By Michael Butler
Last year’s Tallassee High School soccer team reached new heights. A 20-win season and a Final Four appearance were unprecedented. They were within an eyelash of a state championship.
The boys team fell 2-1 to Gulf Shores in the Class 5A semifinals. Gulf Shores went on to beat Guntersville 3-2 in double overtime to win the title.
“2024 was a historic season for the Tallassee soccer program,” said head coach Matthew Tarpley. “They were undefeated in area play going a perfect 8-0. The boys went a remarkable 63 days straight without a loss. All three of our teams set school records for their respective programs. Soccer is on the rise for sure.”
Tallassee drops down to 4A this season, but Tarpley expects the road to Huntsville to be no easier.
“Our area is brutal,” Tarpley said. “Preseason rankings came out last week. Four of the top nine spots are held by teams in our area. We were ranked eight. All of a sudden we’re an underdog in our own area.”
Catholic, St. James, Trinity, LAMP and Booker T. Washington join Tallassee in Class 4A/Area 3. St. James and Catholic handed the Tigers early-season losses last year. Tallassee went 20-5-4 overall.
“At worst we need to go 4-2 in those matches to even qualify for the playoffs,” Tarpley added. “We feel good about our chances if we can get to the post-season.”
Two-time all-state selection Irvin Delfin returns for his senior season. Delfin scored a team record 65 goals last season, placing him fourth overall in the AHSAA record book.
“We’re really explosive with Irvin, Francisco Castaneda and Lewis Moseley, three really talented, fast and athletic players,” Tarpley noted. “The boys are loaded. They work really hard. We’ve built a schedule that’s going to challenge us.”
Tarpley will coach all three teams again this season, the junior varsity, varsity girls and varsity boys.
“We’ve got a lot of tripleheaders. The girls doubled their win total from year one to two. This is certainly the most talented and experienced team the girls have fielded. We’re excited about taking that next step.”
Preparation for the 2025 campaign included two weeks on the field at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium. Then, work began on adding artificial turf, leaving the soccer team without a home for practices and matches.
“To be able to get on a field, any field, with the ball at our feet – the kids are happy.,” Tarpley said.
The team has moved its workouts to the Babe Ruth fields in East Tallassee and will soon relocate to the youth softball fields. All matches are expected to be on the road this season.
“Our kids are very resilient. They’re maintaining good attitudes given the obstacles that we’re going to face logistically. I hate it for our seniors that their Senior Night will take place at Wetumpka’s football stadium.”
The season opens with the Capital of Dreams High School Classic at the Emory Folmer Complex in Montgomery. The girls kick off on Thursday against Stanhope Elmore at 3 p.m. and West Point of Cullman at 6 p.m. The boys start on Friday versus Brewbaker Tech at 3 p.m. and West Point at 7:30 p.m.
Tallassee Times 
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