Ryan Plackemeier didn't fit the mold. He played specialized positions in one popular game and a more obscure sport in this country. The Fallbrook High senior kicked and punted for the football team and tended goal for the soccer team. His powerful leg made a noticeable difference for a string of successful runs through the playoffs and first-team All-CIF honors in both sports. His kicks connected with such impact, Plackemeier has been named the North County Times male athlete of the year. "All the credit goes to my teammates, especially Malik Legree who held every snap perfectly," Plackemeier said. "And with all sports, I just try to keep improving, and I tried to be well-rounded." Humility has always been one of Plackemeier's traits. He was also named Fallbrook's male athlete of the year by the school's faculty, but was quick to name off classmates who deserved the honor. It was the same response for the All-North County award. "I'm surprised at both," Plackemeier said. "There are a lot of great athletes in this school, and in the North County." Plackemeier's consistency and leadership with CIF Division I contenders made the difference. Both the football and soccer teams reached the semifinals. "It might be odd to have a kicker or goalkeeper as the player of the year since more often they come from (positions in) major sports, but he's a leader in what he does," football coach Dennis Houlihan said. "And he's contributed to many of our most successful teams. That was a major thing for us." While playing with a larger group in the team atmosphere, Plackemeier trained mostly on his own. Kickers and goalkeepers have specific skills they need to hone, so they have individual coaches. "I had to focus on my own and get it done," Plackemeier said. "It's hard to train by yourself. It's easier to do it with a team. There was a lot of mental training. You have to be ready when called on. You might see only one shot in a soccer game, but that might be where you have to save the game." Besides workouts after school and with a soccer club, Plackemeier attended kicking and goalkeeper camps. He even spent time on the weekends practicing away from the team. He averaged 43.9 yards a punt, converted 8 of 13 field goals ---- three were blocked ---- and had 35 touchbacks for the football team. His longest field goal was 47 yards, and he connected on 60-yarders in practice. Football wasn't even an option for Plackemeier until his sophomore year, but it turned into his way to a college scholarship. He'll punt and be the backup kicker for Wake Forrest next year. "I would have never thought football was going to be what I play in college," Plackemeier said. "I played soccer my whole life. I'll miss it since I'm going to be concentrating on football. I'll have to play it in intramurals." Plackemeier only joined the football team when one of the coaches noticed his leg in a physical education class, and convinced him to play. It started out as a fun activity with his friends. "We were fortunate to have him come out," Houlihan said. "He worked hard and he improved every year. He's not your typical kicker. He's an athlete having fun out there." At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Plackemeier resembles a linebacker more than a kicker. After he completed his kicking workout, he would fill in on the scout teams. He even made it into a few games at outside linebacker. "Everyone's very proud of what he's done," Houlihan said. "I'm getting ahead of myself, but he has the ability keep going with his kicking." However, all the years playing club soccer built the foundation for his kicking leg. That sport also started out as recreation, but coaches molded him into a goalkeeper because of his kicking ability. Plackemeier not only saved games with six shutouts this year, he worked on his foot skills and speed to become part of the attack plan. He roamed the back field, allowing defenders to move up. "Many players wouldn't put so much effort into soccer because football is such a big sport, but not Ryan," soccer coach Waad Hirmez said. "That's his nature. He'll be successful in whatever he does. I owe a lot of my success as a club coach and at Fallbrook to him."

6/11/02