Rounding out our captain’s profiles is senior defensive player Emmanuel Green who is another crucial part of the Friar defense. In conjunction with Kieran McKenna and other members of the Friar defense, they spent the past few months training to become dominant in the backfield. Green’s sibling Xavier Green graduate in 2019, and was a major part of the Friars defense in previous years. With a similar style of play to his brother, the transition to the varsity level was smoother for him than most. His aggressiveness and speed make him a threat and paired with his ability to scan the field Green is a major asset to the Friar team.
Named a Senior Captain by his Friar teammates, he takes the role as a leader and role model seriously. He has trained prior to the 7v7 season to be a reliable player for Coach Minucci and the defense. When discussing some of his favorite moments of the shortened 7v7 season, he tells us, “We were playing Saint Johns in a close game. Late in the second half, we were only leading by a few points. Our defense was out on the field tasked with only one job to stop SJB’s O. If we did this it was more than likely that our offense would draw the clock out to give us the win. On the third play of their drive. After SJB only picked up a few yards they tried to test us by going deep. The QB ended up throwing a pick to me which allowed the offense to get the ball back and win the game.” These split-second moments just like Green’s interception allow defenders to change the tide of the game. His position, as many, are important to the aspects of the game.
When talking to Green about his thought on Coach Minucci and the football staff he expresses to us the appreciation for all they do, “Their willingness to stay after and find time to work with you for something you want to work on like drills or go over something as simple as coverages or plays is beneficial to all of us as athletes and players. They’re willing to support us and help us get better for the next level and that is very admirable.”
The Friar team is embodied by the idea of faith, family, friars, and football. They use all those aspects to create student athletes who excel both in the classroom and on the field. These three captains (Green, McKenna, and Rizzo) will have their work cut out for them as they not only have to lead this team through a season but also an unpredictable time.
Check out the Friar Instagram @friarfootball to see a visual profile on each of these players!
Gabrielle Miller is a Junior at St. Anthony’s High School, this is her second year at Friar Scoreboard. She is a member of NHS, the Girls Basketball team, and hopes to study journalism in the future.
