Receiver Making the Bellefonte Record Book His Own

By Brian Carson

       If you were to take a poll and ask all the District 6 football coaches who the best all-around athlete in the area is - chances are the name Nate Carson would come up quite a bit.

Carson, a four-year starter on defense and three-year starter on offense, can do it all. In addition to his normal positions - he's lined up at tailback and holds down punt and kick return duties.

       The 6-1, 175-pound wide receiver/cornerback from Bellefonte High School is re-writing the Red Raider record book with his all-around playmaking abilities.

       The senior has broken or tied four school records during his career.

Those that fell by the wayside are career touchdowns (35), interceptions (19), total points (217) and receiving touchdowns (24). The latter also broke the Centre County record that was held by State College's Gary Ellis (1973-75).

In addition, his 72 career receptions for 1,359 yards are fourth on the all-time Bellefonte list.

He has scored touchdowns in every possible way - 24 receiving, four rushing, three on interception returns, and two each by punt and kickoff returns. Heck, he's even kicked an extra point and scored some two-point conversions just for good measure. Impressive.

Carson, a 2004 Pennsylvania Football News all-state selection, makes scoring look easy - like all good players do. His fluid motion and cat-like quickness, his leaping ability and passion for the game are a joy to watch.

Back in 1952, Philadelphia baseball writer Al Horowitz told then-rookie Ted Williams on a trip to the west coast, 'wait till you see Jimmie Foxx hit.' What do you think 'The Splendid Splinter's' response was?

"Wait till Foxx sees me hit."

That's an attitude of a winner - they want the ball. They want to make the big play and be the star of the show.   Carson exudes that attitude every time he steps on the field. He wants the attention. He wants to prove himself with the game on the line.

He has forever changed the wide receiver position at Bellefonte High School and he did it with a simple recipe - a heavy dose of talent, coupled with a heaping tablespoon of confidence, sprinkled with a smidgen of cockiness.

The results are records for himself and victories for his team. And in the long run, victories are the most important.

Bellefonte has had a season to remember - a 9-1 record, its first Mountain Athletic Conference championship and a berth in the District 6 Class AAA finals.

Last week in the opening round of the playoffs, Carson let his presence be known in the big game. Although he touched the ball only four times, two went for scores.

The big play has his name written all over it and nowhere was that more evident than against the Trojans. He scorched Johnstown for a 53-yard touchdown catch and finished the game with three receptions for 101 yards.

In his career, Carson's had scores of 89, 59, 58, 53 and 49 yards, just to name a few. He's averaged 19 yards per catch for his career. Is he a big-time playmaker? Oh yeah, most definitely.

The Red Raiders will play for the title against Huntingdon (8-2), Friday night at Mansion Park in Altoona.

And regardless of the final outcome, no one can deny that Nate Carson has left a lasting impression. Not only in the Red Raider record book, but also in the hearts and minds of every high school football fan who got to see him play.