Wakefield junior Leon Young’s love for Krispy Kreme doughnuts is so strong that he enjoys spending time looking at the delightful desserts as well as eating them.
Young’s passion for the sugary snack hasn’t slowed his production on the field, though.
On the contrary, Young is one of the most potent playmakers on a Wakefield football team in the midst of a historic season.
Young, a junior running back and defensive back, has carried 144 times for 1,008 yards and seven touchdowns in eight games this season. He also has six receptions for 119 yards and two scores.
On Oct. 24, Young rushed for 124 yards, added 18 receiving yards, scored three touchdowns and snagged a pair of interceptions during a 42-0 victory over Stuart. The win improved Wakefield’s record to 6-2 and clinched the Warriors’ first winning season since 1983.
Young is in his second season as a varsity starter. As a sophomore, he ran for 881 yards and eight touchdowns as the Warriors finished 3-7 under then-first-year head coach Wayne Hogwood, the leader of the Wakefield resurgence. It was the first time the Warriors had won at least three games in a season since 2008.
The 5-foot-6, 160-pound Young is a lifelong Arlington resident who wants to one day play college football. Young recently participated in a Q&A via email with The Connection.
Q: At what age did you start playing football? Have you always been a running back?
Young: I started playing football at the age of 6. I started off with flag football. I have played everything in my lifetime from center to quarterback. I became more of a running back when I realized I was faster than most people and just used speed to run away from you and score.
Q: The win over Stuart improved your record to 6-2 and clinched Wakefield's first winning season since 1983. What does it feel like to be part of that accomplishment?
Young: It feels awesome. A lot of people never get to cherish this moment because they leave to winning schools instead of ironing out the wrinkles in your home school and making it a good program, but I'm glad that I get the opportunity to do it and give life to Wakefield.
Q: What are some of the main differences between this year's Wakefield team and last year's?
Young: Commitment and effort! Last year, we had guys that wanted to work and win, but when things got hard, some put their head down and it's hard to stop a snowball when it's already rolling. We now expect to win every single game we suit up for. We no longer have the [mentality] of "Oh, we're Wakefield. If we don't lose by 50, were improving." We now have the mindset of winning no matter who we play.”
Q: Have you noticed a difference this year in the way football players are treated by their peers at Wakefield High School?
Young: We get more love and support from everyone, lose or win. Everybody is behind us now and wants to see us succeed.
Q: What is your favorite football moment during your time at Wakefield?
Young: [Choosing] my favorite football moment is hard. Believe it or not, I think we have one of the funniest teams in America. All of the moments are my favorite. It's too hard to choose.
Q: Who is your favorite music artist? Why?
Young: My favorite music artist would be Nico & Vinz. They have this one great song called "Am I wrong" and I love it. It's a nice, soft tune, but at the same time it has a nice base drop.
Q: What is your favorite movie? Why?
Young: “Rush Hour 2” is my favorite movie of all time, no doubt. I love the humor they use all throughout the movie. If it can make me laugh, it gets a thumbs up in my book.
Q: What is your favorite food?
Young: My favorite food is Ramen Noodles, because they are easy to make and they hit the spot when I make them. I think I make the best ones in the world.
Q: What is your favorite video game?
Young: My favorite video game is of course Madden 15. My Steelers are nasty on the field and play like hungry dogs.
Q: What is your favorite hobby?
Young: I like to train and get better for football when I have free time, or maybe some basketball. Anything active. I love Krispy Kreme donuts [and] I also spend some time in there just watching the donuts come off the belt.
Q: Who are your favorite pro sports teams? Who are your favorite pro athletes?
Young: Pittsburgh Steelers are my favorite NFL team. J.J. Watt, Troy Polamalu and Lawrence Timmons are my favorite defensive players. Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, Antonio Brown and Demarco Murray for offense.
Q: Do you want to play college football?
Young: Yes! I would love to play college football. I really hope that the fact I'm in a smaller school and not really in a "football" community [doesn’t] hide the fact that there is college-ready talent in Arlington, Va.