Harold Keller / L’Observateur / September 22, 1999

Three months ago, if someone had told me this past Friday my wife and I would be watching a high school football game between the Tallulah Academy Trojans and the River Oaks Mustangs in Tallulah, La., I wouldhave said that doesn’t make sense. First of all, I had never been to Tallulahand driving over three hours to see a high school football game where I knew none of the players seemed ridiculous.

I remember only a couple of weeks ago, Jeanne was talking to one of our daughters and I overheard her say, “Daddy and I have an exciting life!” We really do, and I thank God for that.

Well, getting back to Tallulah.

A few months ago, my good friend, Mac Donaldson (who brags about all his grandchildren), was telling me about his grandson, Jack, who plays football for Tallulah Academy. “Harold, he’s pretty good!” he said. “Heplays both ways – offense and defense.” I told Mac that one Friday, wewould go and watch him play.

Well, that Friday was last Friday. Mac’s daughter, Leslie Ellerbee (Jack’smother and a teacher at the school), arranged for me to speak to some of the students in the afternoon.

We arrived in Tallulah about 12:15 and went to the school for our 1 p.m.scheduled session. We had the privilege of speaking to a group organizedby both John, who is Jack’s twin brother and also president of the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), and Jack. The students were great! Theprincipal, Milton Linder, and the faculty were very gracious and made us feel at home. The thing that impressed me the most with the school wasthe humble spirit that was present. It was a blessing for us to be in thatenvironment.

Before the game, we met Leslie’s only daughter, Beth, and Mrs. HazelEllerbee, Leslie’s mother-in-law. At the game, we were privileged to meetLeslie’s oldest son, Darryl, who is a college student at Northeast in Monroe.

The Trojans won the game, 28-0. Mac was right! Jack was pretty good! Hegained 83 yards and had a 61-yard touchdown called back because of a penalty. His brother, John, is the statistician. I later told him not tonullify that play. I knew Mac and Leslie didn’t.What made the game even better was getting to meet some of the players during the day and sitting with their parents at the game. I got excitedwhen Michael Cummins intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble in the first half, it was a joy to see the excitement of his mother and grandmother, who were sitting right behind me. Alan Machen, Number 50,one of the captains for the night along with Jack, Number 30, impressed me during the day as a class guy. After the game, he immediately went tothe game officials and shook their hands.

As we were leaving, James Grady, Number 25, who was going to the locker room, all sweaty and tired, gave me a big smile, followed by a hug, and said, “Come back!” Cole Norris, Number 77, a 10th-grader, 6-foot-5-inches, and weighing 270 pounds, touched my heart at the afternoon session. I’m sure his heart is asbig as his physical frame.

No, three months ago, Tallulah wasn’t in my plans. However, God haddifferent plans for Jeanne and me. Did anyone get blessed this pastweekend because we went to Tallulah? You bet! We did!

Harold Keller is a regular columnist for L’Observateur

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