I'm a believer!

Just one man's opinion, but I'll go on record as saying that Tampa Catholic quarterback Chrisitan Green will be the most dynamic football player in the Tampa Bay area by the start of his senior season. His athletic ability isn't any secret to his Crusaders teammates or coaches, a but I hadn't heard much about him prior to TC's win over Clewiston last week in a Class 2A regional final, which leads me to believe he's escaped other people's notice as well.

Here's one reason you should take notice: TC coach Bob Henriquez uses names like Darrell Jackson when talking of his potential.

So here's a breakdown: He's a sophomore, 15 years old, listed pretty accurately at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. Last year, he caught 10 touchdown passes as a wide receiver. Even now, he looks more like a receiver than a quarterback: long arms, long legs, good hands, little to no body fat.

In the spring, the TC coaching staff devised a package of plays for Green to run under center, much like Pittsburgh has done with Kordell Stewart and, to a lesser extent, Antwaaan Randle-El over the past decade. It was the first time in Green's life that he'd played quarterback, other than simple games of catch. But because Green played so well, and because Tampa Catholic was in need of a leader at the position, the sophomore remained under center.

As expected, Green was extremely raw during the early part of the season. In his second start, a 15-14 loss to Clearwater Central Catholic, he threw three interceptions. In his first five games, he threw just four touchdowns and averaged under 70 yards passing per game.

But Green worked tirelessly with TC assistant Shane Stafford, a former Tampa Bay Storm quarterback who now plays with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League, learning the mental aspect of the position.

He ended the season on a tear, throwing for more than 120 yards in four of the Crusaders last five regular season games, then completed a combined 18-of-27 passes for 201 yards in TC's first two playoff games.

Friday night against Archbishop Carroll, he played one of his best all-around games of the season. He completed 10-of-14 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Two of his completions were drops.

He displayed his pocket presence: on a third down play in the second half, he felt pressure up the middle, tucked the ball, and ran for a first down. He displayed great arm-strength, throwing one incompletion 45-50 yards on the run. He showed great speed, breaking off a 56-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, out-racing the entire Carroll defense in the process.

But most impressive was his decision-making ability: Green made the correct read on every one of his throws, even the incompletions. He didn't hesitate on any of his 16 passes. He showed great touch on a 30-yard pass to Eric Gerken down the left sideline. He made a quick deicison to his Gerken with a 26-yard slant pass.

"He was pretty flawless tonight," coach Bob Henriquez said.

Here's the thing, though: Green is so physically talented, his future just might rest at the wide receiver position. Stafford said his gut tells him the sophomore's future is as a wide receiver. And Green's father, Hiram, is a 6-foot-8 former basketball player at South Florida. At 15 years old, there's not telling how much Green will grow.

Still, anyone who has watched Green this postseason will tell you that, for now, he's a quarterback. He can make all the throws, is incredibly polished for a player who has spent less than a year at the position, and has the dual-threat ability that many college coaches covet.

I asked Henriquez after the game if Green would definitely finish his high school career as a quarterback, and the coach seemed pretty confident that he would.

Green, interestingly enough, seems pretty ambivalent about playing the position. He admitted he was hesitatant to embrace it. I asked him if he cared if he played wide receiver instead of quarterback next year, and he said he wouldn't.

He's an interesting athlete, with all the potential in the world. Definitely worth keeping your eyes on.

(TC plays in the Class 2A state final against Madison County at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando Saturday).

--DAVID MURPHY, Times Staff Writer

dmurphy@sptimes.com

Comments

[SunshinePreps]

If anyone is interested in seeing a video on Christian, here it is.
http://64.237.99.126/clips/2010FL101.wmv

What to believe now?

I hear he will transfer again next fall. That is 3 schools in 3 years for this kid, amazing

[Soma]

When it comes to football, Miami-Dade County rules.

i go to jesuit and im not gunna lie he is nasty definatly one of the top players in the country his senior year

Comment No. 1 -

Not a believer? well......

Here's an open invitation for YOU to be able to personally witness the talent that Christian Green exemplifies.....

You're Invited:

TAMPA CATHOLIC'S STATE FINALS

When: Saturday, December 8, 2007, 7:00pm, Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL

P.S. Please pass on to ALL your other Jesuit fans -who I'm sure will be sitting at home on Saturday night wishing they were there instead!

[Tom]

To the non-believer sitting up at 1:30 in the morning typing nonsense, all I know is that Tampa Catholic is 1 of 2 teams representing State of Florida High Schools in the Class 2A State Championship Game. They might win, they might not - bottom line is that they beat some incredibly talented teams to get there and they did it in convincing style!! The FHSAA system of classifications are put into place for a reason. You can't expect the smaller schools to produce the volume of talent that the larger schools produce. Its a numbers game. The bottom line is that Christian Green and Tampa Catholic defeated 4 of the states top 5 Class 2A teams this year. I think that's more than any other local team can claim within their respective Class!!!

[Frank]

To the person who wrote the first comment,

I am not a supporter of Tampa Catholic, but do watch 1B, 1A, 2B, and 2A Sports. The difference is those programs might have 1-6 great athletes per team. In 5A and 6A Sports they have more athletes per team. Do not cut down the lower classifications of sports as many great athletes have come from smaller programs. Christian Green I wish you good luck and do not worry about some idiot that has never seen football in the lower classifications.

i just want to let the guy on top know that if he knows so much about highschool athletes to tell me why Chritian Green is already getting contacted by numerous division one schools?

[Kibid]

Hey December 02, I dunno what team you support, but ANY team that can say they've beat Trinity Christian AND Trinity Catholic on the ROAD in the SAME season is impressive.

I'm not a Tampa Catholic supporter, but you gotta give credit to the program and the organization.

OK so the kid is a talented and gifted athlete with a great body. Stop there. Look who he plays against week in and week out. He couldn't even lead his team past the worst Jesuit team in 20 years. Let him play 5A & 6A competition each week and he just another athlete on the fied. 2A star - BIG WOOP!