Marblehead's Callum Rigby’s calm nature makes him perfect point man for St. John’s Prep

Having grown up with two older sisters, Marblehead’s Callum Rigby is pretty sensitive to issues of equity, openness and healthy, respectful masculinity. For example, when the St. John’s Prep junior is trying to do homework while his sister is blasting music in the adjacent bathroom’s shower, he politely sends her a text.

“My sisters have definitely been a good influence on me,” says Rigby, 16. “They’ve made a positive impact on me as a person.”

That’s not to say Rigby, the Eagles starting attacking midfielder this season on the soccer team, doesn’t retain certain traits of a typical teenage boy.

For example, the doorway to his bedroom usually opens onto a pile of clothes on the floor, an ever-changing sculpture of fabric that he characterizes as “dirty with the potential for reuse.”

He’s a big fan of pizza, though his go-to order is iconoclastic: pineapple and pepperoni. And, like millions of soccer fans around the world, young and old, he’s a fan of Manchester United FC. But in Rigby’s case, that’s not because ManU is the most decorated team in English football history. It’s because his father, Morgan, grew up there.

“He was definitely my first contact with the sport,” says the 6-foot-1, 150-pound playmaker. “We used to go out in the backyard all the time when I was little and kick the ball around. I remember how focused I was on getting the ball in the air, and I remember he really helped me develop that skill.”

Suffice it to say, Rigby’s skill set has evolved considerably since those early days. Though he’s never going to blaze past or out-quick opponents in the offensive third, his game is about excellent touch, particularly on in-swinger crosses and through balls, good stop-and-start escapability and deft possession talents.

“Callum is the focal point of our attack,” says Dave Crowell, now in his 21st season as the St. John’s Prep head soccer coach and the architect of five consecutive Catholic Conference championship teams.

“He has a unique skill set that includes an excellent first touch, strong dribbling skills and the ability to change directions on a dime. This allows him to move the ball quickly about the field. He also shoots with pace from distance, and does so with either foot. For me, his greatest strengths are his unselfish play and his coachability. He looks to move the ball to the right spot through his dribbling, rather than prioritizing setting up his own shot.”

It’s worth noting Rigby has got game in the classroom too. An AP Economics student as a junior, he’s also a member of the school’s Arab Culture Club, as well as the Spanish language National Honor Society.

A first-year starter this fall, Rigby has definitive thoughts about his area of greatest improvement on the pitch since his freshman year, and that’s in the mental part of the game. “I’ve learned more about the game to become a smarter player,” he says. “I have better anticipation.”

That tactical confidence has to be a big help given that he’s being counted on to make a sudden impact for a program that graduated a bevy of talent after playing .700 ball a year ago, while entering the season with question marks about its consistent goal production. So far, it’s been good enough. The Eagles, who traveled to face Malden Catholic on Sept. 23 and Lowell on Sept. 25, found the back of the net six times in the team’s 3-1 start to the season. Rigby recorded two assists through four games.

Familiarity breeds contentment

While Rigby does acknowledge the added pressure of being relied upon for more than just contributions off the bench, he’s doing his best to keep his mind on controlling what he can control.

The teen is battling to make his first step as explosive as possible, participating in twice-a-week, fast-twitch muscle fiber workouts with the Prep’s Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Billy McSheffrey. He’s also drawing strength from his on-field familiarity with classmates Will Minor, a defender from Georgetown, and Alex Borkland, a forward from Swampscott. Rigby, a Marblehead Youth Soccer product, has played with the latter as a part of the Danvers-based Aztec Soccer Club since sixth grade. He’s played with Minor in the Prep program since seventh grade.

“I think I’ve adapted well to the added pressure of a starting role, but at the same time I try to keep my head away from that and focus on just playing my game,” he says. “This year, our chemistry is off the charts, and those relationships (with Minor and Borkland) are a part of that. I think we definitely have a good shot at another conference title. We just need to keep up our work rate.”

In the unlikely event Rigby loses his own way in this regard, he can always seek guidance from one of those helpful sisters of his.

The Rigby Files

Nickname: “Rig Sauce” (his Marblehead mates’ moniker)

Birthplace: Boston (grew up Marblehead)

Uniform number: 7

Position: Attacking midfield

Favorite school subject: History

Favorite athlete: Man City midfielder and 2015 Football player of the Year Kevin De Bruyne

Favorite sport other than soccer: Golf

Boot: Mizuno

Favorite pregame meal: Chicken & pasta

Best self-cooked meal: Eggs

Favorite animal: The family golden retriever Sophia

Favorite practice drill: Possession