Roche leads Saints on championship hunt

Carroll College football coach Mike Van Diest once described quarterback Mac Roche as his “diamond in the rough.”

While other colleges looked elsewhere after Roche broke his foot during the first game of his senior season at Whitefish High School, Van Diest saw a future shining star.

Four years later, the 2011 Whitefish graduate is leading the Fighting Saints on yet another deep playoff run.

“Well, he’s not in the rough any more,” Van Diest chuckled on Monday.

The Saints are fresh off a 49-0 whopping of Valley City State University in the first round of the NAIA playoffs. Roche threw for 133 yards and one touchdown, and ran for another in the victory.

Roche was named starting quarterback at the beginning of the season and he hasn’t disappointed. The Saints are 10-1 with Roche taking snaps and are currently the No. 1 ranked team in the nation.

He spent one year as a redshirt freshman and two seasons behind starter Dakota Stonehouse — watching and learning — which is paying off big time in his junior season, Van Diest said.

“Mac never wavered,” he said. “He was patient. Where a lot of other kids would transfer, Mac stayed the course.”

Roche says he learned a lot in those three years and felt more than ready when he was given the nod this season.

“I felt really comfortable by the time I finally got my shot,” he said. “I’m pretty blessed to have the opportunity.”

He’s putting up impressive numbers this season — throwing for 2,655 yards and 27 touchdowns — but it’s his leadership and decision-making that impresses Van Diest most.

“His maturity is first and foremost,” Van Diest said. “He has great confidence in the team, and the team has great confidence in him.”

Roche’s voice as a leader in the locker room carries weight because of the years he put into the program.

“He’s paid his dues,” Van Diest said. “The other players see that all the labor and hard work pays off. They see how hard he works in the weight room.”

“You can’t be a quarterback without being a leader.”

In 11 games, Roche has only thrown four interceptions, a testament to his heady play.

“I like that he does make good decisions,” Van Diest said. “He protects the ball well and takes time to look off receivers. If he has to run, he’ll run, but he knows where his talent is.”

“He puts the ball where only our receivers can catch it.”

Roche says he’s simply not taking unnecessary risks.

“Turnovers are what loses games,” he said. “If we don’t give the ball away, that gives us the best opportunity to win.”

The Saints move on in the playoffs to face Southern Oregon this Saturday, the only team to beat Carroll this season.

Van Diest has confidence in his quarterback as the team goes deeper into the playoffs and the stakes grow higher.

“He’s been in a lot of pressure-packed games this year,” Van Diest said. “He knows what’s at stake. Each game, there’s more pressure, but he doesn’t lose his confidence.”

Roche says he’s comfortable with the expectations that come with quarterbacking a team with six national championship banners. Mostly because he’s put high expectations on himself.

“Playing at Carroll, we have some expectations we have to meet,” he said, “but we put in the work.”

Roche says he’s enjoyed his time on the Carroll campus, saying it offers a small town feel similar to Whitefish.

“I like that it’s a small school and a small community,” he said. “Most people around campus know each other.”

He is studying health and physical education with a minor in special education.

He doesn’t get back to Whitefish as often as he’d like with the commitment of football and school, but he’s looking forward to a long Christmas break to see friends and get on the ski hill.

Joining Roche on the Saints sideline is former Bulldog standout Daniel Simmons who plays at linebacker. Simmons has 30 tackles this season, including one sack and 2.5 tackles for a loss.

“We’re pretty lucky to have the Whitefish Bulldogs representing us,” Van Diest said.

Carroll College and No. 8 Southern Oregon face off in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Championship Series Saturday at noon at Nelson Stadium in Helena.