Stoczynski sacrifices for N.D. State

Personal gain was not going to come from the change made by Scott Stocyznski.

The 2007 Hoffman Estates High School graduate started all 14 games at defensive end last year as North Dakota State made its first Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearance. But this spring, the 6-foot-3, 255-pound Stoczynski was asked to play a different role after the departure of all-Missouri Valley Football Conference defensive tackle Matt Gratzek.

"The coaches asked me to make a change and take one for the team," Stoczynski said of playing primarily in passing situations. "To make a personal sacrifice and help the team that way."

Stoczynski hasn't started a game this year and, with fewer chances to stop the run, his tackle numbers are down from 47 to 15. But the 2006 Daily Herald All-Area pick still has 3½ tackles for losses and 1½ sacks for the 10-1 Bison.

"It's a different role but I'm happy with it," Stoczynski said of splitting 20 to 25 snaps a game between tackle and end. "As long as I get out on the field and help the team out and I'm contributing.

"It was a little different at first and kind of frustrating because I'm a perfectionist. It was definitely a learning experience and I realized it wasn't going to come right away and would take some work.

"All of my coaches keep saying they really appreciate the change I've made and the sacrifice I've made for the team. That made me feel good."

So does winning something Stoczynski experienced only two times in three varsity seasons at Hoffman. He joined a North Dakota State program in the early stages of its transition from a Division II power to I-AA (now FCS).

Now he's hoping to be part of a national champion after last year's quarterfinal run.

"Coming to a program that was already a proven winner was a big change," said Stoczynski, who will graduate in two weeks and hopes to join the North Dakota State Patrol. "It's been nothing but a blessing to be part of such a great program with a great tradition."