we know the levels will go up,” Henry said.

“To be honest, when we sent out the matchday squad and the team saw his name on it, the vibe was different.

His presence is big in the changing room, even bigger than just playing.

They respect him, and when the game finishes, we literally have to move him out as if it’s security because everybody is coming rushing him.” Less than a week ago, Lyle became one of Jamaica’s youngest- ever players after making his debut in their 2-0 win over El Salvador.

Although he only made a 10- minute cameo, it’s an experience he’ll never forget.

“It was a wonderful feeling,” Lyle said.

“It’s a dream of a lot of people out there and I got that chance, and I’m really grateful I just went out there and made the most of the opportunity.” His stock has risen significantly in 2026 after being a key member of the national Under-17 team that qualified for next month’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar, a starter in the National U-20 team and a standout performer for Waterhouse FC in the Jamaica Premier League.

After getting a taste of success, Lyle says he wants to achieve more.

“I just have to stay focused, stay humble, and just continue to work hard,” he said.

Many may question Lyle’s involvement in schoolboy football given his recent journey at the senior level.

Henry, though, says there needs to be a collective effort to ensure his journey to the top continues.

“We just have to continuously protect him and also know that he’s a national treasure,” he said.

He’s also playing club football, so everybody has to work together to make sure this one doesn’t drop through the cracks.”