PREPS: A Q&A with Calvin Christian football player David Stout

By JOHN MAFFEI - Staff Writer | Tuesday, October 7, 2008 2:32 AM PDT ∞

David Stout isn't one of the big-name North County Conference quarterbacks. He doesn't have Colorado, Arizona State or San Diego State knocking down his door, but at 6-foot-6, he's the prototypical college quarterback. The basketball player turned football player has led Calvin Christian ---- a second-year football program ---- to a 4-0 record after the team went 3-4 last year. Through four games, he has completed 54-of-80 passes (67.5 percent) for 875 yards. He has 10 touchdown passes and has thrown just one interception.

Q: Are you a football player who plays basketball or a basketball player who plays football?

A: I now consider myself a dual-sport athlete.

Q: Was there any doubt you'd play football when the program started last year?

A: I've loved football all my life, so there was never a doubt I'd play.

Q: Had you ever played organized football?

A: Never. My exposure to football was playing with friends or at recess as a kid in school.

Q: How long did it take to pick up the game?

A: I consider myself an athlete, so the physical part wasn't too hard. Mentally, though, there was a big learning curve. I watch a lot of football ---- NFL and college ---- so I have general football knowledge. I know you don't run on fourth-and-20. I know a good offensive line is essential to a team's success.

Q: What was the first season like?

A: It was a very enjoyable experience. It was a new feeling. I had no idea what it would be like, but I had a good time and fell in love with the sport.

Q: What has it been like so far this season?

A: We're unbeaten and we're incredibly improved. Last year, there was a lot of good and bad. This year, you can tell the experience has helped us. Everything is better. We're tackling better, blocking better, catching the ball better, and I'm throwing the ball better. 

Q: What are the expectations for this season?

A: We're a Division V team and our toughest games ---- Julian and Foothills Christian ---- come at the end of the season. We're hoping to win eight or nine games, get a sixth or seventh seed in the playoffs and see what happens. Maybe we can pull an upset or two in the playoffs.

Q: Have the rest of the players on the team bought in as much as you have?

A: We have a really good core of players. But we have eight or nine guys going both ways. So injuries ---- or staying away from injuries ---- is a big thing.   

Q: You're a good enough athlete to play at any of the public schools. What is it about Calvin Christian that drew you there?

A: I would have gone to Escondido High, but there was never a doubt I was coming to Calvin. My dad is an administrator and athletic director here. I figured I'd come here and play basketball. The only thing that has changed is I'm playing football, too. I really enjoy it here. This school is like family. It's a really close-knit group.

Q: How is basketball season shaping up?

A: It's hard to say. We lost three starters, and that's a big hit. But we gain a couple of good sophomores and get an injured player back. We worked hard over the summer, so I'm looking for a good season.

Q: You stay busy in the spring, too.

A: I was a track guy as a sophomore (with best marks of 43-0 in the shot put, 129-0 in the discus and 5-10 in the high jump, winning the league championship and advancing to the CIF meet). But I had a strained ligament in my ankle last season. It was pretty painful, so I decided to play golf instead. And that was a blast. But I'll go back to track this season.

Q: What's the best thing about being 6-foot-6?

A: In most sports, height is an advantage. And it's especially helpful in football and basketball. You can't coach height. You're either tall or you're not. In football, it certainly helps me see over the offensive line.

Q: What's the worst thing about being tall?

A: In football, it makes me a big target. Off the field, the worst thing is finding clothes that fit. It seems like clothes are tailored for people 6 inches shorter. I'm 6-6, 210 pounds, so I have the waist of a guy 5-10. It's hard to get pants that fit in the waist that don't stop at my ankles.

Q: You're so busy ---- how do you keep weight on?

A: I eat a bunch. I lost 10 pounds during two-a-days, but I eat and lift hard.

Q: What do you eat in a typical day?

A: I'll have cereal, pancakes or eggs for breakfast and a breakfast burrito on our break. Lunch is usually a sandwich or two, a burrito, chips with some fruit mixed in there, too. I'll have a snack before practice. A good dinner would be three backyard burgers, veggies and a salad. I'm big into meat and protein.

Q: As a three-sport guy, when do you find time for school work?

A: I fit everything into a routine. It's tough on nights when you have three tests the next day, but I'll get home from practice, shower, eat dinner and do my homework. There isn't a lot of TV or computer time.

Q: What are your college plans?

A: I'm undecided, but I want to play something in college. Coaches haven't been coming to me. I don't play at Escondido, Oceanside or Mission Hills. I'd like to get away for college, and football might be my No. 1 sport now. Because I'm inexperienced in the sport, I've thought about junior college.

David Stout

School: Calvin Christian

Sports: Football, basketball, golf, track

Positions: Quarterback/free safety (football), forward (basketball), jumps and throws (track)

Born: Sept. 16, 1990 in Escondido

Year: Senior

Accomplishments: All-league in football and basketball. League champion and CIF San Diego Section qualifier in high jump as sophomore.

Quick hits

People say I look like: My dad

I can't stop eating: Home-grilled burgers

Favorite athlete: Tony Romo

Favorite team: Chargers

Favorite video game: Madden NFL

Person you'd most like to have dinner with: Michael Jordan

Favorite sport: Football, but not much over basketball

Favorite ballpark food: Nachos

Favorite candy: Sweet Tarts

Worst candy: Almond Joy

Number of text messages you send in a day: 15

Our locker room smells like: Nasty boys body odor

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