In Connor Green’s first year of football he kicked 19 one point converts, 7 field goals (43 the longest), and had an average of 35 yards on punts for the Portage Collegiate Institute Trojans from Portage La Prairie, Manitoba.
Connor likes the fact that when he goes into the game there’s a lot of pressure on him to succeed, it’s what drives him to do his best every time. With Connor only playing for one season, he believes his edge on others is that he’s been playing for such a little time that he hasn’t had any time to develop any bad habits for his position.
The young kicker from Portage has looked up to Marquette King from the Oakland Raiders. Connor mentioned, “I love how when he plays he just plays to play the game and his sense of humor and how he lives his live is how it should be, he plays with lots of passion and I love his playing style.”
In the future Connor is hoping to get a scholarship playing the game he loves at a school where he can try and further pursue his business aspirations. “I really enjoy business and hope to get a degree in it,” added Connor.
Photo credit: Mike Lukyn
The recruiting process has been slow for Connor at this moment, but with joining the U18 Manitoba team, Connor was able to talk to a couple of school while at the Canada Cup.
Connor’s top three choices are the University of Manitoba, Acadia University, and Queens. These schools are in Connor’s top three because they are somewhat close to home, Connor has heard great things about all three schools, and Connor has always enjoyed the campus at the University of Manitoba and Acadia.
When he gets the chance to suit up at the next level Connor thinks he’ll be able to adjust quite well because he used to play soccer and played in some very big games. “The pressure that comes with the next step is what drives me to become better every day,” said Connor.
Connor’s goals for the next level of football are to be able to perform to the best of his abilities, and do whatever is expected of him.
During the offseason, Connor is hoping to get out to some camps to improve his kicking, and continue to work out and train hard until the next season he’s in.
Connor’s parents have been influential to him because they have always been the ones for him telling him that he can do it, and also pushing him to become better for himself.
Coach Burrell has inspired Connor in many ways. He introduced Connor to a whole new level of football that he had no idea of, and helped improve Connor as a football player, and a person.
To Connor, football is happiness. “At the end of a rough day football is what I can always count on to help make things better,” replied Connor. “Whether it’s working out to become better for football or just kicking some balls and having fun, it’s something I’ve been able to fall back on after a rough day to help make things better.”
The most memorable moment for Connor was in his first ever football practice. Connor never played before and thought he’d try it out. He showed up and had no idea who anyone was or what to do and everyone was so welcoming even though they had no idea who Connor was but they helped him along the way. At first Connor didn’t really want to be a kicker so he tried defensive back, people on the team knew that Connor played soccer so they volunteered him to be the kicker and before he knew it he was kicking 35 and 40 yard kicks on his first day of practice. “It was truly a special moment for me to know that I had a place that I was welcomed to,” mentioned Connor.
Although Connor may have only played football for one season he’s learnt that character is everything. Connor explained, “Our coach always says that, no matter if you’re in a game or out with friends, it’s how you act and how you show yourself that really matters.”
Connor Green
Kicker/Punter
5’9, 160 lbs
Teams: Portage Collegiate Trojans (WHSFL)
Commitment: none
Official Visits: none
Considerations: open
Class: 2018
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