Green And Garner Pose Dynamic Duo For Oakton!
When Oakton takes the field this fall, they will do so with a big challenge ahead of them. Defending a state championship is never easy, but the Cougars do have some reasons to be confident in their quest for a second straight title. Their confidence lies in two players who line up on either side of the ball on offense. Seniors Jared Green and Ervin Garner are two of the state's most exciting players to watch on the football field.
Both Garner and Green were key components in the Cougars' run to the State Championship last fall. Green admits that last year's Cinderella season is hard not to think about.
“Winning states last year was like a dream,” Green said. “Nobody expected us to make it out of the regions, but we proved them all wrong and went all they way.”
With many new faces on the team, the Cougars are going to have several holes to fill if they are going to get another ring after this season. That has Green and Garner feeling some pressure to take charge.
“We are feeling more pressure than anyone could possibly imagine,” Garner said. “Our senior class is ready for the challenge of leading our team back to the state championship game.”
This summer, Green impressed several of the biggest college football programs in the country when he ran a 4.47 (40) yard dash at Penn State's Nike Combine. That performance has college recruiters buzzing about the 6'3 receiver. The same can be said for Garner, who is just as fast and is receiving looks from several outstanding college football programs. If Oakton's quarterbacks can get the ball to their two talented wideouts, the Cougars could find themselves in the end-zone often.
“Our biggest strength on the field is our passing game,” Green said. “We have a ton of speed.”
Head Coach Joe Thompson has seen what his two speedy wide receivers can do on the field, and also the type of people both Green and Garner are off the field. Needless to say, he likes what he sees.
“Jared and Ervin are great players on the field; they work hard to execute physically the things we do, and they work hard to understand the game,” Thompson said. “More importantly, they are great kids to coach. They have the type of enthusiasm that is contagious, and their personalities are reflected in their play. I'm lucky to have the opportunity to work with them on and off the field.”
Green is the son of former Hall of Fame Redskin cornerback Darrell Green. When you are Darrell Green's son, it can be hard to build your own identity, and that is something Jared wants to do this season and beyond.
“I want to be known for my athletic achievements and ability, not my father's. It is my goal to step out of that shadow and make a name for myself, and that is my driving motivation,” Green said.
Garner definitely sees his buddy's talent, and wants the same thing for him.
“Jared catches everything that is thrown to him, and he is a big time receiver. He is a legit division 1 caliber player, and I know he's going to have a great senior season. Hopefully then, he will get the respect he deserves for his play on the field.”
When asked about how his Dad has helped his game, the younger Green was quick to answer.
“My Dad told me that he wouldn't talk football or start helping me get ready to become better unless I was ready to go at it with everything I had. When I told him I was ready, it was full speed ahead. He made Ervin and I almost puke when he put us through the first workout. We ran hills with him, and we realized real quick that we were going to need to be serious about working out in the offseason.”
Garner echoed the same sentiment.
“I had worked out with Mr. Green the day before Jared and I began our routine with him, and I was hurting pretty bad. I didn't think it was ever going to end,” Garner said with a laugh.
When asked about his conversations after a game with his Dad, Jared used the word “humbling.”
“I can catch a 99 yard touchdown and when I get home, the first thing he says is, “That catch was great, but what about that missed block or dropped ball later in the game?” Green said. “He keeps me humble by motivating me to never be satisfied with my performances.”
Both players feel like they are prepared for their senior seasons. College football coaches are feeling the same way apparently too. Green and Garner are getting serious looks from teams all over the country. Both players have their favorites in mind.
“I'd like to go play at Virginia Tech or Miami. They are both great programs,” Green said.
“Maryland and Virginia Tech are two programs that I have an interest in and would like to play for,” Garner said.
Besides their natural athletic ability and talents, both Green and Garner are good young men who stay out of trouble off the field, and work hard on it. Assistant coach Pat Purcell said that was the first thing he noticed about both players.
“I've known Ervin for years and Jared since last year, but both of them are just real down to earth, and they are solid people first and foremost. Any coach would love to have a roster full of young men like them.”
If Oakton is going to make it back to the playoffs, they are going to need both Green and Garner to step up in a big way. The impression you get when talking to both players is that they know what's at stake.
“I'm just going to try to get everyone excited to play,” Garner said. “I want to keep the team excited and do my best to make plays for us. If we play together and do what our coaches tell us to do, we will be just fine.”
“Every game is a must win,” Green said. “We are going to try to take as much as we can from last season and use it on the field this year. It's our last run as seniors, and I want to make it the best it can be. We have the best coaching in the state, and I know they will help us win.”
The Cougars will have a bulls-eye on their jerseys this fall as the defending champs, but both players know that if they can lead their team back to the post-season, anything can happen.
“Going back to the playoffs is the goal and that starts with winning our district,” Green said. “We need to do whatever it takes to get back there, and once we are there, it is anyone's championship to go get.”
Garner added a similar sentiment.
“I want to do everything I can to help make this season as successful as last season,” Garner said. “We need to approach each game one at a time, and not overlook anyone, but I like our chances to win this season.”
