http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/dec/22/green-runs- to-the-stars-top-offensive-award/?vcspreps=1

Nice, but what's with the Defensive choice? Nordoff had a great year, but it should of been a major Defensive player. This thing about trying to be politically correct is wrong.

GREEN RUNS TO THE STAR'S TOP OFFENSIVE AWARD

By Joe Curley
Updated Saturday, December 22, 2012

Photo by Rob Varela
Yes, Zachary Green saw the posts on the message boards.

"There were a lot of doubters," Green said. "People on different websites bagging on me. 'He can't do it this year. He's not big enough. He's not fast enough. He's not a complete running back.' "

Yes, the St. Bonaventure High running back did respond. Although not with his keyboard.

"I took what they said, printed it out and put it in my locker," Green said.

It seems silly, considering all that Green accomplished at St. Bonaventure, to attempt to recall a time when there was a question whether the 5-foot-10, 215-pound senior could carry the load for the Seraphs against Marmonte League and Pac-5 Division competition.

Of course, any sport utility vehicle that combines four-wheel drive with freeway horsepower needs plenty of fuel to burn.

"I hope I proved all of them wrong this year," Green said.

Considering, without former backfield partner Shaun Wick to share carries, Green proved he could carry the load by piling up 1,700 yards and 27 touchdowns rushing on 211 carries?

Considering his unstoppable 244-yard, four-touchdown performance in the come-from-behind win over Oaks Christian in the first Marmonte League championship game?

Considering the seven touchdowns he scored in two epic games against defending Division 1 state champion Santa Margarita, which included a 195-yard, four-touchdown performance in the 27-21 overtime win in the CIF-Southern Section Pac-5 Division quarterfinals?

With every bruising carry between the tackles, with every speedy corner turned upfield, Green turned any question marks to exclamation points.

Which is why the Marmonte League and Ventura County coaches voted him Offensive Back of the Year and why The Star has honored him as its Offensive Player of the Year.

Green's big season began with a clear mind.

He and his father, Roger Green, decided a short cut would be the smartest route to take through the college recruiting process. Green committed to the University of Arizona over the summer, before his senior year even began.

"I knew if I wasn't committed before the season, it would put a lot of stress on me," Green said. "I wouldn't be focused on the game."

Seeing his teammates and friends currently going through the process, Green knows he made the right choice.

"I see the stress that they're going through," Green said. "You can see it on their faces."

And Green has never wavered in his commitment to Tucson.

"I'm thankful that I've chosen the best place for me," Green said. "That's where I want to spend the next four years of my life."

Having taken care of his mind, Green, dealing with an increased workload, also went the extra distance for his body. Physical therapy with a Pasadena chiropractor included sessions in a hyperbaric chamber. A claustrophobicfeature on KNBC Channel 4's "The Challenge" showed Green being buckled into an oxygenated tube.

Not exactly an ice bath after practice in the school training room.

"My body held up perfectly," Green said. "That therapy and treatment is something I recommend to any athlete. It doesn't get any better."

The season peaked against Oaks Christian in the inaugural Marmonte League championship game, as Green led the Seraphs out of a 21-0 hole with a powerhouse performance.

"That was a great feeling," Green said.

His 4-yard touchdown run with 4:33 to play set up Bryce Dixon's conversion run, which completed the comeback. He followed with game-clinching, tackle-breaking, 53-yard sprint around left end in the final moments.

Personally, that run is his favorite in St. Bonaventure green and gold.

"It showed my speed and my toughness," Green said. "Everything they said I didn't have, I showed on that run. I went from a kid to an adult in that game."

Although Green showed even more maturity in the wake of St. Bonaventure's fogbound shutout loss to Mater Dei in the Pac-5 semifinals.

As the team waited for the buses at Larrabee Stadium, Green gathered his teammates and told them not to hang their heads.

He reminded them that they had made history by beating the defending Pac-5 and state champion, by beating Westlake and Oaks Christian in the same season, by winning one of the toughest leagues in the country and reaching the semifinals in one of the nation's top sections.

"I was really proud of our team and what we accomplished," Green said.

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Gonna be missed ....somebody needs to fill some big shoes.

Great Kid Zach, Wish he would have stayed at Cathedral.

Very excited to see such a highly regarded player headed to Tucson. I've never seen him play, but from what I hear the Wildcats are getting a great player to plug into an explosive RichRod offense. Just a little advice from my playing days in the desert:

1) Make sure the AC works in your apartment...

2) Don't have the best car/rims in the parking lot...stripped parts from rich college kids rides are the best thing to happen to Nogales, Mexico since...well, ever.

3) There are sensors in the aquatic center when you sneak in to skinny dip off of the 10-meter diving platform...so you don't have to be fast, just faster than the people you're with.

4) Don't spend your scholarship money at "TD's Gentleman's Club"...she doesn't really love you, ha!

All kidding aside, I hope he enjoys it and I look forward to watching him excel on the field for the next 4 years. Bear Down!

Sounds like a talented young man who has his head on straight.
Love to see these players succeed.
Hard work, dedication, and good advice goes a long ways.

Suredeal have Zach look up Westlake's Tony Mekari when he gets to the Univ. Of Arizona. The two have much in common.

Best of luck to Zach in his College career.