Every football team wants that special kind of versatile player, one a coach can put practically anywhere on the football field.

This fall, Catasauqua will again have one in senior Dylan Pacheco.

Pacheco saw time as a wide receiver, running back and tight end on offense, and was a linebacker on defense last season. He caught eight balls for 85 yards and accounted for 126 all-purpose yards. He also helped return kickoffs.

On the other side of the ball, Pacheco recorded 68 tackles with a sack and an interception.

His numbers are staggering, but Pacheco’s overall versatility shadows his stats.

“Dylan helped us in a number of ways last year,” said Rough Riders head coach Travis Brett. “He’s a kid you always want on the field. We feel comfortable putting him wherever we need him.

“He also has developed into a very good linebacker.”

Pacheco, who has a passion for the game, has been impressed with the team’s spring ball workouts and is anxious to get it going.

“I thought we did really well,” he offered. “We have had the same offense and defensive schemes over the last three years, and we know it well. Last year’s freshmen looked good. Our younger guys have adjusted.”

Pacheco’s heightened interest has stemmed from the team’s loss to Executive Education in the district Class 2A title game last season. The Roughies dropped a 32-29 decision when Executive Education scored on a 62-yard touchdown pass in the final seconds.

The senior stated that if the team avoided their 0-3 start due to injuries, their outcome may have been different.

“We’re very anxious,” he beamed. “We want that gold medal. We started off slowly due to injuries. I thought if we didn’t have injuries, we could have won the title.”

Throughout his early career, Pacheco wasn’t a jack-of-all-trades. He started playing in second grade, and began to find his spot. His father, Jerry, has been a big influence in his career.

“I used to play a lot of tight end,” he said. “In eighth grade, I played running back, and I loved it. But it was just being out on the field. Once I started playing defense, it was really fun.”

Pacheco recalled a 110-pound game in which his team couldn’t convert a fourth down and lost the game to Northern Lehigh, which fueled some of the current rivalry between the two teams.

“I remember all of us balling our eyes out after we lost,” said Pacheco. “There are a good number of guys on this team now. Even then, we all knew what it took to win.”

Pacheco prides himself on his defensive play at linebacker, paired with Chad Beller and Hunter Reitz, who has been injured for the bulk of the past two seasons.

“I believe Chad Beller is one of the best linebackers in the league and the district,” said Pacheco. “We believe we can be one of the best units around. We’re hoping Hunter Reitz can stay healthy.”

Pacheco wants to play football next year in college and has been contacted by several colleges, having Ursinus and Albright among them. He plans to study computer science.

In the meantime, Pacheco will be enjoying himself by making himself available to any spot on the field.

“We’re ready to get going,” added Pacheco. “I can play anywhere except the offensive line. I just plan to go out there and have fun.”