The Pratl family has been a fixture for the Richards football program since the 1970s, but senior linebacker Ricky Pratl knows that this fall is the end of the line for now.
It’s also a long list. Ron Pratl graduated in 1976, followed by his brother Dan in 1978 and twins Rick and Rob in 1985. Ricky’s dad, Rick, joined the coaching staff in 1990.
Rick, who coaches the linebackers, has been on the sidelines ever since. One of the players he’s mentoring is his son, Ricky. This is the last season for both of them at Richards.
“It’s going to be weird,” said Ricky, who started out watching the Bulldogs from the stands as far back as he can remember. “It will be strange.”
Time is indeed ticking for the Pratl duo as Richards (1-2, 0-1) travels a short distance Friday to play crosstown rival Oak Lawn (1-2, 0-1) in a South Suburban Red game.
At the conclusion of this season, Rick will retire from coaching after more than three decades. Ricky hopes to play in college, and if that happens, Rick wants to watch his son.
To return the favor, so to speak.
Because of his size, the 5-foot-8, 185-pound Ricky realizes Alabama isn’t going to be knocking on his door. But he’s looking for a small college to continue his career.
“I didn’t get the height genes,” Ricky said. “But my dream is to play college, wherever I can play. I don’t care where I play — I just want to keep playing the game.”
Rick, 55, said this is the right time to retire. He had nothing but positive things to relate about his experience as a player and coach under Gary Korhonen and Tony Sheehan.
“I love being around the kids,” Rick said. “Those kids saved my life and made me live life right when I could have been living life wrong.
“Coach Korhonen saved my life and kept me from being a complete moron, you know what I mean? When you have to answer to somebody, you think twice about doing stupid things.”
Interestingly, Rick coached Sheehan, who has been Richards’ head coach since taking over for Korhonen in 2008. And growing up, Rick was coached by Sheehan’s father, Pat.
“Rick coached me and has been here a long time,” Sheehan said. “When I took over, he stayed on, and it’s been a great thing.
“He’s intense and he loves Richards. He loves this program. He loves this place. I know it wasn’t easy for him to say it’s time to go. It’s bittersweet going out with your son at the same time.”
Ricky said there’s a little bit of pressure being coached by his father, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“He’s a really good motivator,” Ricky said of his dad. “He knows when you are giving it your full effort and gets on you if you don’t.
“He knows what he’s talking about. He knows what the offensive linemen are thinking because he played offensive line as well.”
Rick said that Ricky is easy to coach, does his job and may be small but is “tough and strong.”
While Rick hopes his son can land a spot in college, he said he’s not pushing football on him. Ricky, meanwhile, looks back on his family’s legacy with pride.
“It’s been cool growing up around Richards and having my family going there,” Ricky said. “I like having that reputation of being a part of Richards football.
“There’s nothing better than Richards football.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
