March 29, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

Santa Ana High lineman Nick Larriva excited about playing Division 1 college football at Idaho State and wants to earn starting spot

Santa Ana High’s Nick Larriva with his father Frank at last week’s Saints football banquet.

Santa Ana High School end Nick Larriva shared his exciting moment last week with family and friends as he officially signed a national letter of intent to play Division 1 college football at Idaho State. (Please click here for more details)

Larriva, who also played offense for the Saints, said he expects to play defensive end with Idaho State and plans to train hard to earn a starting spot. Larriva, a first team All-CIF player, defensive lineman of the year in the Orange Coast League and a first team all-county selection by the Orange County Register, earned a full scholarship with Idaho State.

“It’s realy exciting, it’s a really important time in my life,” he said on Tuesday, Feb. 5, one day before signing. “I’m going to be starting a new chapter and leaving home, going somewhere far and playing college football. It will be a good experience; I’m excited.

“It’s something I’ve been looking forward to since I was little.”

Larriva’s father, Frank, was on hand last Tuesday as the Saints player confirmed he would be signing his letter of intent the next day.

“My dad has helped me a lot,” Larriva said. “He’s always told me to never quit, keep doing what I’m doing and all the training he’s done with me, off-season, keeping me motivated and not letting me lose sight of going to Divisdion 1 football, I really appreciated him.”

Larriva said he is convinced that the decision was the right one.

“What really got me was the visit; the players were really cool, the team and the coaching staff,” said Larriva.

Larriva has many fond memories of the season, but he said the Saints opening league game against Costa Mesa stood out. The Saints went on to go undefeated and beat Orange 29-0 to win the league title.

“Beating Costa Mesa was a really big win, it was the first time we played them and it was a real confidence booster because they were supposed to be really good, and they were a good team,” he said.

Santa Ana went on to advance to the semifinal round of the CIF Division 8 playoffs.

Larriva is hoping for another long playoff run as he competes with the Saints basketball team which is headed to the second round on Tuesday night. (Please click here for more details)

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com