THURSDAY KICKOFF: Khatri traveled the River Region before landing with Pike Road
Miles Khatri has suited up for three teams in his high school travels, including Catholic (pictured) and Prattville before settling with Pike Road. (File Photo)
By TIM GAYLE
Miles Khatri has played at Prattville, Catholic and Pike Road, but despite two transfers over the past four years, the senior linebacker feels comfortable in his new role with the Patriots.
“I feel like everywhere I’ve been, I’ve been in a good situation and I’m in a good situation now to be the best player I can with a great team and a bunch of good guys and good coaches,” he said. “I’m excited to see what we can do this year.”
His role is a little different with the 6A Patriots this year, playing more nickel, a hybrid position that plays like an outside linebacker at times and like a safety at times.
“It’s like a linebacker, but I’m in a bunch of space most of the time instead of being in the box, a lot of pass coverage and blitzing,” he explained.
Despite his comfort level with the Patriots, he’ll likely feel a little different this week as he goes up against his former teammates at Prattville High tonight in the annual AHSAA Kickoff Classic at Cramton Bowl.
“He is the whole package -- academically, athletically, on the field, off the field,” Pike Road coach Granger Shook said. “He’s going to be a very successful young man one day no matter what he does but as a competitor, he has fit right in because this senior class is ultra competitive.”
His new teammates welcomed him with open arms, bolstering an already talented defense with another proven playmaker.
“He’s a hard worker,” senior linebacker Rufus Boone said. “He’s great. He’s physical. There’s a lot I could say about him. He’s a great player.”
Khatri made an immediate impact at Catholic, helping the Knights win the state championship the past two seasons. Last year, he ranked first on a stellar defense with 117 tackles and was second with 14 tackles for loss. The 6-foot, 210-pounder also had nine passes defensed, an interception and a sack, generating interest among college recruiters. He committed to Rich Rodriguez at West Virginia this past summer.
“They want me to play a similar position that I’ll play this year, so I feel like it was a good fit for me,” Khatri said. “It’s something that I’m confident I can do at a high level.”
He added that he chose the Mountaineers because “they treated me like family when I came up there (on an official visit). The coaching staff was amazing. The hospitality they showed me and my family was amazing. I just feel like I fit well in the program and the defense they run.”
After two trips to the semifinals of the state playoffs in 2023 and 2024, Pike Road’s football team hopes to take the next step and reach the 6A championship game this fall. Playing a good Prattville squad in the season opener could be a good gauge in that journey.
“Obviously, the goal is to win state and it’s a goal I feel we can accomplish with the right preparation and enough hard work,” Khatri said. “As far as personal goals, I feel like every game, just get better, make the plays I should be able to make and constantly improve.”