Hydel’s Davis hoping for big season
GOALKEEPER AND vice-captain of the Hydel High School Manning Cup team, Shaquan Davis, came up big for his team as they shared points with defending champions Jamaica College after both played out a hard-fought 1-1 scoreline at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Saturday.
Davis, who came through the ranks from Hydel Prep School to Under-14 and Under-16 football before breaking into the Manning Cup team, credited the Ferry-based school for his development.
“I’ve been doing this since I was seven years old,” Davis said. “I started keeping for Hydel in grade four for the prep school.
“It’s a good system because I grew up in the team. I like that I was always there for my team, and today was no different. I had to rise to the occasion and I did. It’s like home; I feel so alive when I am with the team, but sometimes there are ups and downs and we have to fix them by talking from the back there,” he added.
Davis, who is also adept at playing in the central midfield position, said he is tempted occasionally to play outfield but remained focused on doing the job for the team.
“Yes, I played midfield for Duhaney Park last Major League, where I scored a free kick and assisted four goals for the season. I love playing out. I think about it a lot of times, probably daily, but I love my job, and goalkeeping is my job.” he said.
In last year’s opener against the same opposition and at the same venue, national goalkeeper Jeadine White of St Andrew Technical High School was named Man of the Match after they had a similar scoreline.
Davis was named Man of the Match this time around, after making nine point-blank saves, including two double saves in the first half, to earn his team a point. When asked about where he sees himself in the near future, the 17-yearold said he is hoping he can follow in the footsteps of last season’s finalists to take Hydel deep into the competition.
“I am not looking too far down the line,” Davis shared. “Right now, I am focused on the Manning Cup with Hydel. I just want to play consistently, develop my game, and see where things go from there,” he said.