Mike Ogrin likes to think that he grew up the stereotypical only child.

"I think I'm a pretty spoiled kid," said the Saints defensive end with a smile.

Since arriving at Carroll College five years ago, however, Ogrin has discovered that he has a lot more family ties than he first imagined. And, he's happy to share with his siblings on the team.

"That's the thing that I love here," he said. "I've made some really good friends. Mason Siddick, I consider him pretty much a brother.

"I'm an only child, but I consider a lot of guys really good friends and almost family."

Growing up in a lineage of Gonzaga Prep stars - beginning with former Carroll College linebacker Josh Schmidt followed by All-American defensive end Phil Lenoue and a host of others that have passed through or are currently in the program - Ogrin fell into the "Little Saints" system and exceled thanks to the help of the older players on the team.

Having started on the defensive line since he was a sophomore, Ogrin is now the teammate that many on his squad, young and old, are looking to as an example of senior pride.

"Last year, I was his backup and I looked at him for help and advice, how he did things and approached practice," said Siddick, a fellow senior and defensive tackle. "I think we all have that mutual respect for each other and we all look up to each other."

One of 15 players to graduate this season from the Saints' squad, Ogrin will walk across the field at Nelson Stadium today as a part of the Senior Day celebration. Carroll will play its final regular season home game, hosting Rocky Mountain College.

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Something special happens when a young man signs on to play for the Carroll football team.

He doesn't just get inducted onto another squad of smash-mouth scoundrels, ready to inflict pain on their next opposition. Instead, he joins a close-knit group that learns to rely on one another.

The pattern starts from the very beginning when a young player is linked up with a "patron Saint," who guides him through the first years of the program.

When Ogrin arrived from Spokane, Wash., he learned from former defensive linemen Chris Ramstead and Lenoue.

"It makes you feel a lot more comfortable," Ogrin said. "Just to have an older guy that's been around for awhile to show you the ropes of the program in case you have any questions all the way up to school."

It's from those two that Ogrin learned to keep a motor running and always moving forward.

When another former lineman, Nick Gilchrist, injured an ankle midway through Ogrin's sophomore year, the younger defensive tackle stepped onto the field and made an immediate impact. By the end of that national championship season, Ogrin had 22 total tackles and seven sacks, one more than Gilchrist.

"Mike has just been very steady," said Saints head coach Mike Van Diest. "He hasn't had a bad ball game. He's not going to be one of the ones that stops tackling. His pressure is good, he does his job, he doesn't blow assignments."

This season, Ogrin already has 23 tackles, including three for a loss, and three sacks. More importantly, he has been the key to a defensive line that saw dramatic changes from last season.

Moving from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3, the Saints needed a defensive end to counter senior Garrett Thompson.

After four years at the tackle position, Ogrin moved to the outside and began learning how to be an end for the first time since high school.

"Moving him to defensive end was one of the key decisions that our staff made," Van Diest said.

The change also allowed Siddick and junior Travis Schmidt to fill the middle of the line, which has proved to be a lethal combination.

The starting defensive line has accounted for 14.5 of the team's sacks. They've blocked passes at the line, crushed running backs in the gaps and been one of the key aspects in the Saints top-notch defense, which is allowing only 10.5 points per game, rated fourth in the country.

"It all starts up front for them on the defensive line," said Rocky head coach Brian Armstrong. "They've got a dominant defensive line.

"They don't take plays off, they don't make many mistakes."

That's because with three fifth-year seniors and Schmidt having a solid year, they've learned to lean on each other when they need help the most.

"When you're getting tired and you're getting sore, you look at the guy next to you, because you know what he's going to give you," Thompson said. "So, you've got to give it your best at all times."

Few have exemplified that relentless attitude as well as Ogrin.

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Ogrin's teammates know there's a reason he's been able to accomplish a rare feat by a defensive lineman not once, but twice.

In 2008, Ogrin snagged a screen pass away from Eastern Oregon quarterback Chris Ware and ran it back for a touchdown.

One year later, he leapt on a fumble by MSU-Northern quarterback Matt Reyant in the end zone for the second touchdown of his career.

"He will probably tell you it's luck or being in the right place at the right time," Siddick said. "He studies so hard and is looking at the playbook, he's always in the right place at the right time."

Both were moments of elation, and after his first touchdown, Ogrin high-stepped his way through the end zone while being pursued by his teammated.

"I don't know what I was thinking," Ogrin said about the celebration.

In reality, he wasn't. He was simply caught up in the moment.

"The Eastern Oregon (touchdown), it kind of surprised me because he's kind of that serious person on the field," Siddick said. "It was nice to see him lay back and celebrate like a kid.

"I told him, 'if you ever get to do that again, you have to bring the high step back.' "

Ogrin had a foot up or two, but had to rush off to perform his duties as the long snapper on the PAT.

Besides, he'd rather be the one causing a fumble than recovering one.

"It's a great feeling. To be honest, it's better when you get a sack or a big tackle," he said.

He's had plenty of those, and as a senior in the spotlight, he's now fulfilling his duties as a big brother.

Redshirt freshman Colten Schofield has been working his way into the defensive line clique since being moved to the position last season.

"It was tough because everyone's bigger, everyone's faster, everyone's got perfect technique," Schofield said. "I was a skinny little guy just trying to find my way onto the scout team.

"This spring I moved to defensive end. It was a whole new atmosphere, a whole new position I had to learn. Mike and Garrett have both been just awesome about any technique they see, if I have any questions they'll answer it."

The one piece of advice that Ogrin said he would tell young players: "Don't take anything too personally. Just keep on working hard and if you do all those things everything should work out pretty successfully."

Jeff Windmueller: 447-4065 or jeff.windmueller@helenair.com

Related

• Carroll College GAME DAY - Oct. 24, 2009