By John Raffel
Chase Rollin remains a dangerous football player as a running back, linebacker, and safety for a Beal City team that is hoping to make noise again at playoff time.
Rollin is in his senior season. A memorable moment for him as a junior was a 95-yard touchdown return in the Superior Dome in Marquette in a 10-7 loss to Munising in the Division 8 state semifinal round. He had previously gained 160 yards in a regional title playoff victory over Baldwin.
This marks Rollin’s third year on varsity. He’s been a two-way starter the past two seasons and earned all-state special honors last year.
“He’s so explosive,” first-year coach Brad Gross said. “He basically won a game for us on a 99-yard kickoff return at Clare. Basically, teams can’t kick it to him.”
That was noticeable in a win over Pine River when the visiting team always made onside kicks, which gve the Aggies the ball at midfield. Pine River coach Terry Martin said afterward that it was a safer strategy than kicking off to Rollin.
Gross has seen plenty of dangerous runners in his coaching and playing days, but he admits that Rollin is rather special. “Chase has really good vision, and he sets up blockers really well, “ he said. “Athletically, he’s very fast and quick. That separates him from everyone else, his vision and knowing when to make a cut. When he does cut, he goes downfield and makes positive yardage rather than going side to side.”
Gross added that when opponents try to key on Gross, he’s able to use other weapons. “We try to get him in space. That’s where Chase is best, in space,” Gross said. “He catches the ball and runs. Any way we can get him the football, we try to do it.”
Defensively, Rollin has also been impressive. “When you watch Chase on defense, when he comes to hit you, it’s full speed,” Gross said. “If you don’t see him coming, he goes full-bore and he goes to light you up. And he’s pretty physical for only being 180 pounds. Chase is a senior and has that will to win and that drive to be the best he can be. We have lots of guys like that. It makes a big difference to have a leader like that on both sides of the ball.”