SINCE Naparima College swept the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) in 1999, they have been, by some distance, the team to beat in the realm of schools football.

Today will be no different when they meet the ’Blue Thunder’ of El Dorado East Secondary at Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella from 5 p.m.

In the 1970s, ’Naps’ had a trio of InterCol titles (1973, 1976, 1977) and it took them 22 more years to add to their trophy cupboard. Since then, they’ve conjured up six more national titles in the last ten years and are on the cusp of making it seven in 11.

The closest team to that record is St Anthony’s College, who had an impressive five national titles (two SSFL Big Five and three InterCol crowns) between 2002-2004.

But the biggest piece of history that could unfold today is that a Naparima win will be their tenth national title, making them the top all-time schools team.

Naparima’s nine titles currently tie the records of San Fernando Tech and Signal Hill Secondary.

The only thing standing in their way is the Trevor Spicer-coached Blue Thunder.

But Naps, says coach Dunstan Williams, have a bigger motivation after failing to defend any of the three titles-South League, ’Big Five’ and South InterCol-they won last year.

A win ’will do justice to the school’, according to Williams.

’The game has a great importance for us as a team,’ Naparima’s coach told the Express on Sunday. ’It gives us the opportunity to walk away with silverware, we (have) had nothing for the season.’

Williams does not see Spicer and El Dorado as an overwhelming threat, but indicated his team will take no chances with the title they so crave.

’...I felt they didn’t deserve to win (their quarter-final against Presentation), but they won. They are a team with tremendous fighting spirit,’ he concluded.

Spicer, meanwhile, is not afraid of the history Naparima have on their side. He wants a second notch on the InterCol list for ’El Do’, after their maiden win in 1986.

This year, Spicer explained, his team have had many challenges. They haven’t had the use of their home ground, which is being renovated, and they had to train at the Eastern Regional Sports Complex in Tacarigua, or the Eddie Hart Ground, or wherever else was available.

Add to that the conflict with next door neighbours El Do West Secondary and there has been a lot to overcome.

’The guys came together and put in a lot of effort in training and a lot of effort in the games,’ Spicer related, adding: ’We went through so much that it was really gratifying, and they really grow together. We really fight to get here.’

That hard work has culminated in a chance to avenge a 2-0 loss at the feet of Naps in the 2007 InterCol finale.

Spicer’s charges will show Naps the deserved respect, but no fear.

’One of the keys to winning is defence, but we could also attack. If (Naps) feel we can’t attack I’m sorry for them. They go get punished. Defensively we’re solid, we don’t (let in) much goals.’

Williams observed that El Dorado tend to play defensively in the second half, as if playing for a penalty shootout win. Spicer explains it as unscripted.

’(The players) do that instinctively, I didn’t really tell them to do that.’ What he wants them to do is control the centre of the park.

’But the main thing is the midfield. Whoever controls the midfield, controls the game.’

Statistically, that statement generally rings true, but as 2009 InterCol has reminded many a football lover, it is not always the case, as El Dorado East Secondary have shown.

One things is for sure-to today’s victors go the InterCol spoils.