The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BOTH Strachan brothers had successful season debuts for their respective teams on the gridiron at the National Football League and high school levels.

In his first NFL regular season action with the Indianapolis Colts, Mike Strachan finished with two catches for 26 yards in the Colts’ 28-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks yesterday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The rookie receiver made receptions on his only two targets of the afternoon. In his first play from scrimmage, he hauled in a 10-yard pass from quarterback Carson Wentz for a first down. Strachan later caught a 16-yard pass from Wentz in the third quarter.

Strachan, the seventh-round pick out of Charleston was one of seven wide receivers named to the initial 53 man roster along with Parris Campbell, Ashton Dulin, T.Y. Hilton, Dezmon Patmon, Zach Pascal, and Michael Pittman Jr.

The Grand Bahama native totaled 10 receptions for 130 yards in three preseason games. Overall, Strachan had a Pro Football Focus grade of 73.0 this preseason; he was targeted 16 times, had six receiving first downs, no dropped passes, four contested catches, and was part of three explosive pass plays.

“He’s coming along, but he’s got a ways to go,” Colts General Manager Chris Ballard said when asked what Strachan can contribute. “He’s a big, talented guy…that has ball skills that is still learning how to play. We’ll start him out in small doses and see how he handles it. The more he produces, the more he’ll get the ball.”

In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Prince Strachan, the younger sibling, made his long-awaited season debut for his John Carroll Catholic Golden Rams.

After the Rams missed their first two games of the regular season, Strachan led his offense with eight catches for 158 yards in his team’s 27-9 win over Calvary Christian.

Expectations continue to mount for Strachan as he heads into a pivotal senior season of high school football. He was recently named to the ESPN West Palm Top 63 List for the class of 2021 which traditionally highlights the top players in the West Palm Beach and Treasure Coast area in Florida.

He emerged as a star on the gridiron for the Golden Rams as a junior and also picked up several additional NCAA offers this offseason including Lenoir Rhyne, St. Thomas, and Notre Dame College. Strachan has previously received an offer from the Charleston Golden Eagles and has also drawn interest from the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.

The 16-year-old 6’5” wide receiver finished with a team-leading 33 receptions for 633 yards and eight touchdowns last year. His yardage and touchdown totals were second on the team. He also averaged 18.6 yards per catch and 57.5 receiving yards per game.

The Golden Rams advanced to the Class 3A Regional Final of the Florida High School Athletic Association playoffs and finished the season 9-2.