Gwen Lizarraga High School is set to launch their title defense at the 2025–26 National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) Boys Football Championship this Friday. The tournament, taking place at the Marion Jones Sports Complex in Belize City and hosted by Wesley College, will see the defending champions eager to secure consecutive national titles.
Coming off a successful season, Gwen Lizarraga arrives with confidence after clinching their third consecutive Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) championship. The team features key players such as Tyrone Linares Jr, who earned accolades as the CSSSA Most Valuable Player and Best Defender, as well as Tyler Gentle, recognized for scoring the most goals. Shane Vernon, awarded Best Goalkeeper, showcased his skills with a remarkable performance in the penalty shootout during the regional final.
This evening, Gwen Lizarraga will face Orange Walk Technical High School at 8:00 PM in the last match of the opening day. OWTHS enters the tournament as Northern champions, bringing a high-energy, pressing style that has posed challenges for opponents throughout the season.
Meanwhile, the other semifinal match will see Julian Cho Technical High School compete against Sacred Heart College at 4:00 PM. This matchup pits the Southern champions against the disciplined structure of the Western champions.
The victors of these semifinals will secure a spot in the National Final on Saturday at 2:00 PM, while the teams that do not advance will clash in the third-place match scheduled for 10:00 AM. With four regional champions in the mix and Gwen Lizarraga under pressure to defend their title, the competition promises to be intense from the very start.
