Stann Creek U-15 Boys – FFB 2025 Elite Male U-15 National Football Champions
by William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)
BELMOPAN, Sat. July 19, 2025
The Stann Creek U-15 boys outgunned the Orange Walk U-15 to win the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) high performance Elite U-15 national championship at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan on Saturday afternoon, July 19.
In Game 1, the consolation match for 3rd place, the Belize U-15 boys marched over the Belmopan U-15, 7-1, led by Schae Gordon’s hat trick (28’, 33’ & 44’). Khalil Velasquez delivered a brace (7’ & 35+2’), and other goals were by Amir Ahmad (24’) and Kent Noralez (52’). Only Ethan Vargas (24’) scored a consolation goal for Belmopan.
In Game 2, the championship final, the Stann Creek boys won, 4-2, in penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation and 20 minutes overtime. The Sugar City boys held the Culture Capital scoreless up to intermission, but Ellis Carillo (46’) and Jayan Avila (53’) gave the boys from the valley a 2-0 lead, until Ezekiel Maldonado (67’ & 70’) equalized for Sugar City.
In penalties, Ellis Carillo and Krishawn McDonald scored Stann Creek’s 1st and 2nd tries, but Sugar City’s goalkeeper stopped Avaughnt Baltazar’s first try. However, the linesman had his flag up indicating that the goalkeeper was off his line, and Baltazar scored on his 2nd try.
Alexander Lucas – Most Valuable Player
MVP goalkeeper Alexander Lucas stopped Sugar City’s first try, and only Zamir Baptist and Emmanuel Moh scored for Orange Walk, as O.Walk’s 4th try hit the crossbar. Jayan Avila scored Stann Creek’s 4th try to seal the championship victory.
The Stann Creek boys had advanced to the finals by a 5-3 win over the Belize U-15 boys in the semifinals on Wednesday morning, July 16. Jayan Avila’s hat trick (3’ PK, 49’ & 64’ PK) led the charge, with other goals by Avaughnt Baltazar (45’) and Devon Daniels (70’). Khalil Velasquez (11’ PK, 40’ & 44’) scored a hat trick for Belize City.
The Orange Walk boys had qualified to the finals by a 3-1 win over Belmopan in the semifinals, led by Iker Martinez’s brace (21’ & 63’) after Elon Castello (4’) had opened the scoreboard. Only Randolph Galves (58’) scored for the Garden City.
At the award ceremony after the finals, FFB executive members Jacqueline Pelayo and Shane Orio presented team trophies and individual medals to the champions, 2nd and 3rd place winners. FFB general secretary Ian Jones presented the Golden Ball award for the Most Valuable Player to Stann Creek goalkeeper Alexander Lucas, and Pelayo presented the Most Goals award to Jayan Avila, also of Stann Creek.
