Ashton Prats flies for yardage while playing for Oak Harbor last season. (John Fisken photo)
Prats goes up for a bucket during a basketball game. (Submitted photo)
It starts and ends with his mother.
Whether he’s on the football field or basketball court, in the classroom or tackling everyday life, Ashton Prats always has his heart set on making the woman who brought him into the world proud.
“My mom has fought through the hardest of times to make sure I had a roof over my head, dinner on the table,” Prats said. “She has made sure that I know things don’t get easy until they’re done being hard.
“I respect her so much as a person and as my mother,” he added. “Without her I wouldn’t have the self drive I do today to keep bettering myself on and off the field every day.”
Prats recently transferred from Oak Harbor and will be a junior at Coupeville High School when the new school year begins.
“I decided to switch about halfway through summer because I thought it would be more beneficial academically,” he said.
Having started playing football in the fifth grade, Prats is a veteran on the gridiron, and one who already has some connection with the Wolves.
And by connection, we mean he ran over them during a JV game last season, when he bolted for three touchdowns on the ground and almost got a fourth one on a 74-yard interception return.
Now, he’ll be wearing red, black and white instead of purple and gold, and hopes to help Coupeville in whatever way he can.
“I think my strengths are helping other players, tackling, and power running,” Prats said. “My goals for the season are to better myself as a player and to help the team make it to a championship.
“I also want to observe my teammates and see how they play, so I can play more efficiently with them.”
Prats, who also played basketball for Oak Harbor, enjoys “spending time with my girlfriend, playing pick-up basketball and hanging out with my friends.”
He hails “The Blind Side” as a top movie pick, and red is his favorite color — which fits nicely with his new school.
As he works with his new teammates, Prats remembers how it all began, and what drives him.
“I started playing because I’ve always loved watching football, so I wanted to play,” he said. “I enjoy going through hard times and good times with the team, through winning and losing streaks, and watching all our hard work pay off on Friday nights.”
Coupeville Sports 