Valdosta Soccer Player Delroy Mattis Voted ITG Next Georgia Athlete of the Month
Valdosta soccer player Delroy Mattis has been voted as the ITG Next Georgia Player of the Month for April. Mattis was nominated as a candidate for his outstanding performance on the pitch for the Valdosta Wildcat soccer squad during the month of April, as well as his season-long performance.
Mattis was one of four student athletes selected as candidates for our Athlete of the Month Award. The other candidates were Benedictine High left handed pitcher Carter Holton, who threw two no hitters during the month of March. Another soccer player, Commerce High forward Chloe Diaz, also made the short list of nominees for the Athlete of the Month. Her incredible performance of 10 goals with 5 assists in 2 games earned her consideration for the award. Finally, Erin King, a senior midfielder for the Kell High School lacrosse team, was our final remaining candidate for the Athlete of the Month. Leading up to the nomination, Erin had tallied 9 goals in her previous 3 games, giving her a total of 52 goals for the season at that point.
Our readers voted on these great candidates, and at the end, it was Delroy Mattis who was selected. He received 64.65 % of the votes.
Heading down the final stretch of the regular season, Delroy found the back of the net ten times and added six assists during a 10-game winning streak for Valdosta High. The win streak was the highlight of a bigger accomplishment for the Wildcats in 2021, as they won the region championship, finishing with a perfect region mark (6-0). Valdosta, armed with a perfect region mark, and a number one seed, are now going strong in the state playoffs with post season victories over a couple of Mustang teams. The Wildcats fist tamed the Morrow High Mustangs by a 2-1 margin, and most recently, it was the South Effingham Mustangs who fell to Delroy and his Valdosta teammates by a slim 1-0 score. Now, Valdosta turns its attention to Johns Creek High School, one of the toughest teams in the state. The Gladiators are currently ranked #2 in the state, sporting a 14-2-1 overall record. Valdosta isn’t taking a backseat to anyone, however; With Delroy leading the way, Valdosta has now ran its winning streak to 13 games, and the matchup with Johns Creek will be the Valdosta soccer program’s first ever Elite eight appearance.
Delroy is the son of Nicole and Delroy Mattis. He was born on August 12th, 2004 Landstuhl Military Hospital at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. Delroy says growing up overseas, especially on an Air Force Base, helped him learn the game of soccer. He played in military youth sports leagues before eventually, Delroy and his family would move to the United States. It was during his 6th grade year that Delroy began playing organized soccer, with United Futbol Academy out of Tifton, Ga. He would stay on the path of soccer through middle school right up to where he is today, starring for the Wildcats on the pitch.
For the season, Delroy has 17 goals and 6 assists. His head coach, Roberto Carillo, says his star player helps the team off and on the pitch. “Delroy has played a huge role in our success as a leader on and off the field,” said the coach. “He is one of our four captains and helps push our players during games and practices,” said Carillo.
Once again, congratulations to Delroy Mattis, the ITG Next Georgia Athlete of the Month.
Written by: Phil Jones
