ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Fox Sports Texarkana’s Bob Delgiorno and Henderson State University quarterback Richard Stammetti became friends at first glance.
Both rich in Italian heritage, Delgiorno and Stammetti met Tuesday prior to the Reddies’ football practice at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium.
After a lengthey conversation about football and mom’s lasagna, Texarkana’s No. 1 radio talk show host was ready to name the Reddies’ senior quarterback a future NFL star. The 6-2, 210-pound native of Las Vegas, Nev., just might get that opportunity based on Henderson’s and his success this fall.
The Reddies are currently 6-1 on the season, and tied with Harding University and Southern Arkansas University for second place in the Great American Conference. HSU still has games left with SAU, and bitter-rival Ouachita Baptist University, which is unbeaten, and leading the GAC.
Stammetti starts 2019 season on fire
Stammetti was recruited out of Mount San Antonio College two years ago. He got off to a spectacular start in 2019 with 357 passing yards and 4 touchdown passes in his first start against Oklahoma Baptist. The next he threw for 396 yards and 3 touchdowns in a win over Southern Nazarene. In seven games, He has passed for 1,753 yards and 16 touchdowns.
“Arkadelphia is a lot different from back home,” said Stammetti, who passed for 265 yards and 4 TDs last Saturday against East Central Oklahoma. “I love it here. My plan right now is to train and play football as long as I can. My best attributes are probably my accuracy, reading defenses, and standing in the pocket. I’m no running threat.”
The Reddies’ signal-caller compares his style to future Hall of Famer Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints. His favorite NFL quarterback is Peyton Manning, but he also favors the Patriots’ Tom Brady, because the two share the same birthday.
Stammetti shares his success with teammates
Henderson’s “Italian Stallion” shares his success this season with his teammates. His four touchdown passes Saturday went to four different receivers, which is not unusual.
Senior L’liott Curry caught a six-pointer against East Central, and leads the Reddies with 48 receptions for 658 yards and 8 TDs. Dallas junior Chase Lodree had a touchdown, and now has 28 catches for 480 yards. Junior College transfer Doug Johnson scored, giving him 20 catches with 203 yards. Red-shirt freshman Ayden Shurley of Cabot, Ark., caught the final TD pass.
“They all make my job so easy,” said Stammetti. “We’ve got an opportunity to do some great things this season. Our first goal is to win the GAC championship. It would be huge to beat Ouachita Baptist.”
He said the thing that will be remembered most when it comes time to move on from HSU, will be his teammates, the school’s band, and the “Reddie Walk.”