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By MATTHEW POSTINS Tribune correspondent

Published: December 5, 2007

Updated: 12/05/2007 12:13 am

TAMPA - Christian Green became a quarterback almost by accident. Seven months later, no one would doubt he looks the part.

As Tampa Catholic enters Saturday's 2A state championship game, the soft-spoken sophomore is now a quarterback in every sense.

Sure, he is still a dangerous runner. But the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder is now as apt to beat a team with his arm or his mind as with his legs.

That's exactly what Coach Bob Henriquez hoped for when he made Green the quarterback in May.

"When you have it all, it can be a devastating package," Henriquez said.

Green has the speed to beat anyone. He showcased that on his 56-yard touchdown run against Miami Archbishop Carroll on Friday. He has rushed for 598 yards and eight touchdowns this season.

But his passing has become as impressive. He has completed 65 percent of his passes (119 of 181) for 1,419 yards, throwing 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. Henriquez said it took time to learn what worked best for Green, but he appears to be able to make any throw.

The proof came on his 65-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Broadnax against Riviera Beach Inlet Grove three weeks ago, as he hit Broadnax in stride with a pass that traveled at least 40 yards in the air.

That was a far cry from seven months ago, when Henriquez asked Green to take over as quarterback. Green played receiver as a freshman and admitted he was happy where he was.

"I felt like it was a surprise," Green said. "I wasn't expecting it to happen."

Henriquez had two sophomores competing for the starting quarterback job. He wanted to use Green in a "slash" package so he could get the football more. Green's talent intrigued Henriquez and scared off Green's competitors. They both transferred.

From the start, Henriquez said Green had his own designs on what he wanted.

"From Day One he told me he didn't want to be an athlete playing quarterback," Henriquez said. "He wanted to learn the position."

Green came in early most days during the summer and fall to talk offense with Henriquez and his assistants. And Green showed steady progress, beginning with 7-on-7 play in the summer.

Green's brother, Brandon, thought his younger sibling turned the corner against Lake Placid on Sept. 21, when Brandon saw his brother more relaxed under center in a 46-0 win.

Henriquez thought it came against Jacksonville Trinity Christian two weeks later when the defense stacked the box and dared Green to throw. He went 12 of 14 for 150 yards and three touchdowns.

That's about when Green said he felt a change, too. He said any frustration he felt learning his new role he tried to pour into something positive.

"It was a growing process," Green said. "I felt like I had to keep myself thinking positive things and encouraging myself."

His grasp of the position is really starting to show. Now, the head is there, too. Last week against Carroll, Green directed a drive that yielded no points but was no less important than his touchdown run. With 6:08 left and the Crusaders up a touchdown, Green directed a drive that chewed up nearly all of the clock. By the time the Crusaders were forced to punt, Carroll had the ball on its 14-yard line with less than 30 seconds to tie the game.

They couldn't. Green beat them simply by being sharp enough to keep the drive alive.

No one had to say it. But senior running back Drew Zink did anyway.

"He's a quarterback," Zink said. "That's what he is."

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