Will Blocker with the header Photos by Kyle Thornton

Soccer team keeps playoff hopes alive

By Michael Butler

Tallassee's varsity boys soccer team is close to reaching rare ground - getting a playoff berth.

"(It's) not a long history to draw upon,," coach Matthew Tarpley said.

The Tallassee soccer program has only been around 15 years. Its first season was in 2008.

The Tigers have two prior post-season appearances. In 2013, the Tigers lost at home in the opening round to American Christian 5-4 in the Class 1A-4A ranks. In 2018, they fell on the road in the Class 4A/5A first round to LAMP 7-0.

The 2023 Tigers (12-2) have lost just twice but both to area opponents, Brewbaker Tech and Beauregard. After victories over Elmore County (7-2) and Beauregard (4-0) last week, Tallassee is now two wins away from winning the area and hosting a first-round playoff game.

"We've got two crucial area games left at home," Tarpley added.

Brew Tech will be first on Tuesday, April 11 at J. E. "Hot" O'Brien Stadium. The Rams beat the Tigers 1-0 in Montgomery on March 14. The final area game comes vs. Elmore County on April 18. Tallassee scored six first-half goals en route to the 7-2 win in the first meeting at Eclectic on March 30.

"The parity in our area is very strong this year," said Tarpley. "If something doesn't go our way, we get into that whole tiebreaker situation. It gets really murky. Our best bet is to win. Coach (Keiven) Mixson and I are trying to keep our kids focused."

The Tallassee varsity girls lost a heartbreaker to Beauregard 1-0 on Thursday

Class 5A/Area 3 Standings
Elmore County 4-1
Brewbaker Tech 5-2
Tallassee 4-2
Beauregard 2-4
Valley 0-6

*Photos by Kyle Thornton

Schedule/Results