Richard Bryan, Star Writer

There is probably little known about Happy News, a small rural community un-noticed in Bethany, along the rather winding and hilly terrain leading to the much better known semi-urban town of Alexandria in St Ann. However, that should change as one of its promising sons, 19-year-old Jason Johnson, prepares to lace his boots as a squad member of the Reggae Boyz team to face Argentina next week.

The 'happy news' far extends beyond the slopes and boundaries of that small town even to a higher altitude to Manchester where Johnson is better known for his exploits as a striker for Manchester High school in last season's daCosta Cup.

The unassuming, but strongly built six-foot tall sixth former, temporarily shelved his tacit shell to express his delight at being given the nod for national selection, after a largely successful schoolboy season and what must have been a pretty impressive showing after one week of training.

"It's like a dream come true," Johnson told Star Sports. He was one of four schoolboys chosen for the final week of training for the Canada match.

Johnson's response to his repeat call-up shows he understands the importance of the occasion.

opportunity

"Even if I (eventually) just get to sit on the bench, it's still a great opportunity for me," said the player, who saw his stocks rise considerably after transferring from Knox, a school virtually upaccomplished when it comes to football.

Most of his exploits came last year, championing Manchester High to historic heights in both the semi-finals and finals of the daCosta Cup competition. Johnson scored 25 goals while narrowly finishing second to golden boot winner Deshaun Brown of champions St Elizabeth Technical. He later recovered and joined the combined schoolboy squad which won a three-team age-group weekend tournament in Miami. His good showing there, as well as reports from the coaching staff accompanying that team, most likely shored up the good impression privately acknowledged by Whitmore when he watched Johnson play in successive games in the daCosta Cup at Jarrett Park.

Johnson was not initially selected among the first set of invitees for the first week of the national training camp in January, but he believes his goal during a squad game in his first week, as well as his off-the-ball movements all week, capped his selection.

The player's coach, Barry Watson, the man who facilitated Johnson's transfer to Manchester High after watching him play the previous year in a Manchester Under-17 competition for little known Hillview, believes Johnson will continue to make the grade.

"He has good speed with a strong kick with both feet, so I know that once he took part in a structured programme, he would do well."

Watson believes these attributes as well as his attitude will push his progress.

"He's humble, and you are not going to get any trouble from him - plus he does his school work. He will go far."