Athlete of the Issue: Kris Comas

At 6’0” and 170 pounds, the varsity starting receiver is a bit smaller than teammates. Other receivers on the team are 6’2” and 6’5”. However, no other teammate has scored 11 touchdowns in four games.Football has always been a part of Kris Comas’ life. “ I was bred into it,” he said.Since he was five years old, his father pushed him into flag football. When the time came, he began at the lowest level of Pop Warner.With high school just around the corner, Comas planned to go to Venice High. Thankfully, his mother decided to send him to Samo instead, for the academics.“Freshmen year I didn’t get that much love [from the coaches],” said Comas “Sophomore year I stepped up a little bit.”Comas skipped JV football, going directly from freshmen to varsity. This happens to one player a year, at best. He began starting his junior year.Comas has hopes of going to Boise State to play ball and major in business. “If football doesn’t work, I’m a huge fashion dude,” he said. He has plans to start his own clothing company, specializing in summer clothing.His coach, Travis Clark, earns his loyalty and respect. “He’s amazing, he’s an amazing guy,” Comas said. “I’m proud to have him as my coach ... Since the summer he’s been pushing me, letting me work with NFL athletes and college athletes.”Comas has worked with NFL athlete DeSean Jackson. The Philadelphia Eagles receiver ended last season with 1,167 yards total. He played in the Pro Bowl, catching six passes for two touchdowns.Even though he is small, he still works hard. In this respect, his inspiration is DeSean Jackson. “He reminds me that I still have to push hard [and] don’t get down because you’re small.”Comas’ size makes him faster, and makes it easier for him succeed on the field.“Kris is an athlete,” teammate Brock Miller said. “He breaks tackles and scores.”Even in offensive practice drills, Comas will run to the end zone and score.“I focus on what I’m going to execute when I get in the game,” he said “I envision how I’m going to score.”Comas receives unconditional support from his family. They are in attendance of every game. His mother is a huge fan of college football and “you can hear her from the stands,” Comas said.But what drives Comas to play? His love for football is derived from multiple aspects, whether it‘s the Friday night lights or the genuine sense of brotherhood he gets from the team.“I love how everyone comes out to see you play,” he said “and how your family is there, because the team is your family. We work to support each other.”Whether he’s on our television screens or his name marks our clothes, Samo will see much more of Kris Comas after he graduates.Chase WohrleStaff Writer