By Nick Hampton 

Elijah Green is a three-year starter at the wide receiver and safety positions for Classen SAS. Last season, Green was asked to move from wide receiver to quarterback, which showed a lot grit to the coaching staff.

“That showed me he cares more about what is best for the team than himself,” coach J. Dee Marinko said. “He is about us and not about me, which is really special.”

This season, Green is moving back to wide receiver, which is the juniors preferred position on offense. According to Marinko, Green has already shown during summer workouts that he can go get the ball in tight coverage and then outrun the defense.

“He can turn a five-yard hitch into something special,” Marinko said. “He is an electric player who can make plays all over the field. He is going to have the chance to make so many plays this year. It is going to be fun to watch.”

Green is also a two-year starter on the Comets basketball team at the forward position. In the spring, Green competes in four events, qualifying for state in all four events 200m, 400m, 4×100 & 4x200m relays). Last season, Green placed third in the 400m dash.

Outside of athletics, Green mentors the younger kids at his high school, showing them around school and how to act in the process.

“Elijah is a great kid off the field,” Marinko said. “He is a great teammate and does everything he is asked. He always has a smile and no matter what he is out there pushing himself and his teammates to give everything they have.”

Upon graduation, Green plans to attend college and get a degree in physical therapy. Green also credits his mom, Kenya, for her support on and off the field.
“My mom works hard and shows me that I need to work hard to have success in life,” Green said. “I do what I need to do to carry my weight and help her in any way I can. I owe a lot of my success and opportunities to her.”