COUNCIL BLUFFS — Jake Gentile won't have to worry about his college decision during his final year at Council Bluffs St. Albert.

The senior running back pledged Wednesday to play football at South Dakota State, starting in the fall of 2011.

Although other schools such as Northern Iowa, Nebraska and Iowa State expressed interest, Gentile said the positive atmosphere and the chance to play against some big-name competition immediately factored into his decision.

“They offered the day before our Nishnabotna game (in substate baseball), and they gave me two weeks to think about it,” Gentile said. “But I knew right away that was where I wanted to go.

“Having the chance to play big schools like Nebraska and Illinois over the next couple years, I knew that was something I couldn't pass up.”

South Dakota State is a member of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, known as Division I-AA from 1978 through 2005.

Gentile won't be the first person from his family to attend the school. Jake's cousin, Brock, was a defensive back for the Jackrabbits from 2004 to '07 after being a two-time state honoree at St. Albert.

Jake Gentile played a big role in St. Albert's journey to the Class 1-A state football title last fall as a junior.

He led the Falcons with 961 yards rushing and added 193 more receiving while accounting for 16 touchdowns.

While he'll again be the feature back this fall, he'll also concentrate heavily on defense. Gentile said he probably would play safety on defense in college and also will attempt to return kickoffs and punts.

He made a defensive impact last year, racking up 36 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

“I started playing safety more during junior year,” the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Gentile said. “I knew that was probably what I was going to do in college, because now colleges are looking for 220-pound running backs and I'm more of a speed guy, so I knew I should probably look at another position.”

Coach Kevin Culjat, who guided the Falcons to a 14-0 record in his first season, said the decision was a good one.

“It just seemed like a real good fit for him,” Culjat said. “I know when he and his father went up there and visited, they really liked the place.

“He came back and told me, ‘Coach, that's the place I really want to go.' I know he was really hoping they would offer. He got what he wanted, and he took it. And I think that's wonderful.”

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