Getting to Super Bowl has been a snap for Menifee's Orzech

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Matt Orzech paused on the other end of the phone call, pondering a question he had never been asked before this week:

How does it feel to be going to the Super Bowl after taking part in a last-minute, game-winning play -- not once, but twice in two weeks?

“It goes through phases, from complete elation about everything that is to come, to moments that seem completely normal,” Orzech said just about 24 hours after snapping the football on Matt Gay’s 30-yard field goal to put the Los Angeles Rams ahead for good, 20-17 over the rival San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, sending them into the Super Bowl Feb. 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“It feels like a narrative, something that was meant to happen.”

It certainly has been a rapid rise to the top for Orzech, who is still remembered in Menifee from his days as a Little Leaguer through his time on the Paloma Valley High School football team. It's been a rapid rise, but at the same time a study in determination.

A little over eight months ago, Orzech was waived by the Tennessee Titans. After starting all 16 games at long snapper for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019, he had spent the 2020 season on the practice squads of the Miami Dolphins and Titans. Before the start of the 2021 season, the Titans decided to let him go. But from that point, things happened quickly.

“Once I cleared waivers, the Rams came calling,” Orzech said. “It was a crazy 24 hours.”

Not nearly as crazy as the success story Orzech became a part of last fall. Working with holder Johnny Hekker and placekicker Gay on special teams, Orzech contributed mightily to a team that takes a 15-5 overall record into the incredible opportunity to play the Super Bowl in its home stadium.

“It comes down to confidence,” Orzech said. “You have to believe in yourself and all the preparation you put in. It’s about responsibility. I’ve learned a lot and grown a lot. I’m a husband [of wife Destiny], I’m a dad now [of 1-year-old Micah]. I know what responsibility means.”

The NFL playoffs have had their share of wild endings this season, and the Rams have certainly been a part of it. Orzech can take pride in the knowledge that, had he not done his job perfectly at the end of the team’s last two games, the Rams probably wouldn’t be where they are today.

Having secured the NFL West title and defeated the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs, the Rams on Jan. 23 had to travel to Tampa Bay to face Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. The Rams let a 27-3 lead get away and were locked in a 27-27 tie with 42 seconds remaining when they took over on their own 25-yard line.

“As the drive started to unfold, I could feel the self-confidence building, but your nerves go up a bit,” said Orzech, who was waiting on the sidelines, hoping for his big chance. “You have to disconnect from that. I just trusted the offense to get there and I waited for the opportunity. I sent a few snaps to Johnny on the sideline. Then I was ready to come into the situation.

“A game-deciding play --- it’s what you dream of as a kid.”

Orzech’s snap was perfect, Hekker’s hold was on target, and Gay drilled the 30-yard field goal as time expired.

Suddenly, Big Bad Brady and the Buccaneers were history, and the Rams were in the NFC championship game. What could they do for an encore?

As it turned out, pretty much the same thing. Falling behind the 49ers 17-7, the Rams fought back to tie the game with 6:49 remaining when Orzech, Hekker and Gay teamed up for a 40-yard field goal. Energized by the comeback, the Rams defense forced a three-and-out from the 49ers. Moments later, with 1:46 remaining, Gay’s 30-yard kick made the difference.

In the middle of a pile of bodies after the snap, did Orzech think the kick was good?

“You can tell by the sound how solid the kick was,” Orzech recalled. “That’s usually the first indication. Then I see the trajectory. I knew it was good.”

Orzech didn’t grow up a Rams fan – which isn’t unusual, considering the team was playing in St. Louis before returning to Los Angeles a few years ago. Orzech said that because of family ties to Chicago, he grew up a fan of the Chicago Bears and linebacker Brian Urlacher, as well as of the San Diego Chargers and Junior Seau.

He played football for the first time as a high school freshman and made the varsity team as a tight end and defensive lineman in his sophomore year. But he missed his junior season after suffering a serious concussion in a 7-on-7 tournament game.

The next year Orzech was back for his 2012 senior season, in which he played a valuable role as a long snapper. He went on to play at Azusa Pacific University and excelled in that role, earning his shot at the NFL.

“Every kid I’ve coached who made it to the big time, they’re all special kids,” said Bert Esposito, Orzech’s head coach at Paloma Valley. “They have a certain maturity and responsibility. They don’t waver from their goals. That’s Matt. He has his act together. He focused on what he wanted to do.

“It’s quite an accomplishment, the places he’s gone … God has his back. I’m just so happy for this kid.”

It’s no surprise that when the Rams take the field in two weeks to take on the Bengals, Orzech and his special team partners will be ready to be on target again.

“The kicker, holder and long snapper spend a lot of time together,” Orzech said. “We don’t have a lot of film to go over, so we have a lot of time to hang out. Having a tight-knit crew helps the overall enjoyment. We have a natural friendship and complete trust in each other.”

Orzech said he stays in touch with some of his coaches and former teammates from his days in Menifee and looks forward to becoming the first player from Menifee to play in a Super Bowl.

“I look forward to repping the 'Fee out there,” he said.

Photo credit: Los Angeles Rams