Football: What a drag: Dellinger embraces racing's thrills (08-31-06)
By Ryan Sonner (Daily Staff Writer)
WOODSTOCK — You almost get the feeling that Derek Dellinger could live without football.
He speaks in a hushed tone when discussing Central's upcoming season, rarely adding any emotion to the conversation.
When the subject switches to drag racing, Dellinger's eyes light up like the Fourth of July. He can't speak fast enough. His body language comes alive.
Dellinger enjoys nothing more than a relaxing weekend at the track, but to say he doesn't care about football would be wrong. Dellinger has given up his love for drag racing — sort of — and shifted his focus to the gridiron.
"It's very hard," he said of balancing the two pursuits. "Last year, I only made it to two games because of that."
Funny how things change when you're thrust into the most coveted position on the team.
"Football comes first when I'm starting," he said.
Dellinger will take over as the Falcons' starting quarterback, a position Kolter Stroop held the past two seasons. Dellinger could conceivably play anywhere on the field — offense or defense — but the Falcons benefit most with him under center.
At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Dellinger is built like a wide receiver or tight end, especially in Central's Wing-T offense. The possibility of Dellinger lining up wide still exists because coach Joe Livesay will never say never. But Dellinger will make a name for himself at quarterback.
"It's a coach's dream to have a player that can play any position on the field," Livesay said. "It's been a long time since Central has had a player like that."
It's been a long time since the Falcons have used a true quarterback, Livesay said. Central's previous two signal callers — Stroop and Brandon Foltz — were more effective with their feet than with their arms.
As more of a pocket passer, Dellinger reminds Livesay of one of the most decorated quarterbacks in area history.
"I've racked my brain," Livesay said. "But I don't think we've had a true quarterback here at Central that can do as much as Derek can do since Kenny."
Livesay was referring to Kenny Lambiotte, who starred at Central in the 1980s and played for the Philadelphia Eagles. There's little doubt Dellinger has the physical attributes to play the position. Livesay only worries about how he will respond when opposing linebackers are breathing down his neck.
Dellinger wears a no-contact jersey during practice, but that only prevents the defense from taking him to the ground; they're still allowed to hit and wrap up.
"Quarterback is the toughest position [to learn]," Livesay said. "And until you're back there, people don't understand. We won't know how good he will be until we see him under the rush."
Dellinger played mainly on defense last year and saw limited time on offense as a flanker. He didn't take a single snap from center. His lack of opportunity at quarterback, even in mop-up duty, could largely be attributed to his fondness for drag racing and the considerable number of Friday night games he skipped.
Dellinger fell in love with the exhilarating sport several years ago. His father, Robert, has raced dragsters since 1988 and made a name for himself at Sumerduck Dragway in Fauquier County.
"It's a thrill ride," he said. "It's better than a roller coaster."
Livesay knew Dellinger's racing would have to be put on hold if he were named the starting quarterback. No matter; Dellinger leads the race for the Junior Dragster championship by a wide margin. He could miss several races and still hold a comfortable lead.
And it was Dellinger's idea to put his passion for speed aside — at least for 10 weeks.
"That's the maturity in him," Livesay said. "He loves to race, but he understands what his role is going to be."
