The Montgomery Advertiser has opened the ballot for its 2026 high school boys soccer Player of the Year award, inviting the community to recognize the talent that has lit up fields across the region this season.
The poll is being run in partnership with The Vance Law Firm, a local practice that has pledged its support to celebrate athletic excellence and promote youth sports.
Voting will begin on Sunday, June 7, and will remain open until noon on Thursday, June 11. The winner will be revealed on Friday, June 12, in a special announcement that will crown the season’s standout performer.
A Season Defined by Impact
Each nominee has distinguished himself through moments that shifted the momentum of his team, delivering results that went beyond raw statistics.
Atticus Clements of Saint James entered the conversation after earning all‑state honors and finishing the campaign with 18 goals and eight assists, a combination that highlighted both scoring prowess and playmaking ability.
Patricio Hernandez from Pike Road emerged as an offensive catalyst, leading his squad with an average of roughly two goals per game and consistently finding the back of the net in critical matchups.
JP Costa, the captain of Montgomery Catholic, contributed one‑third of his team’s total goals, shouldering a heavy offensive load while also guiding younger teammates with his leadership on the pitch.
Grady Ming of Montgomery Academy logged more than 1,000 minutes between the posts and amassed over 190 saves, turning countless potential goals into missed opportunities for opponents.
Carlos Salazar of Brewbaker Tech rounded out the list with a defensive impact, recording more than 40 steals that disrupted opposing attacks and sparked fast‑break chances for his side.
The nomination process drew on each player’s statistical output as well as their broader contributions to team chemistry, sportsmanship and overall influence on the season’s narrative.
Fans can cast their vote online during the designated window, with the final tally determining the player who will be celebrated as the 2026 Montgomery Advertiser Boys Soccer Player of the Year.