School News

Senior Colby Maffei and Parents pose for a picture during the Alvarez Award dinner

Keeping awards a secret from the recipients isn't always easy for parents and coaches. But it's one that was done pretty well as Tampa Prep's Colby Maffei and Jesuit's Brett Durrance were led to an accounting office in Apollo Beach on Thursday evening.

Maffei and Durrance, the 2012 Alvarez Award winners, given to Hillsborough County's top boys and girls high school soccer players, didn't know where they were heading as they arrived at a dinner hosted by accountant Jose Alvarez, his wife Janet and his children. Durrance didn't even know the award existed.

"My mom, my sister and my dad kind of pulled a fast one on me," Durrance said. "It's an award, and I'm proud and honored to have it."

Maffei, a Louisiana State commitment who thought she was attending an LSU alumni dinner, graduates as the most prolific scorer in Tampa Prep history. The forward had 168 goals and 38 assists in her four seasons as a Terrapin. Maffei led her team to four straight region finals and three state final four appearances. Maffei was named to the Tampa Tribune's All-Hillsborough County first team all four years.