Willetts Named Vermont Boys Athlete of the Week

Essex senior Jackson Willetts earned the honor after a standout week of goalkeeping that carried his team to the championship game.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Soccer

Willetts Named Vermont Boys Athlete of the Week

Jackson Willetts of Essex soccer was named the boys All-USA Vermont Athlete of the Week, powered by Delta Dental, after receiving 83.2% of the 1,854 votes cast. The honor followed a week in which Essex defeated No. 1 Burr and Burton 1-0 in double overtime and then beat CVU 2-1 in double overtime in the championship game.

Why it matters

The award recognizes a high-profile performance in a state tournament run and gives Vermont high school soccer fans a clear look at one of the season's top goalkeepers. Voting by the public determined the winner, reflecting broad community engagement with the state's prep sports coverage.

Willetts made 17 saves in the 1-0 double-overtime semifinal win over Burr and Burton and 11 saves in the 2-1 double-overtime championship win over CVU. The 1,854-vote total and 83.2% share reflect the public's strong preference in the boys contest.

The players

Jackson Willetts

A senior goalkeeper for Essex soccer who stopped 17 shots in the semifinal and 11 in the championship game.

Burlington Free Press

The Burlington-based newspaper that hosts the online voting for the All-USA Vermont Athlete of the Week program.

The details

Willetts was nominated for his performance in Essex's semifinal victory over Burr and Burton and was then selected through online voting at burlingtonfreepress.com. Voting opened Monday, Nov. 2, and closed at 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, before the winner was announced.

Oct. 26 to Nov. 1: Willetts's award-winning week in the fall season.
Monday, Nov. 2: Online voting opened at burlingtonfreepress.com.
Thursday, Nov. 5, 9 p.m.: Online voting closed.
Nov. 6, 2026: Winner announced.

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Season Trajectory

Recognition through the All-USA Vermont program places Willetts among the state's most visible fall goalkeepers during a season that ended with Essex in the title game. The weekly format highlights individual performances within a competitive state tournament landscape.

The honor gives Willetts statewide visibility heading into the offseason, and readers following Vermont prep soccer can track how Essex's goalkeeping recognition compares to other top performers. Fans can also review the vote totals to see which performances drew the most public support this season.

The takeaway

Individual honors like this one reward performances that decide close playoff games, and they offer a useful snapshot of which players stood out in a given week. Tracking these weekly picks can help readers follow the season's standout talent across the state.