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Navy freshman to make debut vs. Army after father's death

Navy has won 14 straight games over Army, dating back to 2002. Navy won 21-17 in 2015. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Navy has won 14 straight games over Army, dating back to 2002. Navy won 21-17 in 2015. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

One Navy player will make his collegiate debut Saturday against Army. And he’ll do it with a heavy heart.

Per the Capital Gazette, Midshipmen head coach Ken Niumatalolo made the decision to elevate freshman linebacker Paul Carothers to the team’s kick return unit. Carothers has served on the scout team and participated in junior varsity games throughout the year, but now he’ll make his debut on the biggest of stages Saturday in Baltimore.

The move comes weeks after Carothers’ father, a U.S. Marshal, was shot and killed while trying to serve a warrant to a fugitive in Georgia on Nov. 18.

“Paul is one of our brothers and we thought this might be a way to help him heal,” Niumatalolo said Wednesday. “Paul is actually a really good special teams player, but it was also our way of trying to help him through a very traumatic deal.

“This kid can play. This isn’t one of those deals where we’re putting someone out there that can’t handle it. He is one of our best young linebackers. We think he’ll do a good job.”

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Since the death of Patrick Carothers, the team has worn a sticker with his initials on its helmets. That will continue Saturday against the Black Knights.

Paul Carothers is focused on “getting the job done,” like his father would have wanted.

From the Gazette:

“I’m pretty distracted right now with academics, the military stuff and football. Right now, I’m putting my emotions to the side and focusing on getting the job done,” Paul Carothers said after practice on Wednesday.

“That’s how my father brought me up, to never freak out. He would say ‘You’re a Carothers and Carothers never quit.’ So I have to keep moving forward with a lot of support and love from family and friends.”

Navy has won 14 straight games in the series, dating back to 2002. The Midshipmen currently have a 9-3 record. Army is 6-5.

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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!