With the soccer season coming into full swing once again, players are back on the field, ready to take names and win games. One of these players is Jake Perkins (’23), who is completing his last season at the R. 

Being a skilled player and fan of the sport, Perkins has been playing soccer for over 10 years total, four of which were spent on the RHS soccer team. 

“There is such a large amount of skill and variety in the game, and it’s always something new to discover,” Perkins said. “The most important thing for me is the passion. There is so much passion in the game and you can feel it when you play.”

Perkins’ zealous play has led him to a solid start this season, being named “Defensive Player of the Game” on the Nov. 18 win against Alonso High School and earned him high praise from his teammates. 

“He’s great [at] winning back the ball and maintaining possession,” Midfielder Jake Abel (’24) said. 

However, this achievement has not come easily, as Perkins keeps a very intense practice schedule. 

“For me I play on a club and the school soccer team, so we practice almost every day year-round,” Perkins said. 

After graduation, while Perkins does plan on pursuing soccer at the college level as either a walk-on or on an inter-mural team, he wants to focus on developing some of his other interests as well. 

“I really want to focus on a major in biochemical engineering and also developing my photography skills,” Perkins said.

Being a player on the soccer team is one thing, but Perkins is a true friend. Known by teammates as a fun guy to have around, he creates camaraderie and boosts morale, Perkins is an integral part of the team spirit. 

“Jake is a fun guy to have on the team,” Abel said. “He brings a lot of joy and laughter as well as positivity to the team which will be missed [when he graduates].”

As a senior, Perkins has a responsibility to not only be a part of the team, but to be a leader and a guide to the underclassmen. Fulfilling his role as such a leader, Perkins leaves some advice for his younger teammates. 

“Don’t give up. I was on the practice squad freshman year and I kept working at it until I became a full-fledged starter on varsity,” Perkins said. “Do not give up because eventually, your hard work will pay off.”