Eagles' Davis named Gatorade POY

Oak Mountain High School boys soccer coach Dan DeMasters still remembers the day he was named his state's Gatorade Player of the Year. It was after the fall 2003 season, when DeMasters was a high school senior in rural Pennsylvania. 

A package containing a letter of notification and a commemorative plaque arrived in the mail. Shock rushed over him as he opened the box. 

In that moment 14 years ago, DeMasters joined what he now refers to as a soccer fraternity, a brotherhood composed of select players from around the country. The plaque still hangs on a wall in his home. 

DeMasters hoped that he would one day get to welcome a player of his own into the club. Today, his hope materialized. 

Kennedy Davis, a 2017 Oak Mountain graduate, was named the Gatorade Alabama Boys Soccer Player of the Year on Monday. He called his coach to inform him of the news after he opened the congratulatory email. The method of notification may have changed, but the ensuing emotion has not. 

"I'm just so proud of him," DeMasters said. "I know all coaches think their kids are deserving, but he was a special kid."

Davis joins Chandler Stroupe (2013) and Chandler Hoffman (2008 and 2009) as the third Oak Mountain player to win the award since 2007. Davis, a midfielder, recorded 22 goals and 12 assists this spring in leading his Eagles to a third consecutive Class 7A state title. He tallied 46 goals and 30 assists over the course of his high school career. 

DeMasters said that two traits, in particular, distinguished Davis on the pitch. The first was his movement off the ball, which manifested itself whenever Davis found an open seam in the defense to exploit. The second was his "uncanny ability" to score clutch goals. This season, Davis netted his team's game-winning tally 10 times as the Eagles totaled a 20-4-4 record. 

DeMasters said that Davis exemplified competitive greatness, a quality which the legendary basketball coach John Wooden placed at the apex of his pyramid of success. Simply stated, Davis performed at his best when his best was needed. 

In addition to acknowledging athletic achievement, the Gatorade award recognizes dedication to academics and community service. Davis excels in both areas. 

According to a Gatorade press release, he finished high school with a 4.05 GPA and volunteered as a youth soccer coach and referee for children with special needs at The Bell Center. Gatorade will donate a $1,000 grant to a national or local youth sports organization of Davis' choice as an added reward. 

This fall, he will continue his soccer career at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. 

"He's going to be successful wherever he ends up in life," DeMasters said.