The always entertaining 2025 Appleby Under 18 high school football leagues kicked-off this week with Cayman International School (CIS) intent on defending their 2024 boys’ and girls’ titles.

Due to the increased number of schools participating in the boy’s league in 2024, organisers altered the league structure. In previous years, a single league system was played whereby the school with the most points at the end of the season was crowned champions. For the 2024 season, a Champions Cup and Consolation Cup system was introduced where schools were divided into two groups with the top two schools in each group advancing to the Champions Cup and the remaining schools competing in the Consolation Cup.

The 2025 season will remain with the Champions and Consolation Cups system in place for the boys and be introduced for the first time the girl’s league.

In 2024, the young men from CIS retained their 2023 title following an enthralling 7-6 sudden death penalty shoot-out victory over Clifton Hunter High School (CHHS) (1-1 full time; 5-5 penalties and 1-0 sudden death penalties). John Gray High School (JGHS) finished in third place.

In the 2024 Boys’ Consolation Cup, newcomers CIFEC defeated St. Ignatius Catholic High School 3-0 to secure their first high school title in their debut season.

On the girl’s side, two-time defending champions CIS Blue sealed their third Appleby Under 18 title in a row, going undefeated in the process. Victories over St. Ignatius Catholic (6-1), Cayman Prep & High School (4-0), JGHS (6-0), CHHS (6-0) and CIS White (6-0) were more than enough to seal the title.

The young ladies from St. Ignatius Catholic finished runners-up in the league and Cayman Prep & High School finished in third place.

Schools competing in the 2025 Appleby Under 18 high school leagues include Cayman Academy (boys), Cayman International School (CIS Blue and White (boys) and CIS (girls), Cayman Prep & High School (boys and girls), CHHS (boys and girls), JGHS (boys and girls), St. Ignatius Catholic (boys and girls), CIFEC (boys) and newcomers Hope Academy (boys).

Complete schedules, scores and standings can be viewed on the Cayman Youth Football Leagues (CYFL) website at www.caymanyouthfootball.ky.

CIS boys (royal blue) are set to defend their 2024 Appleby Under 18 high school football title.

CIS girls (royal blue) are set to defend their 2024 Appleby Under 18 high school football title.