Sophomore Jon Pavlatos has played football since he was 5 years old for one reason – to be like his father.

His father Matt Pavlatos wore the number 51 in high school as a defensive player, which led Jon to wear 15.

“He inspired me to play, so I just try to follow in his footsteps,” said Jon Pavlatos, who will make his first varsity start at quarterback against Montgomery tonight.

As Pavlatos grew older, his father realized he was more of an offensive player, leading his son to play quarterback. Matt expects his son to be able to take hits and run the ball well.

“He expects me to do it all,” Jon Pavlatos said. “That’s the standard I’m held to.”

Pavlatos got his first start on an Atascocita flag football team.

“ He has loved football since he was able to walk and pick one up,” Judy Pavlatos said. “ His big helmet, his little body and this giant helmet. He looked like a little bobblehead running around and it was just the funniest thing, but it was so much fun to watch them out there playing at that age.”

Judy Pavlatos says throughout Jon’s life he has been physically stronger and a great leader. More recently, she has seen him grow mentally.

“ He is a different kind of discipline when he’s out in that field,” Judy Pavlatos said. “His confidence is on a different level when he puts that helmet and put those pads on.”

Last year, Jon Pavlatos was the starting quarterback for the JV “A” Black football team. He recorded 36 total touchdowns and led the team to a successful 9-1 record. However, Pavlatos understands that on varsity kids are bigger and faster and it won’t be as easy.

“Small things matter,” Pavlatos said. “When you have a chance to go big, if you don’t hit on it, you won’t get that chance again like on JV.”

Senior wide receiver Bryce Gerbasiach has been working with Pavlatos since the spring time during 7-on-7 and has seen great improvement from the sophomore.

Gerbasich said Pavlatos has a great voice within the team and will be a strong leader for the offense.

“He takes charge in the huddle,” Gerbasich said. “He tells us what to do, and he is very respectful in the way he does it.”

Last year, varsity was led by senior Aaron Gilliam, who transferred to Kingwood Park from Porter and led the district with 1,178 passing yards. The Panthers finished 4-6 overall and missed the playoffs with a fifth-place district finish.

Senior tight end and team captain Luke Elliott said he is excited about what’s ahead with the new starting quarterback.

Elliott understands that Pavlatos is younger than most of the varsity starters, but Elliott has set high expectations for him.

“He’s definitely young,” Elliott said. “He’s a sophomore working with seniors, but he knows he has to be a leader on and off the field.”

Elliott and the team are working to prepare Pavlatos for varsity games. On JV last year, Pavlatos was known for wanting to run the ball and take most of the plays. Elliott has noticed a change from this old mentality.

“He has to be a quarterback who gives everyone the ball so we can win,” Elliott said.

Another thing Elliott wants to work with Pavlatos is making sure he stays positive during games no matter the circumstance.

“If he makes a bad play you have to go up to him to make sure he keeps his head up,” Elliott said. “No excuses.”

Offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Scott Elliott said Pavlatos has picked up the playbook quickly and that it fits Pavlatos’s playstyle and athleticism. 

Even with a few changes from the spring, Pavlatos manages to keep up with the playbook and is learning the offense more and more as time goes on.

“He has a photographic memory,” Elliott said. “He may make a mistake on a Monday, but by Tuesday he already has fixed it.”

Coach Elliott is focused on helping develop Pavlatos’s game throughout the season so the team can be successful.

“I’m expecting him to lead us to a district championship,” Elliott said. “I want him to get better every practice, so as we are getting ready for playoffs, he’s not just a sophomore quarterback.”

Jon Pavlatos wants the game thing. He has one goal set for the team. 

“I’ve already set my mind to it,” Pavlatos said. “We are going to the playoffs this year.”