Crockett County's Luke Pratt learning quarterback position well for Cavaliers

Kevin Odom
USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
Crockett County's Luke Pratt (2) passes off the ball to Crockett County's Colby Pruitt at a TSSAA football game between Crockett County High School and University School of Jackson (USJ) at University School of Jackson in Jackson, Tenn., on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018.

 Stepping into the starting role as quarterback is never easy your first season.

But when you are the son of legendary Crockett County football coach P.A. Pratt, playing football just comes natural.

Junior Luke Pratt has stepped into the quarterback position and become a leader on an inexperienced but talented Cavalier team.

“Luke was a born leader," Crockett County coach Kevin Ward said. "He grew up roaming the sidelines with his dad (PA Pratt) who was the coach here for 17 years and was a great example for him. He was raised the right way, so he understands how to be a positive leader when things go wrong on the field.”

Pratt spent his first two seasons at Crockett County learning from Jacob Fitzhugh and preparing for himself for his opportunity to come.

During the offseason, Pratt had to put in extra time at practice and watch film to be prepared for his role as offensive leader.

“After losing a lot of seniors last season, we were left with a lot of inexperienced players that were going to have to step up and play, so we have had to work real hard to get ready for this season,” said Pratt. “In the offseason, I worked with the receivers and backs to help prepare for this season.”

Crockett County's Luke Pratt (2) looks for players to pass to in a TSSAA high school football game between Peabody High School and Crockett County High School at Peabody High School in Trenton, Tenn., Friday, July 27, 2018.

Coach Ward said that Pratt has played well through the first two games of the season and is progressing nicely, as well as the rest of the team.

“Luke is getting better each and every day, but he has made a few decisions that he would like to have back,” Ward said. “But if he and the team continue to work hard, we will have a pretty good team by the end of the season.”

Pratt tries not to get caught up in the pressure that can come from growing up under a legend.

“It can be a lot to be the son of PA Pratt, you have to live up to it a little bit,” Luke said. “I just want play like him, and I have always wanted to live up to his name.”

Luke has led Crockett County to a 2-0 start in his first two career starts, including a 21-13 win over University School of Jackson on Friday, where he threw for 242 yards.

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