Football: All eyes are on Rasheem Green

Heads turned once Rasheem Green stepped onto the field for warmups before Friday night’s game at Gardena Serra. The occurrence is nothing new for the Cavaliers’ high-profile senior, who commands attention when he makes an appearance on the gridiron.

The recognition, not only here in the Southland but also on the national level, is something that simply comes along with territory for the 6-foot-5, 275-pound defensive tackle. He’s learned how to deal with it all. Over time, taking things in stride has become the norm.

All eyes will be on him once again during the Mission League opener set for kickoff a few minutes from now. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (3-0), in fact, has been preparing for the Cavaliers (2-1) and Green for the better part of the last week. Stopping him, however, does not figure to be easy.

“I have a target on back, I know that. It’s been that way for awhile now. I guess it’s a sign of respect,” Green said. “Only thing I worry about is me, not about the other team. If I do what I’m supposed to do, things work out. Football is only as difficult as you make it, that’s what I think.”

The theory has served him well. Green, after all, is one of the country’s premier prospects with scholarship offers in place from most of the nation’s powerhouse programs, including Alabama, Notre Dame and Florida State. Here at home, UCLA and USC are major players.

Another indication of Green being a household name on the prep circuit was the ceremony on campus earlier this week formally announcing him as a participant in January’s Army All-American Bowl. In the meantime, it will be business as usual for Green.

Sean Ceglinsky has covered sports in the Southland for the better part of the past 15-plus years. Follow him on Twitter: @SeanCeglinsky