Three Dutch football players presented with All-America accolades

PELLA-The Associated Press released its All-America teams for Division III football Thursday and a trio of Central College football players were included.

Senior long snapper Josh Dennison (Romeoville, Ill.) was chosen for the first team. Linebacker Reid Pakkebier (senior, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) and corner back Gavin Smith (junior, Audubon) claimed second team honors.

It’s the first year the AP All-America team has included a long snapper on its award list. Dennison snapped on all 35 punt attempts this year and helped limit opponents to 13 return yards on six attempts, making one tackle. The Dutch haven’t had a punt blocked in all four of his seasons of long snapping

Pakkebier led the team with 13.5 tackles for loss from his outside linebacker position, including 5.5 sacks. He also had an interception, three breakups, a forced fumble, and six quarterback hurries while totaling 53 tackles.

Smith had a trio of interceptions, including a 35-yard interception touchdown return. He had a team-high 11 pass break-ups while making 27 tackles.

The Dutch finished 8-2 on the season and their 6-2 mark in the American Rivers Conference was good for third place.