Former champions Jamaica College, St George’s College and perennial semi-finalist St Andrew Technical High School are set to be placed in Group 4 of the InterSecondary Schools Sports Association, ISSA, Digicel Manning Cup second round.

With the top places in the zones basically decided, Group 4 can be considered the group of death as it comprises the winner of Zone G, St George’s College, winner of Zone F, JC and Zone D runner-up St Andrew Technical High School and one of the two best third-placed teams which could be one of Jonathan Grant, Haile Selassie or St Jago.

With the top two teams from the four groups will advance to the quarterfinals, one of the top teams in the Manning Cup will be left behind from Group 4.

Group 1 will have defending champion Mona High, St Catherine High, Campion College and one of Jonathan Grant, Haile Sellasie or St Jago.

This can be considered a favourably pairing for Mona High and should have most to fear from St Catherine High and to a lesser extent, Campion College.

Group 3 will see many times champion Kingston College paired with archrivals Calabar High, last season’s runner-up Hydel High and Tivoli Gardens in what is expected to be a mouthwatering group in which any team can advance to the quarterfinals.

Tivoli Gardens might be found wanting in this group, but they cannot be taken lightly. However, the top two teams will come from KC, Calabar and Hydel. KC has been in immaculate form banging in the goals, while has been steady and sure. Hydel have lost once to Eltham but will make their presence felt and could force their way into the quarterfinals at the expense of either KC or Calabar.

Group 2 will see the two schools with perfect records come face-to-face in Wolmer’s Boys and Eltham High. They will be joined by the dangerous Excelsior High and Chalie Smith.

On Wednesday, KC travelled to Jose Marti and won 1-0 while Meadowbrook trounced Cumberland High 5-0 as Campion College put paid to Penwood High’s chance of making the second round winning 3-1 in Zone C action.

KC lead the zone with 22 points from their eight games ahead of Campion College on 19 points. Jose Marti sit third on 13 points with two set of games remaining.

In Zone D, Calabar whipped Kingston Technical 10-1 with a four-timer from the impressive Jaheim Rankine and are on top with 19 points, the same as STATHS but with a far superior goal difference and barring any mishaps in their last two games, should top the group.

STATHS rebounded from the loss to Calabar beating Camperdown High 2-0 and Haile Selassie kept their chances alive edging Vauxhall High 3-2.

In the feature match on Wednesday, JC whipped Excelsior High 3-1 and took charge of the group on 19 points from seven games. Excelsior are second on 13 points but has a game in hand.

Nashordo Gibbs gave JC a 39th minute lead before Kimarly Scott pulled Excelsior levelled in minute 50. But Javaun Mills restored JC’s advantage in the 58th minute at home before Amarlie King put the icing on the cake in stoppage time.

Bridgeport High dismissed Pembroke Hall High 5-0 and consolidated third spot with nine points and kept their slim chances of pipping Excelsior High for that second spot.