Naleppa leads Oakton to fast start
Oakton's defense has given opponents problems. So, too, has the Cougars' offense. And one player has a key role on both those units, helping Oakton get off to a fast start in the tough Concorde District.
Senior Taylor Naleppa has been playing varsity since his sophomore season and his play on the field has made him one of the team captains for Coach Joe Thompson's Cougars. He's become a valuable performer for both the offense and defense. There's a reason, Thompson says.
"He's very consistent, with a strong work ethic," he says. "He has a tremendous attention to detail."
Naleppa is 5-foot-10 and 226 pounds and plays iron-man football, lining up at middle linebacker on defense and fullback on offense. He can do this because of his strength and love for weightlifting. Naleppa squats 500 pounds and benches around 380 pounds. But, this senior isn't all brawn.
"He's smart and athletic with great balance and stamina," says Thompson, "He's in great shape. He could run all day long."
Until this season Naleppa was used primarily as a fullback. His coaches describe him as a tenacious runner who drags defenders down the field. Thompson says he has good quick feet and makes great cuts, but more importantly is a powerful blocker.
"Defenses have to key on him," says Thompson.
If defenses don't game-plan for Naleppa they're in for a headache. Entering Week Seven, he had already gained 416 yards on 55 carries with four rushing touchdowns. Naleppa got off to a fast start with 81 yards on only nine carries and running for a touchdown in the season opener against Madison.
The following week he averaged 10 yards per carry rushing for 90 yards against Herndon. Against Centreville he broke through with two touchdowns in a big rivalry game and finished with 70 yards on nine carries.
Naleppa's athletic ability made the defensive coaches take note. The Cougars' coaching staff figured they could use his strength and stamina and make him a two-way player, and this season he is their starting middle linebacker.
"He is a good linebacker," says Thompson, "He understands the blocking schemes because of his fullback play, he's a sure tackler. He's just got football savvy."
In his first six games Naleppa has impressive statistics on the defense. His job at middle linebacker is to stand firm and let some of the other playmakers on the Cougars post big numbers. The defense early on has been able to pressure the opposing quarterbacks and dominate most the teams in the Concorde District. In those first six games, Naleppa had 22 tackles, 10 assists, and a sack.
Naleppa's goals this season were to produce on the field on offense and defense. The main goal was to make the playoffs and challenge for the regional and district titles. The Cougars are on track to make a run for the playoffs starting 5-1 and looking impressive in all those contests.
Don't be surprised if you see Naleppa going from Friday night lights to big time Saturday college football.
"I can't really tell you who is looking at him," says Coach Thompson, "There have been a few from Division I and Division II. It's pretty exciting."
