Williams targets more Denbigh firsts

At just 16 years old, Markland Williams is already making his mark in two sporting disciplines at Denbigh High School in Clarendon.

After creating history for the institution in track and field earlier this year, Williams is now hoping to achieve another milestone by helping Denbigh’s football team reach even greater heights in the ISSA daCosta Cup competition.

Williams became the first athlete from Denbigh to win a medal at the ISSA Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships in March when he captured gold in the Class Two Boys’ 800 metres.

He continued his impressive run on the international stage a few weeks later at the Carifta Games in St George’s, Grenada, where he won silver in the Under-17 Boys’ 800m and gold in the Under-17 Boys’ 4x400m relay.

For the talented youngster, those achievements were special moments for both him and his school.

“It was a great feeling knowing that I created history for Denbigh in track and field, and I am looking forward to creating more history by helping my team to do something special in football,” Williams said.

He has now set his sights on helping Denbigh achieve unprecedented success in schoolboy football after the team emerged as one of the surprise packages of this season’s competition.

Coached by Garfield Carney, Denbigh have punched above their weight throughout the campaign, earning a reputation as giant killers after producing several impressive results against more fancied opponents.

Their run has included victories over former daCosta Cup champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and Munro College as well as a memorable march to the semi-finals of the Ben Francis Cup knockout competition.

Denbigh’s hopes of reaching the final were ended by defending champions Clarendon College, who advanced following a penalty shoot-out after a goalless contest.

However, that disappointment has not derailed their ambitions. Denbigh have continued to impress in the daCosta Cup and secured top spot in Group Three by defeating former leaders Kemps Hill in their latest encounter to finish level on points with their opponents but ahead on goal difference.

Williams has played an important role in the team’s success, scoring 11 goals across the two competitions while also providing several assists.

The youngster is determined to maintain his impressive form as Denbigh prepare for the challenges ahead in the round of 16.

“I just want my fans to continue to support us as more history is in the making,” he said.

Williams’ journey to Denbigh began at Green Park Primary School in Sandy Bay, Clarendon, where his football talent caught the attention of Carney, who subsequently recruited him to the institution.

“Coach Carney recruited me after seeing me at Green Park Primary School. I have a passion for football. My mother wanted me to do track and field only, but I told her that I love football, and she allowed me to do both,” Williams explained.

Despite his growing influence on the football field, Williams admitted that track and field remains his preferred sport.

For now, however, his focus is on helping Denbigh continue their remarkable football journey and transform their giant-killing exploits into a historic daCosta Cup triumph.