Larry Blazes New Trail, Will Play Football at USC

All-State linebacker Lawrence Larry has committed to play football at USC, a decision notable not only because he becomes the first athlete from Littlerock High to earn an NCAA Division I scholarship, but because it reconnected coaches who were former college teammates.

Larry (6-foot-3, 235 pounds) is the first major-college scholarship winner in the brief history of Littlerock, which opened six years ago.

He also is the first player landed for USC by Trojan defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, who arrived in mid-December from Arizona State.

Marinelli played football with Littlerock Coach Jim Bauer at Cal Lutheran in 1971, when the team won the NAIA national championship.

“I played right guard and he played right tackle,” Bauer said of Marinelli. Bauer was a team captain in 1971, Marinelli a captain the following season.

The two have kept in touch and were brought together by Larry, who was named to Cal-Hi Sports’ All-State team. He chose USC over Notre Dame, Cal and Arizona State.

“They’re switching their defense since (USC assistant Keith Burns was named defensive coordinator) and it’s going to be an attack defense,” Larry said.

“They’re going to play me at an outside linebacker/defensive end position. I’ll be rushing the passer every down.”