There were 135, and now there are three second-cycle institutions -- Prempeh College, Adisadel College, and St. Thomas Aquinas -- remaining in the quest to be crowned winner of the National Science and Maths Quiz, 2017 edition.

The final, to be held at the iconic National Theatre on June 29, climaxes weeks of excitement and sheer academic brilliance. The names of contestants like John-Edwin Gadasu and Sena Kwaku Yevenyo have been on the lips of many as these geniuses captivated with their sharp memories and knowledge of the sciences that at times bordered on the paranormal. That none of those made it to the final, though, gives an indication of just how fiercely the competition has been contested and how good all the finalists -- the schools and the individuals -- have proven.

The final features three schools that qualify to be described as NSMQ royalty. Between them, they've won three of the competition's last four editions and five titles overall. And in one way or the other, each is a favourite, such is the tightness of the contest.

First, Prempeh. The Amanfuor have raised not a few eyebrows during their journey to this point, winning all three matches en route with some ease. Victory in an all-Ashanti tie in the 1/8th stage was impressive, but, truth be told, St. Louis and Toase SHS didn't pose much of a threat.

It was in the quarter-final that Prempeh were expected to be tested, but what transpired could hardly be described as a challenge. Prempeh thrashed the opposition (2012 champions Ghana Secondary Technical School and less fancied Aduman SHS), equalling their own 80-point record in the three-school format of the NSMQ with some change to spare, and won with a 49-point gap between themselves and their nearest contenders.

The semis were always going to be that bit harder to negotiate, but even at that tricky stage, Prempeh beat ‘father’ Mfantsipim and Mawuli Secondary School to the sole ticket to the final, qualifying with the most points of the three successful semi-finalists.

On Thursday, they'd fancy their chances against Adisadel -- whom they defeated in the final two years ago -- and Aquinas. Fetching that fourth title wouldn't be easy, but Prempeh, who won the maiden edition of the NSMQ and reached three of the first four finals, should be inspired by their recent resurgence that has followed a prolonged lull which ended with sweet conquest back in 2015.

As already mentioned, Adisadel were one of two schools Prempeh put to the sword on said occasion -- University Practice the other -- but the Santaclausians came back stronger and hungrier the next year and stormed to glory for the very first time, swatting opponents aside ruthlessly.

This year, Adisadel, doubtlessly on a roll, are again in the final, and would seek to squeeze the most of the momentum they've created for themselves.

They made it into their third final in as many years (only the second school after St. Peter's SHS, Nkwatia, to achieve such a feat) narrowly after fending off fellow Central regional schools, but not without a huge push across the line by one of their two opponents, Ghana National College, that simultaneously sent University Practice (themselves seeking to appear in a second final in three years) on an early ride back to Cape Coast.

Unarguably the most consistent school at the NSMQ during the last few years after not making much of an impact in the more distant past, ‘Adisco’ are keen to make up for lost time and would be eager to spell those intentions out in black and white (pun absolutely intended) from the very start of the decider, in a bid to become just the second school after the Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School, Legon (Presec), to successfully defend the title.

It's a script Prempeh would hope to rubbish, yes -- and so would the third finalist, Aquinas. ‘Quinas may not have the fanfare with which Prempeh steamrolled into the final or the rhythm of Adisadel, but they are many people's favourites for the ultimate -- and for good reason.

The Accra-based school have exuded remarkable composure and a quiet confidence that few thought could carry them this far until they got the better of five-time champions Presec in the semi-finals, qualifying with a comfortable 13-point advantage. Still very much the underdogs, Aquinas may yet have one more surprise to spring in proving their 2013 success wasn't a fluke, and many an Old Tom would bet their last pesewa on such a probability.

Clearly, the gleaming trophy, and the accompanying prizes, could be any school's to win. Very little is assured, aside the fact that one of the six individual finalists -- between Sarfo-Ansah Wonder and Daniel Osei Badu (Prempeh); Sylvanus Afful Assan-Annobil and Edward De-Graft Vanderpuije Quansah (Adisadel); Bright Asiedu and Christopher Anamalia (Aquinas) -- would be granted a full scholarship for their entire duration of a six-year tertiary programme. With so much at stake, then, this really is going to be an explosive battle of brains, wits and, of course, trolls.

Don't blink.