Carson Riney is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Greenway for AZPreps365.com

Nick Saint is a senior at Greenway High School, where he is a utility player for the football team. But beyond his ability to play multiple positions, Nick’s story is defined by the people who motivate him to be the best version of himself.

Even during a 1-9 senior season that everyone wished had gone differently, Nick’s love for the game only grew, and his commitment to it only increased. But his motivation goes beyond the football field.

Nick is shaped by his family and doesn’t take the opportunities he’s given for granted. While his high energy and work ethic made him a captain of the Demons football team, the people closest to him have helped shape him into who he is today.

For Nick, football is more than a sport. He has learned through adversity, hard work and commitment to the game he loves.

“I feel like it’s kind of built me as a person,” he said.

Christine Saint, Nick’s mother, shared what Nick was like growing up and how his high-energy, kind personality has been a constant since he was born.

“He was a super energetic, happy baby,” she said. “He’s a very kind, caring person. He’s that friend everyone can be friends with.” 

Despite being young for his grade, Nick has always been the tall kid of the crew. But his kind soul has been there from the get-go. Nick has an older brother, Nate, who is 19 and nonverbal. Nick offers a helping hand to his mother and family, stepping up to help with whatever is needed.

“As a person, he is very sweet and helps me with his brother, while also helping me out,” she said.

As for football, Nick is someone who loves the day-to-day grind and was a reliable player for the Demons, something Greenway football coach John Morgando appreciates greatly about him.

Nick played all across the field this season and was one of their most reliable players as he was someone whose effort you didn’t have to question whether it was in practice or on Friday nights.

“You never have to get on Nick about going hard,” Morgando said. “He’s always pushing, always trying.”

“When you think about the (team's) record over his four years, it’s not what he wants it to be, but his effort never really changed,” Morgando said.

Nick’s versatility allowed him to contribute in nearly every phase of the game. Defensively, he played a hybrid linebacker and safety role, while offensively he lined up in multiple positions, including H-back and tight end. He also contributed on special teams, rarely coming off the field as the Demons relied on him in all three phases.

“I’ve had very few kids who I can look back to and be like, he gave me 100% all the time,” Morgando said.

“We can show some highlight clips of Nick going forward,” Morgando said. “This is how you play this position for us. This is what we want.”

Nick has plenty of passions and interests away from football. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching anime and hiking. He also likes fashion and is into thrifting.

“He’s into clothes and fashion. He and his friends buy, swap or sell them,” his mother said.

While Nick has passions away from football, the game has been a growing joy for him since he began playing around age 12. Despite the senior season he didn’t want, Nick’s passion never faded, and that showed in the stats and in the region, as Nick was named first-team all-region defensive flex player.

“He’s a guy who came to almost everything all summer,” Morgando said. “Attendance was well over 90% for all the summer stuff and the spring stuff. And he’s always there and he’s always got energy.”

Nick wants to play college football after high school but is undecided on where. He will graduate from Greenway this spring.

As for what he hopes his teammates and others at the school will remember most about him, Nick had this to say:

“I’d say maybe I’m a kind person. And my teammates ... they’ll never meet someone that wants it more,” he said.