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AOTW: Clarkston’s Dellinger commits to Kent State

Dan Stickradt | August 24, 2011 | Comments (3)

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

CLARKSTON — Clarkston’s football season last year was interrupted by countless injuries. In fact, most of the Wolves’ starters and top reserves spent time on the disabled list due to the rash of injuries.

Matt Dellinger was one of the few Wolves who did not hit the injured reserve list. He was busy carrying the load while playing multiple positions, anywhere from linebacker to slot receiver and even some safety.

The two-sport athlete, who also plays guard on the Wolves’ basketball team, took a big load off his shoulders last month when he committed to Division I Kent State University of the Mid-American Conference.

“It’s nice to get it out of the way,” admitted Dellinger, who checks in about 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. “Now I can concentrate on getting ready for my senior year.”

MULTI-TASKER: Clarkston senior Matt Dellinger plays multiple positions for the Wolves and his versatility led him to a committment to Division I Kent State University over the summer. File Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com

Last season Dellinger earned All-OAA Red Division and All-Area Honorable Mention status as a linebacker. He finished the season with over 70 tackles and also had 370 receiving yards as a slot receiver.

Clarkston finished the season with a 7-3 record following a loss to Lake Orion in the regular season finale and a defeat to Grand Blanc in a Division 1 pre-district. The Wolves return over half of their starters and is expected to be a top 10 team in the state this season if they can remain healthy.

“I was one of the few guys that didn’t get hurt last year,” said Dellinger, who carries a 3.3 GPA and posted an impressive 24 on his ACT. “It seemed like we always had guys out. Every week, we were missing guys. I think if we can stay healthy this year, then we have a chance to be real good.”

Two years ago, Dellinger came off the bench for a team that reached the Division 1 state semifinals — the third time in school history that Clarkston has advanced that far in the postseason.

Dellinger spoke with numerous schools, mainly in the Midwest, and felt right at home at Kent State.

“I talked to virtually all of the MAC Schools and I had some letters from some Big Ten and some ACC Schools,” said Dellinger, who will also be a four-year varsity veteran in basketball. “But I really felt that I fit in down at Kent State. I really liked the campus and the coaching staff. I felt at home.”

Dellinger’s long term goal is to one day be a Navy Seal. Although that mission is still a few years away, he hopes to be on another mission in 2011 — lead Clarkston football to a league championship and a long run in the postseason.

“I’ve thought about being a Navy Seal for quite some time. What a challenge that would be?” offered Dellinger. “But now I just want to help Clarkston go a long ways. We should be very good in football and basketball this year. We have a lot of guys back in football, a few guys who are being recruited. I know guys like Zach Collins, Joey Goss and Mike Schwartz are being looked at by some schools. We have a very good senior class. I think we could have a team that could (make a run).”

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Tags: 2011 Prep Football Preview, Athlete of the Week, high school football, Matt Dellinger, prep football