Isaiah 11:6 New King James Version
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. This is one of my favorite quotes in the Bible, and I am partial to the King James Version being written in prose commonly referenced as Shakespearean as Shakespeare was the most famous literary figure during the reign of King James VI (England) and I (Scotland). King James commissioned another English translation of the Bible as there were perceived problems with the earlier English translations perpetuated by the Puritans.
The Puritans were a faction from the Protestant Church of England as opposed to the Catholic Church in England, which James, the son of the very Catholic, Mary Queen of Scots, favored. When it was written that…a little child shall lead them, it wasn’t because anyone could have forecast that the Todd County Central High School football team would have a freshman linebacker among its leading defensive playmakers. Well, when it comes to the level of play seen from its freshman linebacker last season, I am sure new HC Darell Keith would agree with Jesus’ sentiment from elsewhere in my favorite translation of the Bible…Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not…Mark 10:14.
Nathan Carroll played in 10 games last season as a freshman in high school and recorded 18 solo tackles, 23 assists, for 41 total stops and a fumble recovery. In my mind that means the 5-9, 160, undersized linebacker acquitted himself well. In watching his film, Nathan appears to have a nose for the football. He takes good pursuit angles whether he is penetrating into the backfield through a gap or scraping down the line of scrimmage before gathering and exploding through the ball carrier. I was impressed with his closing speed and quick reaction to the back field action. On offense, Nathan is listed as a RB, and with losing the Rebels’ leading rusher to graduation, I imagine he will be called on to carry it, next season, more than the two carries he had last year.
One thing is for sure going forward, the Rebels will be exceedingly well coached and will be expected to play hard-nosed, smash-mouth football. By the looks of Nathan Carroll, that will be alright by him, whether he finds him self facing wolf, leopard, lion or lamb. This is Fletcher Long reporting for Kentucky Prep Gridiron reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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