Naples, Lions ready for Christopher Newport’s air-raid offense
Dan Naples brings more than just an intimidating physical presence to the football field.
The College of New Jersey senior defensive lineman brings a work ethic that is both contagious and focused.
“My mentality is a pack your lunch kind of mentality,” said Naples, who is one of the Lions’ captains. “Because everyday I am coming to work and getting after it until its time to step off the field.”
Naples and the Lions (0-2, 0-1 NJAC) welcome No. 24 Christopher Newport (3-0, 2-0 NJAC) to Lions Stadium for a noon kickoff in the 2016 home opener.
CNU is the second ranked team the Lions have faced in the first three games of the season. They opened with No. 2 WisconsinWhitewater.
One of the bright spots for The College of New Jersey has been the defense. Troy Domenick has 18 tackles, Max Busca has 17, Erik Wehner has 15 stops and Naples chimes in with 12.
Despite the play of the defense, the Lions haven’t been able to crack the win column, and being a senior, Naples would like to get this turned around as soon as possible.
“I have always taken losses pretty hard,” said Naples. “I would say each loss does motivate me a little more now that I am a senior knowing I do not have many games left in my career.” Naples has enjoyed his time in Ewing. “The school and TCNJ football has become a family to me,” Naples said. “This team and my brothers on it mean everything to me.”
Christopher Newport and quarterback K.J. Kearney love to put the ball in the air. The Captains are averaging 308.7 yards passing a game.
Kearney was named the NJAC Offensive Player of the Week for the second straight week. The school record he set on Sept. 10 with 355 yards passing against HampdenSydney, he broke last week against No. 17 Wesley with 400 yards passing in a single game.
Naples, however, feels the passing attack isn’t something that should only alter his style a bit.
“It just means that I cannot get surprised when they decided to come down on me with a double team for a run,” said Naples. “Our defensive line coach prepares us very well and gives us an idea of what’s going to happen.”
As one of the Lions’ leaders, Naples has been working hard to make sure good things start to happen this season.
“We just need to keep working,” Naples said. “At every practice each player is told to pick something that they did not do well and focus on it, while keeping every aspect of their job on the field in mind.” Road Woes: No Average Joe: