York’s Jeff Coglianese loves playing linebacker so much that he will use any means necessary to learn more about his craft.
That includes watching YouTube videos of star linebackers like the 49ers’ Fred Warner and the Bears’ Roquan Smith.
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“I like playing that position because I’ve played it ever since (youth football),” Coglianese said. “I’ve learned a lot how to play it more effectively, so I’ve stuck with it, tried to get better every day.”
But study habits alone can’t explain how the 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior, the middle linebacker in York’s 3-3-5 defense, can fit through tight spaces to get to the quarterback while also being strong enough to tackle in the open field.
For that you can credit gymnastics.
“I did it for three or four years, starting in first grade,” Coglianese said. “I gave it up when I started playing multiple sports because that one took up a lot of time and I wanted to do more.”
He started playing football, baseball and hockey and added lacrosse during his freshman year. But he hasn’t lost his gymnastics skills.
“He’s done some crazy stuff,” York coach Mike Fitzgerald said. “I’ve had him in PE, and his core strength — there was one time he was on a training ball for the pommel horse, and he was going around in circles. I couldn’t believe what he was doing.”
Coglianese believes his gymnastics background has helped him become a better football player.
“Yeah, I think it definitely did, especially starting that young,” he said. “I got a lot of strength on my body when I was young, and it stayed on and got better.”
Coglianese has gotten better with each passing year, and so have the Dukes, who won their first five games for the first time since 2010 en route to their first playoff appearance since 2011. Through those five games, he led the team with 36 tackles, including 10 for loss, and 4.5 sacks.
“He’s outstanding,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s got a nose for the football, and he’s very tough to block.
“He’s extremely strong with his agility and the way he gets off blocks. His speed is unbelievable with the way he closes on the football. He sees a gap, he doesn’t hesitate and he goes and gets the football.”
Fitzgerald, who is in his fourth season, and this senior class came in together and are rebuilding the program. Coglianese is the perfect leader, Fitzgerald said.
“He’s an extremely competitive kid, one of the hardest practice players I’ve ever coached,” Fitzgerald said. “Sometimes we’ve got to hold him back a little because we’re like, ‘Calm down, we need you healthy on Friday.’
“But that’s just how he is. He always has full energy, and he wants to compete in everything we’re doing.”
Coglianese doesn’t have the prototypical height of a Division I linebacker, but Fitzgerald said he would excel at the next level.
“The height will be an issue for some of the bigger schools,” Fitzgerald said. “But I think when you want his tape, some major is going to get really lucky if they get a kid like him.”
Coglianese said he would love to play in college, but he’s not looking that far ahead.
“I’ve been more focused so far just on this year and trying to get this team as far as we can,” he said. “This playoff run would be a huge one for York. It’s been 10 years, and everyone is super pumped.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.