Small School, Big Wins
Class 1A Wes-Del High School is one of the smallest schools in Delaware County, yet it enjoyed a winning football season during the fall of 2025. Aided by the determination an dedication of senior Brock Nauman, the team achieved six wins.
While breaking personal as well as school records in all-time total rushing yards, tackles and touchdowns, Nauman helped end a losing-season streak of several years.
“During my eighth-grade year, the high school football team did not have any wins,” Nauman says. “That year its record was 0-8. So, it was very fun my freshman year when we pulled off the first win in a long time during the homecoming game. It was a special moment; my coach was holding back tears. After that year, we were able to put together much better seasons. This year, my senior year, we had a winning season.”
Nauman’s football career began when he played flag football as a second grader while participating in the Metro Football League. Throughout his elementary school years, he enjoyed attending camps, which were often staffed with high school players. He started playing competitive football in sixth grade.
“I’ve always played the position of linebacker,” Nauman says. “When I got to the high school, there weren’t enough players for a junior varsity team, so I’ve been on varsity all four years. I also played running back.”
Two-way players are common on high school teams. As with many small schools, the roster size at Wes-Del required Nauman to play both an offensive and a defensive position. His hard work and hustle allowed him to be successful as both a running back and a linebacker. This year, Nauman earned a ranking on MaxPreps, a website that covers high school sports. In Indiana, he was listed 26th in rushing yards.
Both positions require quick decision-making as well as athleticism. A linebacker is essentially in the middle of the defense. Nauman shared that linebackers set up four or five yards behind the line of scrimmage and must cover a lot of ground on the field in addition to being physically strong. He feels football is the ultimate team sport; everyone has separate jobs, but they all work together to reach a goal.
“Between the two positions, I prefer running back and being on offense,” he says. “I love making plays for the team and being in control of the game. You must be explosive, strong, fast and be able to read the field. A lot of the same attributes apply to the linebacker position. You must make a lot of tackles in the backfield and prevent the ball from advancing.
“I had a minor injury my sophomore year that prevented me from reaching my full potential,” he adds. “It was also a mental thing. So, I had to work harder and get better. I’ve had a lot of mentors along the way. Head coach Matt Nuckols is one of my favorite people ever. Strength coach Brandon VanMatre helped me with skills. He’s a good person and taught me so much. He told me that if you improve something every day, you are on the right track.”
Nauman finds time to excel in academics and participate in other activities. In the fall, he will study engineering at Purdue University. He is a member of student council, Athletic Leadership Council and Future Business Leaders of America. During the spring, he competes in track and field.
“Every spring, as soon as football ends, I’m in the weight room trying to get ready for track,” Nauman says. “Since eighth grade, my event is shot put. I don’t have any records yet, but I hope to this year. It’s fun, but football ranks higher in terms of enjoyment for me.
“Football has always been a love of mine. It is so much fun, I can’t describe how much fun. Even practice is fun. I love being out there and getting better. The advice I would give is always be willing to improve and work; nothing will be just handed to you. Be your own person and use that to your advantage. I wasn’t born with the most talent, but I was able to craft myself into something good on the football field.”
