St. Thomas Academy athletics director Reed Hornung was discussing the Cadets football team in front of the school one morning early in the school year when he noted that, via his play, Todd Rogalski had earned the nickname “Big Play Todd.”
“No one had ever called me that,” Rogalski noted this week.
Not to his face up to that point, anyway.
But it had been said — or, written.
Gerry Brown is the legendary Cadets football coach after whom the home stadium is named. He still consumes St. Thomas Academy game film and sends his observations to current head coach Travis Walch, who shares the notes with his staff.
Rogalski was a kick-blocking menace last fall, Walch noted. He blocked approximately nine kicks or punts. And as his impact plays continued to pile up, Brown started referring to Rogalski in his emails as “Big Play Todd.”
A legend was born.
Rogalski has lived up to it again this season. He leads the undefeated Cadets — who will meet Spring Lake Park in the Class 5A state semifinals at 2 p.m. Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium — in total tackles (70), tackles for loss (13, tied with Kristian Cercioglu), interceptions (three, tied with Matthew Wagner) and, yes, blocked kicks. He *only* has four of those this season, but Walch noted opponents have schemed up their protections specifically to block Rogalski.
The Cadets’ counter to that has been to sometimes have Rogalski return punts. He returned one for a score this season, and has also taken an interception and a kickoff to the house.
“I didn’t think he’d be as explosive as he was,” Walch said. “It started to flash in special teams. We had him on kick returns and you realize, ‘OK, he’s really tough to get down. He’s just wiry, strong, athletic, and he’s got vision.”
St. Thomas Academy’s Todd Rogalski (8) celebrates with his teammates after returning a punt 70 yards for a touchdown against Mahtomedi during the second half of the game at St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights, Wednesday, Oct. 15 2025. St. Thomas Academy won 35-7. (Craig Lassig / Special to the Pioneer Press)
The Cadets had to find more opportunities to get the ball in Rogalski’s hands, and that meant more offensive snaps. The two-way player has been a mythical being at St. Thomas Academy for years. But Walch couldn’t help but notice Chanhassen played numerous guys — including star running back Maxwell Woods — both ways in the fourth quarter of the Prep Bowl matchup between the two teams in 2023.
Since then, St. Thomas Academy has moved slowly in that direction. It started in small doses with Rogalski — a screen here, a handoff there. He was dangerous every time he touched the ball. Rogalski, who had previously pined for offensive reps, noted his opportunities were precious. So, he poured his all into every touch, and rarely went down on the first tackle attempt.
“I can’t explain it. I’ve watched football for a lot of years. He’s like bendable. He’s like one of those dolls that just bends on wires and stays on his feet,” Walch said. “I haven’t seen a lot of people like him that way.”
It went so well, St. Thomas Academy had no choice but to continue to expand the Rogalski playbook. His route tree expanded. And then he had to be out there for plays where he didn’t get the ball, too, so his presence on the field wouldn’t be a dead giveaway for what was to come.
“It started with, ‘Let’s find three to five ways to get him the ball a game,’ ” Walch said. “And now … he’s just part of our offense.”
Rogalski has six receiving touchdowns and is averaging seven yards per carry.
“It’s been really fun and awesome,” he said. “Obviously, I’m just trying to help my team in the best way possible and be the most effective player.”
That now includes being an impact player in all three phases of the game.
Rogalski may be the best kick blocker in the state. His dominance in that department started a year ago, when former Vikings special teams coordinator Marwan Maalouf, now an assistant coach with the Denver Broncos, served on the Cadets’ staff. Maalouf dialed up pressures for Rogalski, who continually delivered.
Rogalski simply sees the game at a high level and has outstanding body control; he has never accrued a roughing-the-kicker penalty. There are physical traits required for success in the kick-blocking craft.
But Walch coached special teams at the collegiate level for 13 years, and he has countless examples of guys who could reach the “block point” but couldn’t get their hands on the ball.
“It’s kind of a commitment thing. I’ve watched some of my teammates or other teams, and when they get close, they don’t fully extend all the way,” Rogalski said. “I’ve just gotten to the point where I know it doesn’t hurt (to get hit by it) and I know there’s bigger plays on defense that are going to hurt me more than that.”
And the payoff is so grand. When he watches film of his blocks, Rogalski immediately pans to the sidelines to see the team’s reaction.
“It’s worth putting your body on the line,” he said. “It’s a big momentum shifter.”
That fearlessness is part of what has made Rogalski the best player on the field in every game the Cadets have played this season, per Walch. That includes contests against players who will suit up at the Division I level next fall.
Rogalski has an offer to play for the University of St. Thomas next year, but he’s focused on finishing his senior season with the Cadets before making any decisions on that front.
Walch has told every one of his collegiate coaching colleagues about his star defensive back. Yes, Rogalski’s stature isn’t big — he’s listed at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds — but his plays sure are.
“There’s an amazing amount of confidence that he has; he’s just got a belief in himself. You try to impress on every kid in the program that, at some point, you have to give something of yourself – probably physically – for the benefit of the team. And he does it every play, every game,” Walch said. “You have to know where he’s at. … You never get a break from this kid, and he just continues to make plays. I don’t know how he does it.
“He does whatever he’s got to do to give of his body. He’s wiry and he’s small. But man, he plays heavy, and he plays big.”
Related Articles
High School Football: River Falls lives up to Day 1 promise with historic run to state semis
High School Hockey: Hill-Murray poised for another run following abrupt exit last season
High School Football: Thursday’s state semifinal predictions
High School Football: How Lakeville South’s deep connections spurred a deep playoff run
Park quarterback heading to Super Bowl as NFL award finalist
Leave a Reply