Sochia began trend with brute strength

Brian Sochia was known in Brasher Falls for tackling a challenge head on, and thanks to his powerful, no-nonsense play, other St. Lawrence County kids have followed his path to the NFL.

"He was just one of the toughest kids that ever came through," said former longtime St. Lawrence Central football coach Jerry Mahoney, who coached Sochia.

Sochia became the first Section 10 player to play in the modern NFL when he competed in his first game for the Houston Oilers in 1983. He went on to an All-Pro career as a defensive lineman and played for three NFL teams during a 10-year professional career.

Sochia, 6-foot-3 and 252 pounds during his playing days, caught Mahoney's eye early in high school. He was a good-sized player, and his determination was unmatched.

"Out there on the field, the guy didn't back down for anything," Mahoney said.

One of Mahoney's coaches in high school was William "Buster" Mitchell, who had played college football at Northwestern Oklahoma State. Mitchell arranged for recruiters from the school to watch Sochia. The recruiters liked what they saw and gave Sochia a full scholarship. In 1999, Sochia was inducted into the college's Sports Hall of Fame.

Sochia joined the Oilers as a walk-on, but played 12 games for Houston in 1983 and all 16 games for the team in 1984 and 1985. Coaches liked his sheer strength and an unmatchable work ethic. But after a contract dispute during the 1986 season, Sochia was released by the Oilers.

The Dolphins acquired him, and Sochia enjoyed his best seasons, finishing as an All-Pro selection at defensive tackle in 1988 and 1989. Sochia accumulated 25 1/2 sacks during his pro career and 9 1/2 came during that two-year period.

In 1990, he recorded his lone touchdown, running in a fumble recovery. But he was suspended for five games for failing a drug test. By 1991, Sochia and the Dolphins were feuding over contract issues. The team released Sochia after three games only to have the Broncos sign him. Sochia finished out the season with Denver, then played a full season for the Broncos in 1992 before calling it quits after 128 total games.

Since Sochia's time in the NFL, former Section 10 standouts like Brian Leonard and Trevor Scott have made it to the pros and scouts now know where St. Lawrence County is. Sochia is back in the county, too, having returned to the area to live near his brothers and mother.

To read about previous selections to the Times' list of The North Country's Greatest 100 Athletes of All Time www.watertowndailytimes.com/section/100greatestathletes