Decathlete Reid Pakkebier brings that versatility to the football field at Central

Reid Pakkebier is an athletic jack of all trades.

He has demonstrated his diverse skills as an NCAA Division III Championships qualifier in the decathlon, a sport where competitors perform 10 various events that range from throws to sprints and long-distance races. Decathletes are regularly considered some of the best all-around athletes.

Central College’s football program has also reaped the benefits from the 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker’s quickness, size and strength at the center of its defense.

“We recognized his athleticism and size,” Central Coach Jeff McMartin said. “You don’t find a lot of guys with his frame and everything that can run as well as he can run. We try to take advantage of that, playing to those strengths of his.

“We put him in the middle and let him get sideline to sideline with people and cover. It fits him well. It definitely helped our defense.”

Pakkebier opened his sophomore campaign with a career-best performance in a 44-13 victory last week over St. Olaf (Minn.) College. The former Cedar Rapids Kennedy prep tallied 17 tackles, including seven solo and three for a loss, a sack and an interception, earning American Rivers Conference Male Athlete of the Week honors and a spot on the D3Football.com Team of the Week.

“As a team and individually, we still have a lot of things to work on but it was a good start,” Pakkebier said. “I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was happy with how I did.”

Pakkebier entered the season with modest expectations. The goal was to secure a spot in the lineup, vying against almost 25 other linebackers on the roster.

“My goal was just to get a starting position,” Pakkebier said. “I knew it was going to be tough. We have a lot of good depth and good linebackers. Just fight for that and get on the field as much as I could.”

Pakkebier saw action in all 13 games as a freshman. He had almost 30 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, as an outside backer. The experience helped prepare him and calm his nerves for the opener, even if the season came with a switch to the inside (Mike linebacker).

Agility and a nose for the ball helped Pakkebier thrive, posting the most productive game of his football career.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been close to that,” Pakkebier said about his 17 tackles. “Maybe in high school I had 10 or 12 in a game, but that was probably it. Our defensive line and outside linebackers did a good job of pinching the ball toward me. I was able to get to the ball pretty quick.”

Central’s defensive scheme is to funnel the ball to the middle linebacker, according to McMartin. The expectation is for him to be very active and to know each player’s role to be in the right place, especially for run plays. Then, he has to finish off the stop.

“There’s a lot on the plate of our middle linebacker, physically and mentally,” McMartin said. “We got through Week 1 in good shape with him. Now, it is about continuing to learn and grow.

“He has to do a lot of different things and he has to do them well. Kind of like being a decathlete.”

Pakkebier said he likes the responsibility and being able to contribute in all areas of the game.

“I’m better at certain things than others,” Pakkebier said. “It’s nice to know that the coaches trust me to do whatever.”

The biggest impact in football came from his dad, Curt, who also played football for Central. Curt, Kennedy’s head boys’ track coach, introduced his son to football, serving as his coach in the Metro Youth Football Association (MYFA) through middle school. He also coached him in track at Kennedy.

“He’s pushed me my whole life to get better,” Pakkebier said. “He helped me keep on top of myself, so I never missed a workout. It’s nice to have him, being able to push me. I was always around for sports, too.”

The two have a strong bond forged in their mutual love for sports, attending games or watching them together. They also have the same desire to win, which makes head-to-head water basketball games or golf rounds a battle for bragging rights. The younger Pakkebier claims to have the upper hand in football and track.

“We like to give each other crap about being better,” Pakkebier said. “We’re really competitive. We turn pretty much anything into a competition, more or less.”

Every week will present a new challenge. Pakkebier said he plans to learn after each game, fixing any mistake. He is focused on studying each assignment to help his team. McMartin said Pakkebier is moving in the right direction for more big things.

“We want to see him continue to improve,” McMartin said. “If he does those things, sky’s the limit for him. He could really have a special career, a special season here as our middle linebacker.”

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com