Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Luke Chappell

The Riverview High football team is hoping this fall is a better season after finishing 2024 with a 4-6 record, and rising seniors like Luke Chappell will be counted on to make that difference.

Chappell, an offensive lineman, helped the Rams out to a strong start in a 42-21 win over Largo on May 22. He finished with a 91% win rate on blocking assignments and didn’t allow any sacks or pressures against the Packers, according to Rams Head Coach Mark Cristiani. 

When and why did you start playing football? 

I started playing football in eighth grade. I always grew up as a bigger kid, but I played baseball from when I was 5 until eighth grade when my mom finally let me play football. I played football with the Sun Devils at Twin Lakes Park. I have older cousins (Trevor and Cody Duncan) who play football at Tennessee, and I’ve always wanted to play big-time football like them. 

What’s been the most memorable moment of this spring?

The most memorable moment would be watching coach C being named the head coach because I’ve known him the entirety of being at Riverview from when I was a freshman to now.

What’s your all-time favorite football memory?

I would say beating Booker last year. We came into that game as 15-20 point underdogs, and we didn’t let that get to us. We kept fighting the entire game, even when we made some mistakes. We didn’t let that screw us up.

What went right for Riverview in its spring game win?

I have to give props to the defense. The offense didn’t come out super hot. We threw a pick-six on our first drive, but our defense didn’t let that get to them. They had three three-and-out drives. Our defense really helped us out. Largo’s big guys on their offensive and defensive mostly all go both ways, so it took us a little bit to keep pounding the rock to tire them out, and that’s what helped us score a lot of points in the second half.

What’s gone right for you this spring? 

Just the maturity of my body. I’ve gotten remarkably stranger through my offseason this year compared to last year. I just think I’ve grown into my body a lot better.

What’s been your most humbling moment in football?

Last spring I started my first game against Bishop Verot and I was pulling out on a tunnel screen and I got laid out by a linebacker who was much bigger and stronger than me. It was frustrating. Yeah, it hurt, but it just made me want to go harder and got me a little riled up.

What’s your favorite meal?

I would say steak or venison. I cook my steak medium-rare. We’ll cook it up at the house. I like mashed potatoes and asparagus on the side.

What’s your favorite TV show or movie?

Probably ‘Breaking Bad.’ I think the plot of it is really good, and it’s a long show. It’s not something I can watch over the weekend. I’m still not even done with it, but I’m pretty sure it’s my favorite.

What’s your go-to warm-up song?

I don’t have a specific song, but I listen to ‘Creed’ a lot. I like the intensity of the songs they have. 

If you’re not playing football or working out, what are you doing? 

I fish and hunt as much as I can, and I like to hang out with my family. I fish a lot in the bay and I have some freshwater spots in some neighborhoods around Twin Lakes because I live there. I go hunting in the Daytona Beach area and Kentucky. 

What does your ideal weekend look like?

It would start out with playing a Friday night lights game, waking up early the next morning and going fishing, hunting in the evening and then hanging out with my family all day on Sunday.

Who is your favorite football player and why?

I would say probably Quenton Nelson. I think his story from how he started out playing football is a lot like mine. He came from a family with big football players and wanted to be like them. 

Finish this sentence. Luke Chappell is…

Hard-working and determined.