Kiandre Pratt, a senior wide receiver/defensive back at Joppatowne, does the little things that impress coach Bill Waibel.
Pratt, 5 feet 6 and 135 pounds, is called on to do a lot of blocking in the Mariners' offense, which runs more than 90 percent of the time. It's a job without a lot of glory.
Pratt has never missed a practice since joining the varsity team as a junior. He also played one year of JV football. Pratt is a member of the National Honor Society and plans to major in mechanical engineering at Maryland or Michigan.
You really seem to take a lot of pride in the fact that you haven't missed practice since joining the varsity team last year.
Yes. .... You practice how you play. If you don't take practice seriously, you probably won't take the game seriously. [That's why] I take it seriously.
Practice can be boring to some people. Do you have fun at practice?
I think it's just fun learning how to play and learning what I need to do and what I need to work on. I take pride in doing that, especially if I can do something [in the game] I couldn't do at the practice.
What do you see your role as with the team this season?
I'm a blocker. We run the power-I, and the wide receivers have to block. I was in the weight room a lot in the offseason, trying to get stronger. I'm much stronger this year. ... I can make blocks this year that I couldn't make last year.
What's your favorite class this year?
[I like] science. Last year I took physics, and that was my favorite. This year I'm taking [Advanced Placement] chemistry, that's my favorite now.
What other sports do you play at Joppatowne?
I also run outdoor track in the spring. This year I'm going to do the long jump and also run the 400 and the 200. I'll also run in the [1,600-meter] relay.
What's your favorite TV show?
I like The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I just think it's funny and it's entertaining. I watch it whenever I catch it, but I always have a lot of homework to do.
What kind of personal goals do you have for this season in football?
I want to do whatever the coaches need me to do and try to get better. I've got ... the same [skills this] year, but I'm trying to show the coaches I can catch.
What's been your favorite play that you did during a game?
I think we ran 45 trap [a running play] in a game last year, and I stalk blocked the cornerback. That's turning him out toward the sideline, and it helped the running back get a big gain.
