Some first-year varsity starters might not know exactly what they’re doing at all times.
That was never the case with Tommy Stackhouse.
Stackhouse is a junior centerback on the Archbishop Ryan High School soccer team, and although he played plenty of minutes as sophomore, this year was his first year as a starter.
But even before he stepped foot on the field as Ryan student, he knew more about the soccer team than just about anyone.
“I started coming to games really young, I was probably under 10,” said Stackhouse, who lives in Fox Chase. “My brothers and sisters all played here, I was always there. I loved watching the older kids play, and learning from them.
“I would be a ballboy a lot, too. I ballboyed the PCL championship when my brother (Jack) was a freshman. I was always at games because my family was always playing and my dad was good friends with (Ryan coach Ryan) Haney, so we would always go.”
Stackhouse certainly had a lot of reasons to go to games.
His sisters Grace and Kate played for the Ragdolls, while Will and Jack were stars for the Raiders.
Not only did the youngest Stackhouse learn from watching his older siblings, he has plenty of people who truly care about making him better.
“They all played soccer, they all know soccer,” Stackhouse said. “Will and Jack constantly text me about things after they go to my game. It’s constructive criticism, they are helping me and trying to make me better. Sometimes it’s hard, they really lay into me because they want me to do well. It’s all love, sibling love. I can take it. It’s hard sometimes, but I know where it’s coming from. It’s easier to hear it from a coach than my siblings, but I know it’s because they care.”
Stackhouse’s siblings and family were there all season, where the Raiders were eliminated from the postseason after a 4-2 loss to La Salle in the first round of the PCL playoffs.
It wasn’t the season Stackhouse and his teammates wanted, but one that Stackhouse will cherish and learn from.
It wasn’t a great season, but it wasn’t a lost season. Much was learned and Stackhouse believes it will only make them better in 2027.
“It was a hard year for us all,” Stackhouse said. “We tried. It’s hard when you lose. We had games where we could have won. We had a lot of ties that we should have won.
“I think above all this year motivated me to work hard. We had a down year, we could have been better than we were. Above all, it motivates me for senior year. I never want to have a season like this. We need to be better for next year.”
But that doesn’t mean Stackhouse isn’t proud of what he and his teammates did this year.
Losing winnable games isn’t fun. The Raiders were never a bad team. They played well against the best teams in the league. This year, it just didn’t go their way.
“I was really proud how we played though,” Stackhouse said. “The leadership was there. As a team, the closest we’ve been in a while. Every one of us, one through 24, we were really close.
“The leadership was really good. And we always stuck together. The captains were great captains, all brought intensity and always tried to make us better and raise the intensity. Really good leaders. They set us up great for next year.”
Next year is when Stackhouse will become one of the leaders on his team.
Fortunately for him, he’s learned from some great captains, including the four on this year’s team. He also has a great resource he can tap into at home.
“I learned a lot about leadership from Jack because I played with him last year and he was such a good leader,” Stackhouse said of his brother. “He brought toughness and grittiness. That’s what I want to bring. I want to be a good leader. I’m pretty lucky that I’ve had so many good leaders to learn from, just in my family, but also playing here. That’s what I want to be.”
The family support doesn’t stop with his brothers and sisters.
“My parents, they are huge part of my story, biggest role model, my support system,” Stackhouse said. “My dad comes to every single one of my games. He always makes me better, tells me how I’m doing, and my mom. She’ll text me before big games, calms me, tells me to relax. I’m so grateful for them. A bunch of them always come to my games.”
Support also comes from outside the family.
“Coach Haney is great,” Stackhouse said. “I love playing for him. He’s demanding, which I love. He’s by far the best coach in the PCL. I think his system is a great one to play for. If you put in the effort, it will show. You will be a better player if you listen and work hard.”
Stackhouse isn’t planning on putting in the work later.
He’s starting now.
Stackhouse will play club soccer for Huntingdon Valley, where he’ll play from now until August when he returns to lead the Raiders for his senior year.
“I’m so grateful I have another chance. I think it was so open this year, even going into the playoffs as a 10 seed, we lost, but I thought going in we could win it. I thought it was so wide open, anyone can win, literally anyone. We’ll do what we can to be back next year.” ••
