Thursday's Varsity page includes a Q&A with Perry Hall football player Dave Stinebaugh, who has committed to play tight end at Maryland next season after also considering Syracuse, UConn and Rutgers. Stinebaugh is one of the most versatile players around, regularly playing tight end, wide receiver, defensive back, defensive end, linebacker and punter for the Gators.

Here are more of his thoughts on football:

When did football become your main sport?

Once I started to get into the older age groups in rec. [leagues], it kind of became the main focus, that and lacrosse. Once I got to high school, I became a tight end. I played line all throughout rec. [football], so freshman year I got real serious.

What other sports have you played?

I’ve played baseball, lacrosse, football and basketball. I’ve played basketball, football and lacrosse all three in a year for probably eight years. I played lacrosse last year [at Perry Hall]. I didn’t play basketball.

During a single game do you play a bunch of positions on each side of the ball?

This year I haven’t moved around as much, but I will move around depending on what game it is and where I’m needed. Some games, I play safety, linebacker, corner all in the same game. Offense-wise, I play tight end, wide receiver. I’ve played a little bit of quarterback this year. I also punt.

How did the punting come about?

I’ve always had a strong leg. When I got to high school and over the last couple of years, it kind of progressed and I got the form down a lot better and got better at it.

How do you think you developed that kind of versatility?

I guess playing the variety of sports I played helped out a lot. Just being real versatile and when you play that many sports and that many years around, I guess it kind of helps out. Over a while, it just kind of blurs into one big sport.

When did football coaches start making use of your versatility?

Freshman year, I started on JV and they were only going to put me at tight end, but then we were doing some drills and I played linebacker and I ended up starting there. Halfway through [the season], I went up to varsity and I used to do kickoffs and extra points then too, so I went up there to help kick because they needed a kicker. I played free safety up there too. I guess as time went on, I was one of those players you could move around.

Do you think your versatility helped during the recruiting process?

Yeah. It’s good if you can play one position, but if you can play two or three or four and you get [to college] and they have your position filled or they need help at H-back, which is [similar to] a tight end, you can play that position. You can play tight end and slot receiver at the same time. They can move you where you need to be in the offense, depending on the week or the personnel you’re playing. It’s just a big help being able to move around.

What was the highlight of last year's 10-2 season at Perry Hall?

It was a good year. A lot of my good buddies were seniors and they just graduated last year. There’s a lot of good memories. Probably the big ones from football were the Franklin game where I threw the game-winning touchdown pass and the first playoff game against North Carroll when I caught the game-winning touchdown.

What are the team goals for this season?

We graduated like 19 people. We’ve got a lot of young guys. They have talent. They just haven’t had the experience yet. We’re progressing. We’re getting better each week. We still have the goal of going out there and winning the county championship and winning the regional championship, which is definitely accomplishable. I don’t think really anything has changed, just a lot of new faces and a lot of young guys who have to step up and help out.

How does it feel to finally be a senior?

It’s big because being up on the varsity level, playing with all the seniors you see what they passed down to the other players and the school. Seeing how they took it, just seeing how they accepted it and had fun with it. Senior year is supposed to be the most memorable year of high school and when you look back in 30 years, you’re going to remember your senior year. Knowing that I’m a senior, this is the last football game I’ll ever play in high school. I want to end it right.

How about leadership? Do you have to take a bigger role in being a team leader this year?

Yeah. I’ve been a leader. Last year, I was one of the leaders, but this year, there’s more on my shoulders considering I’m the one who’s been here the longest and I know what goes on. I know what happens in games. If things get tough or something happens, the guys are probably going to look to me, and I just can’t show anything. I’ve got to be the one who says, "This is what we do. We’ve just got to step it up."

-- Katherine Dunn