It’s been said that the ability to be a good long snapper on the football field can go a long way in ensuring playing time.

 

Bridgeport High School senior Josh Wojciehowicz has turned the ability to excel as a specialist on special teams into the opportunity to play at the next level as he signed his national letter of intent on Wednesday to attend The Colorado School of Mines.

 

Wojciehowicz will major in Mechanical Engineering at Colorado School of Mines, a Division II school in Golden, Colo. about 30 miles outside of Denver. He and his family plan to move to Colorado when the senior school year at Bridgeport has been completed.

 

“I’ve always been into engineering,” Wojciechowicz said. “Since eighth grade my Dad has been flying out to Denver. I heard of this college and it’s one of the best in the nation for engineering. For me personally, it’s always been more about education and less about sports.

 

“I’m going to go out there and try to help the team the best way I can. If it’s the first year just being the back-up snapper helping Chris Clore who is their starting snapper, who will go into his senior year, just get better that’s the role I will take. But if I have the opportunity I will try to take that position.”

 

Of course, Wojciehowicz was more than just a long snapper for the Class AA state champion Indians in 2019. He was pivotal for the team’s offense as a primary blocking tight end although he did catch one touchdown pass. He was also a standout on the other side of the ball along the defensive line.

 

He had 40 tackles, including five for a loss with one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries in his senior season. One of the fumble recoveries was returned for a touchdown.

 

“They are getting a really good football player,” Bridgeport coach John Cole said. “It’s a really good school academically. For Josh to get the chance to go out there and pursue what he wants to pursue academically and play football, it’s great for him and his family It’s a great opportunity for him in a beautiful part of the country.

 

“He’s wanting to be a long snapper and he’s obviously good at that. But with his size and the type of year he had this year he might have the chance to play other positions. He was a great blocker on offense, a hard-nosed player on defense that really came on strong in his senior season."

 

Wojciehowicz broke his left fibula close to his ankle with one second left in the Indians’ 21-14 state title game victory  against Bluefield. It was an injury that cost him his senior season on the wrestling mat — another sport he has had success in at the prep level. But everything is right on schedule to where the injury won't effect his football future in Colorado.

 

“I was keeping in touch with the coaches, giving them updates, letting them know that although I did break my ankle, it’s still coming along,” Wojciehowicz said. “I’ve been out of the book for a week and this morning I walked in by myself. I will be able to start running in a week or two. It’s progressing really well. I should be able by the summer to be able to do workouts and programs with the team.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is of Josh Wojciehowicz as he is joined at his letter of intent signing by his father, Jason Wojciehowicz (left), his mother Michelle Wojciehowicz (immediate right) and sister Ashley Wojciehowicz (far right). Bottom two action photos courtesy of www.benqueenphotography.com