Xavier Pratt scored the touchdown that finally jump-started Homewood-Flossmoor’s offense after a slow start. Then he ran back to the line to execute the long snap on the ensuing extra point.
Pratt, a junior receiver/tight end, has also embraced the long snapper role, one that comes with little fanfare and only negative attention if you mess up one snap.
“I started doing it last year,” Pratt said. “It really just makes me versatile. I feel like that’s big to maybe show recruiters. I can score a touchdown and then get back calm, cool and collected and snap the ball.”
Pratt’s steady presence in all of his roles is huge for the Vikings. On Friday night, his 19-yard touchdown catch from Rahsaan Coleman helped host H-F pull away for a 35-0 win over Richards.
Coleman completed 11 of 18 passes for 173 yards and two TDs, including a 60-yard scoring strike to Ashton Jones. Sophomore running back Theodore Williams finished with 71 yards and two TDs on 20 carries.
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and Zen Cambric each had an interception — Williams returning his 50 yards for a TD — to lead a dominant defense for the Vikings (2-0), who held Richards to 166 yards.Javier Stewart provided a sack and a tackle for loss, while Isaiah Flowers had an interception in the nonconference setback for the Bulldogs (0-2).
Richards hung tough early, trailing just 7-0 at halftime before Coleman and Pratt connected for the 19-yard TD on third-and-9 on the opening possession of the second half.
“The coaches had a great talk with us at halftime and really pumped us up,” Pratt said. “I had to make a play. I knew the guy over me couldn’t guard me. I know Rahsaan was going to deliver and I made the play.”
Coleman was confident that Pratt would get the job done.
“Xavier is a machine,” Coleman said. “I’ve got to say it’s his discipline and his work ethic.
“We built that chemistry up last year and I just trust him now. I trust his body, his size. I know if I put the ball around his space, his catch radius, he’s going to get it.”
As for his other job, Pratt knows it’s sometimes a thankless one. But he’s happy to take on the long-snapping duties and isn’t afraid of making a mistake.
“I figured I could do it and I just ran with it,” Pratt said. “For me, pressure builds diamonds. I’ve always been taught to just handle the pressure and do what I’ve got to do for my team.”
Pratt brings the toughness of a wrestler onto the football field. He’s competed on the mat since he was 5 years old,
“Wrestling is everything,” Pratt said. “I’ve been doing that since before I started tackle football. It’s just the mentality that it gives you. In wrestling, everything is way harder.”
Pratt’s TD catch sparked a 28-point surge in the second half for H-F. Meanwhile, the defense pitched a shutout for the second straight week after a season-opening 31-0 win over Bolingbrook.
It’s certainly been so far, so good for coach Troy McAllister.
“On defense, I think it starts up front for us with our D-line,” McAllister said. “They’ve been dominant. That allows our back-end guys to just run around and make plays.”
On offense and special teams, McAllister knows he can rely on Pratt, whose connection to H-F football runs deep.
Pratt’s father, Alexander, is an assistant coach for the Vikings. His brother, also named Alexander, starred at quarterback for the Vikings.
“Xavier is a coach’s son,” McAllister said. “He’s been around this program since he was basically born and he’s got such a high football IQ. Then you add in that he’s 6-3, 210 (pounds) and he’s a competitor.
“He’s kind of the engine that makes our offense work.”