Sixteen

years ago all three boys' offensive scoring records at

McIntosh High School were set by a player named Chris

Hunt.

Today, Hunt

is a Lightning soccer coach, and has coached Matt

Clements for the past three years. Maybe he shouldn't

have taught Clements everything he knew, because this

year Clements broke all three of Hunt's scoring records.

Hunt held

the record for goals scored in a match with six goals;

Clements broke that this season when he scored seven

goals in the match against Carver. Clements is quick to

admit the whole team played a part in his breaking that

record. In the same game, Clements managed to tie the

existing record of six assists within a match, and with

36 career assists under his belt, he is chasing that

record, too.

Clements

scored 36 goals this season, breaking the old season

record of 25 and making him the state's leading scorer.

Hunt's 16-year record for career goals was 51. Clements

flew past that record this season with 65 varsity goals

in his career so far. A junior this year, he will most

certainly add to that career total next year, placing

that record even further out of reach for anyone coming

behind him.

McIntosh

out-scored its opponents this year 96-18. Clements had

105 attempts on goal, yielding 36 goals and 15 assists

this year. That gave him a one out of three average and

involved him in over half of his team's goals.

Deadly with

either foot, Clements is well known for his ability to

handle the ball and thread it through multiple defenders.

Parents from his team have been known to say he is

"poetry in motion." His teammates have

affectionately nicknamed him "Mighty Mouse,"

but don't let his size fool you. His ability is well

respected by club and high school teams, not only in

Georgia, but in neighboring states as well.

Clements

also has played soccer with the 82 Olympic Development

pool. In 1997, the team played in Australia and traveled

to play in England in 1998. He also manages to keep

terrific grades and stay involved with other school

activities. He is a member of Beta Club and was a winner

of the Presidential Academic Award from 1995-1997.

He is very

proud of his soccer career and is especially happy for

his coach, Bunky Colvin. "This is Coach Colvin's

first year as our varsity coach," he said. "He

has a lot of heart and is a great motivator. He is very

proud of our team.

"We've

given him a new school record with 19 wins this year, a

Region Championship, all new school scoring records and,

best of all, a state title," added Clements.

"What a great year for us all."

distinguished high school career, Coach's Player of the

Year Award in 1998, Offensive Player of the Year Award in

1999 and 2000, AJC All South Team in 1999, Georgia

All-Region team in 2000, leading his team to a AAAA State

Championship title in 2000, four years experience on his

state's 82 Olympic Development Team, seven years as a

starter on his club's Classic I team, numerous region

tournaments, and five appearances in his state's Open Cup

Final definitely add up to make Matt Clements a top

prospect for colleges next year.

He will

also most certainly be a strong candidate for All State

and All American this year. He will be fun to watch next

season and for many years to come.