Our Story
Before there was ever a logo, a name, or a set of colors, there was simply a group of coaches brought together by circumstance and purpose.
Two years before the Percy Priest Ducks officially formed, our core group came from different youth football programs on opposite sides of town. We coached together for the first time under a program that, at the time, felt like the right place to be. But as the season went on, it became clear that while we cared deeply about the kids, we did not all share the same vision for what youth sports should look like.
After finishing that season and taking the next year off, we did what a lot of people talk about doing when they leave a program but rarely follow through on. We sat down together. We talked out loud. We shared ideas, concerns, and dreams. We challenged each other. Most importantly, we asked one question over and over.
What would make our program different? The answer was simple and deeply personal.
We were already a family.
The group that would become the Ducks included four blood brothers, two wives, and two close family friends. We were not just coaches. We were parents, mentors, and people who believed that youth football and cheer should be built on trust, accountability, and real relationships. Family values were not a slogan to us. They were our foundation.
In 2014, sitting together in a living room, we made the decision to launch the Percy Priest Ducks Youth Football and Cheer Program in Antioch, Tennessee.
What came next was not easy.
As soon as we hit the ground running at the end of 2014, we learned quickly how much politics can exist in youth football. Flyers went up everywhere. Interest started building. But when it came time to join an established league, one that felt like the perfect fit, the answer was no.
We tried again with another league, one considered the grandfather of youth football in Middle Tennessee. Once again, we were met with closed doors.
Our saving grace came in the form of a brand new league, just four teams, all trying to figure it out together.
That first season was a grind.
We had barely 60 kids, many of whom were playing football or participating in cheer for the very first time. Every week we lined up against long established programs with deeper rosters and years of history. But what we lacked in experience, we made up for in heart, effort, and belief.
That season taught us everything. It showed us that we could compete. It showed us that our approach worked. And when our PW team brought home a championship, it confirmed something we already felt. We were building something real.
The following season, we earned the opportunity to join a larger, more established league with nearly 14 teams. From there, the program took off.
We grew from around 60 kids to nearly 80, and each year after that we continued to grow. By 2019, the Percy Priest Ducks had reached close to 120 athletes across our youth football and cheer programs in the Antioch and greater Nashville area.
Then COVID hit.
In 2020, we made the difficult decision to take a full year off. Many nearby programs assumed that would be the end. Not many youth sports organizations can pause completely and survive it.
But we did.
In 2021, the Ducks came back stronger than ever, returning with over 120 kids. We believe that speaks directly to who we are and how we operate. We do not play politics. We do not chase clout. We put kids first, always.
Over the years, we have made mistakes. We have learned from them. We have grown, adjusted, and continued to shape our program into something we are proud to call a family. What started as a small group with a shared vision has grown into a thriving youth football and cheer organization serving families throughout Antioch, Percy Priest, and the greater Nashville community.
This past season marked our 10 year anniversary, and we finished the year with over 200 athletes. We are expecting to continue growing from there.
The Percy Priest Ducks are not just about wins and losses.
We are about development, discipline, teamwork, and creating a positive youth sports experience that kids and families can trust.
This is our story, and we are excited for what is still ahead.
