Archie Williams boys varsity soccer has proven to be a highly competitive team, as evidenced by their regular-season victory in the Marin County Athletic League and their wins in the North Coast Section and NorCal Division III Championships in the 2024-2025 season. This year, freshman Jackson Ketcham tried out in hopes of making the team and succeeded, becoming the first freshman to make the Archie Williams boys varsity soccer team in 13 years.
Ever since he was young, Jackson has put in immense effort to reach a higher level in soccer. This sport stands as more than just a hobby; it is deeply ingrained in Jackson’s daily routine and personal identity.
“I first started playing when I was four years old, and that passion has only strengthened over the years. I have so many early memories of playing soccer, and I’m so grateful for the things it has taught me,” Jackson said.
Jackson believes that making varsity as a freshman motivated him to work even harder and prove that he deserved his spot. He acknowledged that playing at the varsity level would be challenging, but that he was eager to begin learning.
“When I first got the news that I made varsity, I was so excited. It felt as if all my hard work had finally paid off, and I was getting closer to achieving my goals. I couldn’t wait to start practicing and playing on the team,” Jackson said.
Making the team is an accomplishment given the program’s expectations, as the team is known for its high level of competitive success. Playing on varsity not only requires skill but also maturity and a strong work ethic.
“It is rare for someone Jackson’s age to be on varsity in this program, because we have a lot of high expectations, not just on the soccer field, but more importantly, off of it, we like to have kids that are mature, that have integrity and all that stuff that buy into the culture,” Head Coach Rene Ayala said.
Ayala believes that Jackson earned his varsity role for reasons beyond his athletic talent; maturity and integrity were just as important. Players must be old enough to have the required level of responsibility to allow the coaching staff to trust them and to get along with upperclassmen.
“Being on a team with them is like I’m the younger brother; everyone is super nice and helps me,” Jackson said.
The team’s supportive dynamic is something other players have noticed as well. Sophomore centerback Babu Virgo highlights how encouraging the team environment is for players.
“The effort guys put in here makes you want to show up for them just as much,” Babu said.
Such encouragement pushes each player to excel and to continue building their skills. This kind of environment has helped integrate younger players like Jackson into the team by allowing them to advance their skills while receiving reinforcement.
Jackson’s awareness and confidence, influenced by his brother’s participation, helped to integrate him into this new environment.
“[Jackson] knows who he is, and he is very much aware of our culture. His older brother played soccer for us as well, but Jackson stood out because of his maturity,” Ayala said.
The team’s age diversity brings new perspectives and allows older players to mentor younger ones. The range of experiences can benefit everyone and allow them to grow.
“Our team is like a brotherhood, and having a wide diversity of age and just life experiences is going to be great for everybody, and for the upperclassmen just to have that perspective. I think that Jackson brings that kind of depth of perspective for us. Having a freshman join a team that hasn’t seen one or more in over a decade is unique,” Ayala said.
Jackson’s work demonstrates that commitment and perseverance can lead to early achievement and a solid foundation, highlighting how consistent effort over time can result in success.
“Soccer is a big part of my life, it has a deep meaning in my heart, and at this point it’s a part of me,” Jackson said. “My daily routine always involves some form of soccer; I don’t go a day without playing it.”
