Connor Delashmitt has set a high bar for himself on the gridiron.
Silverdale Baptist Academy's returning all-state running back wants to win a Mr. Football award and earn a full-ride scholarship to play college football.
Delashmitt, a powerful and explosive 6-foot, 190-pound athlete, wasted no time putting on a show in last Friday's 42-6 season opening victory over Webb School of Bell Buckle. In the first quarter he made jaws drop as he showed outstanding determination in making six defenders miss in taking a sweep to the right for a 65-yard scoring run.
Finishing with three touchdowns and 236 yards on 15 carries, the Seahawks' dynamic runner earned Times Free Press Player of the Week honors for that week one effort.
"My biggest weapons are my vision and being able to run hard," Delashmitt said. "Our line looked really good the other night and having Brett Rogers at quarterback and athletes all over at receiver really opened me up to do what I love. I am really driven to help this team have a successful season."
Silverdale's fourth year starting running back - who totaled 1,858 all-purpose yards in an all-state junior season - looks to be in his best headspace yet.
Second-year head coach Mike Connor saw a new focus from Delashmitt in training camp which carried over into the season opener which was played on a turf field at Ringgold High School due to heavy rainfall earlier in the week.
Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Silverdale's Turner Junkins (2) hands the ball off to Connor Delashmitt (29) agianst Grace at Silverdale Baptist Academy on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020 in Chattanooga, Tenn."Connor has put a lot of pressure on himself in the past to excel," Coach Connor said. "A few weeks ago he really got his mind right in terms of focus and his priorities. He played free Friday night without the pressure of performance.
"For our players it's about who God has made you to be. You can be free in that and play lights out and enjoy every moment. There have been times in the past where I have watched Connor and he hasn't enjoyed the game because he was stressing too much about performing. If he can play free like he did the other night, amazing things will come."
Delashmitt is excited about the Seahawks' offense after Rogers, the junior quarterback, ran for two scores and threw for 75 yards and a score to Turner Junkins against Webb. There is the potential for plenty of offensive fireworks with impact athletes Cameron Bowen, Cam Mullins, Bryson Qualls and Clay Connor at receiver and stout blocking from juniors Kyle Shoemaker and Sam Tedford.
"I think we can be really dangerous," Delashmitt said. "Our coaches really motivate me along with my mom and dad who I want to make proud."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.
Photo by Cade Deakin/ Silverdale's Connor Delashmitt (29) runs the ball. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish visited the Silverdale Seahawks in TSSAA football action on September 6, 2019.