Athlete of the Week: Nicolas Marti, West Orange football

West Orange football’s do-it-all lineman, Nicolas Marti was a key part of the Warriors’ special 2024 season.

As one of the members of the West Orange High football team’s senior class, Marti’s leadership was crucial to the Warriors 10-3 record and regional championship game appearance. 

The versatile lineman — who was predominantly deployed at the center position — showed his value to the program throughout the season by filling in where needed, playing on the outside and inside of the offensive line and even flipping over to the defensive front at times.

However, Marti didn’t only play in these various spots, he thrived at each position — finishing the season with more than 45 pancake blocks while not allowing a sack or QB pressure and on defense in less than 50 snaps of play, he managed to pick up four tackles for loss and three QB hurries.

With his time as a member of the Warriors football team over, Marti has his eyes on fulfilling his lifelong dream by taking his leadership, versatility and mauler mentality to the college level. Though uncommitted, he currently holds offers from Minot State, Monmouth College and Wabash College.

The Basics

Age: 17

Sport: Football

Grade: Senior

School: West Orange High

Q&A

How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week? 

I feel truly blessed knowing my hard work is not going unnoticed, and I’m appreciative to have been selected as Athlete of the Week.

What do you enjoy the most about football? 

The thing I enjoy the most is being able to compete and play the sport I love with my brothers.

What is your goal when it comes to the sport of football? 

My goal is for football to take me as far as it can. I believe it will open so many doors for me in the future.

What would it mean to you to play at the next level? 

Playing football at the next level would be a dream come true.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from football? 

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is how to persevere when adversity hits.

Photo by TK_PHOTOGRAPHY

What is your favorite football memory? 

I would say my favorite memory is winning the national championship with my 12U team.

Who is your favorite athlete? 

My favorite athlete is Michael Jordan, because of his mentality and how he attacks things.

Is there someone after whom you try to model your game? 

I try modeling my game after Jason Kelce, because he is one of the best ever to have played the center position. I watch his film to see how he uses technique and knowledge to his advantage.

What is your go-to pre-game meal? 

My go-to meal is either Ms. Tracy’s food or Panda Express.

What is your favorite non-football hobby? 

My favorite non-football hobby is playing video games or pickleball.

What is your favorite subject in school?

My favorite subject in school is any science class that includes hands-on labs.

What is your go-to pre-game hype song?

My pre-game song is any song by Jdot Breezy.

What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island? 

I would take my phone for entertainment, a fishing kit to get food and an ATV to be able to explore the island.

What is your favorite movie?

My favorite movie is “Kung Fu Panda,” because of the meaning behind the story.

If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be? 

I would have dinner with my grandma. She passed away, so I would want to talk to her one more time.

If you could go back in time, when and where would you go? 

I would go back to 2018, when the Philadelphia Eagles beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, because Tom Brady lost.

Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self? 

I would tell myself to take every opportunity and embrace it because life goes by a lot faster than you think.

If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be? 

I would ask if I enjoyed the journey that led me to where I am.

Who is your favorite superhero? 

My favorite superhero is Rocket the Raccoon from “Guardians of the Galaxy,” because he will face anybody.

Who is your favorite supervillain? 

Thanos, because he was willing to do anything to accomplish his goal.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? 

I would want to have the power to control time, because I could go anywhere during any time period.

If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go and why? 

I would go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. I’d also want to go to Africa to go on a safari and see all the animals. And lastly, I would go to Australia for the surfing.

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why? 

I would want to be an eagle, so I could fly as high as I want and see the world from up there.

What is your most controversial food take? 

My most controversial food take is that pickles belong in every sandwich.

Does pineapple belong on pizza? 

No. Why would you put fruit on a pizza?