Rising to the Moment: Nino Moksivong’s Impact Season for O’Dea

By Brady Curran

SEATTLE – As O’Dea High prepares for its state championship against Mount Tahoma, the Irish secondary will once again have to prove it can dominate. After key seniors graduated last year, Nino Moksivong embraced a larger role and became a keystone of the Irish's new secondary. 

Stepping into a bigger role required physical and mental adjustments. Confidence and preparation, Moksivong explained, were crucial.

“I just really worked hard to be confident in myself and my abilities,” he said. “I worked mentally to prepare myself for everything and everyone.”

His pre-season focus helped him settle into games quickly. 

As the weeks went on, Moksivong saw major growth in his overall game. When asked what the most rewarding part of the season has been, he pointed to the improvement he has made.

“Just getting more and more athletic and learning new physical skills and mental skills,” he said.

This combination of physical development and football IQ has helped him handle different matchups and hold his own against talented opponents.

One of O’Dea’s strengths this year has been the way players motivate each other during tough moments. The junior says that the team stays locked in because every position group supports one another.

“We just lead each other from each position, from offense to defense to special teams,” he said. “We all lift each other up when things get hard, and we make sure each of our brothers is OK. When a mistake happens, we have a ‘next-play mentality.’”

That ability to reset and stay focused has been key to O’Dea’s success. 

Now, with the state championship ahead, Moksivong is preparing for his biggest test of the season. Mount Tahoma brings a fast, athletic, and aggressive offense that challenges defensive backs on every snap. Moksivong knows he will need to be sharp in coverage and disciplined in his assignments. But after months of development and strong performances, he enters the game with confidence in the work he has put in. 

As O’Dea gets ready for the final matchup, Moksivong stands as a perfect example of a player who stepped into a bigger role and delivered. His growth throughout the season has helped shape the Irish defense, and his performance will play a major part in their pursuit of a state title.