Pelham standout earns Gatorade Alabama Boys Soccer Player of the Year honors
Sophomore helped lead Panthers to Class 6A quarterfinals and carries a 3.66 GPA in the classroom.
Olivia Bennett 
Pelham High School has etched its name into state soccer history. Sophomore standout Orlando Avalos has officially been named the 2025-26 Gatorade Alabama Boys Soccer Player of the Year, marking the first time a student-athlete from Pelham has claimed this prestigious honor.
Elite Recognition
This award marks the 41st year of Gatorade’s mission to celebrate the nation’s top high school athletes. The accolade recognizes a trifecta of excellence: superior athletic performance, academic achievement, and meaningful community impact. Standing 5-foot-9 and weighing 152 pounds, Avalos is now part of an elite group of 610 high school athletes honored annually across the country.
A Season of Impact
Avalos was a key engine for the Panthers, who posted an impressive 23-3-1 record this year. He tallied 19 goals and 14 assists during a campaign that carried the team to the Class 6A state playoff quarterfinals, where they narrowly fell 2-1 to the eventual state champion, Briarwood Christian.
A versatile threat on the pitch, the midfielder has now secured Super All-State honors for two consecutive years. His journey included playing center back during his freshman year as he returned from a broken leg that sidelined him during eighth grade. His accolades further include 2025 first-team All-State honors and a spot on the Birmingham All-Metro first team.
Academic and Community Leadership
Beyond his physical skill, Avalos maintains a 3.66 weighted GPA. A member of the Spanish National Honor Society, he dedicates his time to coaching and refereeing for local youth soccer programs. Spain Park head coach Matt Hall praised the sophomore’s versatility and vision, noting, "Orlando is a top all-around player and played many different positions for their team this season. He is very good at keeping possession on the ball and creating numerous scoring chances through his incisive passing. He is a top-notch player."
Gatorade’s Commitment to Impact
As part of the Gatorade Player of the Year initiative, Avalos will receive a grant to support a social impact organization of his choosing, continuing the program's legacy of distributing over $6.4 million in grants to date.
