Column: Crespi’s Nicholas Ghazarian will fulfill lifelong dream of playing football while serving his country

Since he was 5, Nicholas Ghazarian would dress up almost every Halloween as a soldier, wearing camouflage and a helmet. Even this past year, as a 17-year-old high school senior, Ghazarian wore fatigues and boots for a costume party.

He was a basketball player when he enrolled at Encino Crespi as a freshman, then tried football and never looked back. He loved early morning workout, welcomed coaches yelling at him during grueling pushups and embraced the challenge of maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average.

Come Wednesday morning, when he signs a letter of intent with the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to play football, he’ll be fulfilling a lifelong dream to serve his country while testing himself physically and mentally.

“It’s surreal for me being able to reach for the stars when I was young and actually hit the stars when I’m in high school,” he said.

At a time when so much hoopla is paid to top high school recruits signing with big-time football programs, those who end up at military academies also deserve attention, for they are going to be the ones protecting the freedoms and rights every citizen cherishes.

Future 2nd Lt. Ghazarian is more than ready to take up the challenge.

Ghazarian was asked what would he be doing on Wednesday if USC or Alabama had offered him a scholarship?

“I honestly would probably choose Army because I know in my heart I’d probably regret not going to West Point because it’s something I’ve always worked toward,” he said. “If I was a five-star athlete, NFL prospect, there’s still opportunity to go to the NFL out of Army.”

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Crespi DE fulfills dream

Ghazarian was a 6-foot-2, 218-pound defensive end for the Celts. He ran the fastest 100 meters on the team at 11.2 seconds and will probably play linebacker at the next level.

He’s committed to becoming a collegiate player, but there’s no doubt becoming an Army Ranger is his No. 1 priority.

His father was born in Lebanon and came to the United States as a teenager. His grandfather served as an interpreter in the Army. Patriotism and giving back have been stressed since he was a child.

He tells the story that was told to him by his great grandmother of a great, great uncle who was killed trying to save his fellow soldiers during World War II in the battle of Okinawa.

“He sacrificed himself for the eight men in the foxhole,” he said. “He gave his life for them. It’s always been a story that resonated with me.”

Ghazarian had never played football before he arrived at Crespi. He didn’t know how to put on shoulder pads or the difference between a safety and cornerback. Now he can’t get enough of football.

“I love everything — from early morning workouts to Friday night lights to the mental toughness and physical toughness,” he said. “It’s all preparation for the next step in your life, whether it be the military academy or regular college. Football prepares you for life in general.”

Crespi went 2-8 last season, but Ghazarian said a team’s record should never be used as an indicator of success or failure.

“This experience has been fantastic,” he said. “I know our record doesn’t speak for it, but the lessons I’ve learned these past four years and the growth I’ve gone through has been tremendous. I owe so much to [Coach] Troy Thomas because he’s been the figure in my life that pushed me.

“Sure my dad pushes me. My mom pushes me, but Coach Thomas pushes you to the next level and lets you find out who you really are and what you’re really made of.”

There will be no fancy commitment video of Ghazarian running through a hotel in Las Vegas or parachuting out of a plane announcing his college choice, but he’s the guy we’ll all be counting on to come through in the years ahead.

“I’m ready for the next step in my life,” he said.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

Twitter: latsondheimer