Seniors Jack Corvi and Jack Middleton have been the engine for the unstoppable boys’ varsity soccer team, leading them to an 8-0 record in the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) and an overall record of 13-2. Working together all season long, Corvi and Middleton have shown that leadership, friendship and lots of skill can create a team built for the spotlight.

Jack Corvi

Jack Corvi, a standout senior at Redwood High School, effortlessly manages the demanding roles of two varsity sports, soccer and football, with his favorite being soccer. As the boys’ varsity soccer team captain, Corvi’s impact extends both on and off the field, contributing significantly to the team’s success. The Giants are ranked 24th in the state, and Corvi’s role as starting center-back is marked by consistency, leadership and extreme athleticism. After an emotional loss led to an abrupt end to his junior season, Corvi is even more inspired to lead the team on a deep playoff run, starting as the No. 1 seed in MCALs.

Corvi has taken the saying “availability is the best ability” to heart, appearing in all but two games this season for the Giants despite persistent ankle and back injuries. His masterful tackling and composure, along with fellow center-back senior Ensio Sardans’ ability to take balls out of the air, have stifled opponents’ attacks; The Giants have only conceded one goal throughout the entirety of the MCAL season.

Junior teammate Masa Fujita, in his second season with the varsity team, points to Corvi’s skills on the ball as a crucial part of his game.

“[Corvi] is very composed on the ball. The way he can be calm in extreme situations lets the team relax when we have possession. Whenever he attacks, no one ever knows what trick he will do to get around a player,” Fujita said. 

Corvi’s enjoyment of soccer goes beyond the competitive aspects, particularly in the camaraderie of practices.

“I love being part of the team. We are all really close, making it a better experience,” Corvi said. “My favorite part [of soccer] is the practices. We’re serious [at times], but we also mess around, which makes it fun.” 

While Corvi likes to have enjoyment, he also keeps it professional. His teammates say he is very passionate about leading the team to victory in an encouraging way, which makes him a solid role model that his teammates can look up to. 

“He’s a great role model for the whole team. His leadership skills are really strong,” Fujita said. “He does a great job of keeping things light and fun but also serious at the same time.”

Corvi humbly attributes part of his success to the mentorship of Matthew Jessen, a neighbor and former soccer teammate. 

“We were on the same soccer team two years ago. I learned how to be a leader through watching how he handles situations on and off the field,” Corvi said.

Corvi’s leadership, athleticism and strong work ethic, both on and off the field, play a pivotal role in the boys’ soccer team’s triumphant season. As they enter MCALs as the top seed, with aspirations of making a deep run in the North Coast Section playoffs, Corvi is poised to be a key factor in the team’s continued success.

Jack Middleton

The boys’ varsity soccer team has another outstanding captain, senior Jack Middleton. Since the age of six, Middleton has always dreamt of playing soccer at Redwood High School.

His freshman year coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, Middleton was still able to get a peek into Redwood’s soccer culture.

“[COVID-19] is why I didn’t end up playing [freshman year], but just at tryouts, I got a glimpse of what the [soccer] culture at Redwood is like and I wanted to be a part of it,” Middleton said.

During Middleton’s sophomore season, the team made it to the state quarterfinals against Whitney High School. They unfortunately lost but were able to play against them again this year.

“My favorite memory this year is our win against Whitney in Sacramento a few weeks ago. We lost to them my sophomore year in the state quarterfinals in a game that was really competitive and mentally challenging; I was really proud of how our team fought back to get the first goal and secure a win,” Middleton said. 

While being an athlete, Middleton also balances a heavy workload throughout school. 

“It’s mostly a lot of discipline and time management skills,” Middleton said. “It takes a lot of practice and a lot of grinding even when you don’t want to do it.”

This year, Middleton dedicated himself to his leadership skills, especially as a captain. Stepping up, he started on his journey to being captain to be a better teammate and leader. He was able to learn through previous teammates like Owen Swenson and Benny Tabak, which has given him all that he needs to be a successful captain. 

Middleton’s performance in soccer, coupled with his strong leadership and friendship skills, is truly making an impact. His hard work and ability to control the game have propelled Redwood’s varsity soccer team into the playoffs. Middleton ranks 13th for assists in the North Coast Section with 11 and has collected four goals this season despite playing as a defensive midfielder. Junior soccer player and friend of Middleton, Wells Borden, speaks highly of Middleton and looks up to him on and off the field.

“[Middleton] is definitely one of the guys I look up to on the team. He has done an incredible job [as] captain this year. He can encourage but also be a supportive friend. [Middleton] is also an outstanding soccer player and I definitely strive to play more like him,” Borden said. 

A main influence in Middleton’s soccer journey is his parents. Without them, he would not be the player he is today. Middleton appreciates the countless hours his parents sacrificed for him, driving to and from practices and games and supporting him regarding soccer. 

Middleton’s impact on boys’ varsity soccer goes beyond his skill on the field. Overcoming challenges, he led the team to success in the state quarterfinals last year and continues to inspire victories this year. As a dedicated captain, Middleton fosters camaraderie and balances his role with a demanding academic workload. Middleton’s soccer journey reflects passion, resilience and the indispensable role of family in achieving athletic excellence.