Rohrich and Bagnell commit to schools

Two Lake County football star seniors found out last week they will get a shot at college ball.

Mission running back Jordan Rohrich committed to Montana State in Bozeman and Polson quarterback Craig Bagnell signed a letter of intent with University of Mary in North Dakota.

Rohrich finished his career as a Bulldog with some serious stats. He rushed for more than 900 yards, scored 12 touchdowns and returned four kickoffs for touchdowns. This past season he went all-state in the position of runningback, and all-conference as a linebacker, punter and return specialist.

He was offered a walk-on spot with the Bobcats when he went to visit last week. He said he had already made up his mind if the coaches wanted him.

“I didn’t think I could play football at that level,” Rohrich said. “When they told me I could, I was pretty excited.”

Rohrich said he turned down three other scholarships for a chance to play ball at MSU.

He said the coaches plan to work with him for a year and he would probably redshirt. Down the road, they discussed the possibility of using him as a strong safety or runningback.

Rohrich said those are both positions he loves to play.

Even with all the yards and touchdowns he scored this past season, Rohrich remembered his best moment as a Bulldog football player, a big run against Plains when he was a freshman.

In his only play of the game, he broke off a 50-yard run for a touchdown. The play was called back due to a penalty but those moments are what high school football – is all about, and that was a preview of what to come.

Now the high school star will be a freshman again and fans can be on the lookout for his first big play as a college athlete.

There is just one problem.

“I’m like all-out Griz,” Rohrich said, “All of my family members told me they’re disgusted, but they’re just joking.”

Well, no great feat comes without adversity.

Bagnell led his team to the playoffs this past season where the Pirates fell just shy of knocking off the Miles City team that would ultimately be champions.

He also threw for more than 1500 yards and 15 touchdowns. In addition, he ran for 300 yards and scored three touchdowns rushing, according to the Missoulian.

He went all-state and all-conference as a senior and was selected as an alternate for the Montana East-West Shrine Game and selected for the Mondec game where he will face off against players from North Dakota in June. He made the first all-conference team his sophomore year as well.

He looks back on high school ball with pride.

“In my high school career I don’t have any regrets,” he said. “It was what it was and it was fun.”

He wished to thank his parents, coach Scott Wilson, team and everyone else for supporting him.

“I even have to give credit to my little brother,” Bagnell said. “He’s not the fastest kid but he had a great year.”

His sophomore brother Kyle was one of his primary receivers.

He was looking at a few schools, but said a visit to Mary made the difference. He said, coming from a good group at Polson, meeting the players helped him make his decision. 

“They seemed like great guys,” Bagnell said. “And the coaches were young and energetic. It seemed like they had a lot to offer.”

Bagnell said his last season playing for Polson was always a team effort and his offensive line helped him become the player Mary was looking for.

“You couldn’t have asked for any more from your line,” he said.

Bagnell said he’s leaving behind a team he thinks will be great in the upcoming season for a chance to compete for a spot as a second or third-string quarterback position at Mary.

“Who knows what will happen,” Bagnell said. “I’m just going to go in there and compete.”