OCVarsity is putting the spotlight on the players taking part in the O.C. All-Star Football Game on July 8 at Orange Coast College.
For this edition, we have selected one of the key players for the South, Saddleback Valley Christian receiver David Molina.
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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: DAVID MOLINA
David Molina was one of many standout players in a landmark season for the Saddleback Valley Christian football program.
The Warriors won their first CIF-SS title in the East Valley Division and advanced to the CIF Division 5A state championship game where SVC took its first and only loss of the season.
Molina did his part in every facet of the game to be named the San Joaquin League’s player of the year and first-team All-CIF on offense. Molina led SVC in total touchdowns, all-purpose yards and interceptions and was second on the team in rushing yards and touchdowns and receiving yards and touchdowns. Molina was also fifth on the team in tackles while being dynamic on kick and punt returns.
Molina will continue on in football at the University of Redlands.
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THE Q&A
Q: What’s this all-star experience been like for you? Especially coming from a small school in Saddleback Valley Christian but able to play with a lot of different guys from a lot of different schools, what’s your time been like?
A: I’ve loved every single second of it. Just being able to be with other coaches and other players who played at the higher divisions or the Trinity League or whatever it may be. It’s been an awesome experience just to get ready for college and be able to play with people with really good talent.
Q: Saddleback Valley Christian, the program has really risen pretty quickly over the last few years. What do you think you can attribute to how this program has gotten so good up into a championship this season?
A: A lot of it was just getting through adversity. That brotherhood, the bond that we were able to come together after losing coaches here and there, and just the different little obstacles we had to go through, injuries here and there, and just the teamwork and just never giving up.
Q: When you look around, even on your own SVC team, you are one of the shorter guys on the field at 5-foot-10. What is your greatest strength in being one of the smaller guys and how do you use that to succeed?
A: I just trust in my abilities and what I can do. Just working hard in practices and just making sure I can perform to the best of my abilities, regardless of how big I am.
Q: You’re going to Redlands next year. What stood out to you about Redlands?
A: I just liked the way the coaches reached out to me, and just the way they showed interest in me. I think that’s a good school for me and closer to home. I’m also going to be able to play with (fellow wide receiver Mitchell) Nikovich (of Capistrano Valley) who’s also playing in the All-Star Game as well.
Q: The All-Star Game is kind of a different set-up where it’s a couple months removed from the regular season. How was it trying to get back into football shape or into the football mind?
A: I was just working out with the Redlands packet that we were getting. So I was already getting in shape. When I heard I was chosen for the game, I was super stoked and just trying to get mentally prepared. The playbook is pretty easy and pretty simple. It’s just finishing the task and executing.
Q: You played all over the field at Saddleback Valley Christian. You’re playing in this game as a wide receiver. Did you prefer wide receiver or defensive back or even punt returner? What was your preference?
A: I really like playing slot receiver. That just my sweet spot that I can feel most comfortable in. I’m really excited to play in this one.
Q: You’ve got one more opportunity to put on the Saddleback Valley Christian helmet on Friday. What’s that going to be like for you?
A: Super stoked. Finishing even on this practice field (at Laguna Hills), this is where I had my last game (at SVC in the CIF state championship). That was a tough loss that we had, but just being able to be out here and practice on here and just knowing that this is my last game in high school, it’s an awesome experience just to represent my school and represent God. I’m just super stoked for that.
Q: When you played here in that state championship game, it was just pouring rain and like you said a tough loss. Pretty memorable. When you first walked out here for practice, did you get those flashbacks?
A: Just me walking out from that little turf area (down from the locker rooms), it felt like just, dang, I was just here just a couple months ago and now it’s time to restart and get over that loss and work harder than I ever did before.
