West Laurens replacing a lot, but reloaded roster has ample speed, line talent to run gauntlet

Exceptional seasons are about exceptional players. And it was a special senior class of them that led West Laurens to its greatest ever, complete with 13 wins, the region 4-AAA championship and trip to the state semifinals, last fall. 

In football’s cycles of success, which usually bring those along only every so often, it’s tough to lose one so big and still turn the page smoothly from that type of team to the next. 

The Raiders, whose 20 or so losses from 2025 accounted for about two-thirds their starting lineup, are facing one of those huge transitions as they reset for a new year. 

But the predicted wave of turnover is one they were bracing for, and for the most part, they’ve weathered it in best-case fashion. 

“We’ve still got some question marks for sure,” said West Laurens head coach Kip Burdette. “But we feel good about some things we’ve seen… We’re still trying to find out who we can count on. We’re still trying to find out who really wants to take a starting job and run with it. But we feel good about the progress we’ve made at this point.” 

Last season was another of the landmarks that have come for West Laurens at steady intervals over its recent history, coinciding with the crest of one of those athletic waves every 4-5 years. 

Both the last two peaks, as memorable seasons in 2014 and 2019 also culminated in region titles and deep playoff runs, were followed by some type of valley. However the first (for a Raider team that came back to win only one fewer game, and reached the second round) was much less steep a dropoff than the second (a fairly significant step back from 11 wins to just five, and a first-round exit). 

It remains to be seen whether this year will fall into one category, the other or somewhere between. 

But the quality players they’re not replacing, and some good signs seen this summer, offer a good bit to suggest that the more things change, the more they might stay the same as West Laurens seeks to reload, and remain in a strong position as a program. 

The Raiders’ soft debut in a home scrimmage with Mary Persons early in the month was somewhat erratic, as a bunch of new guys tried things out under the lights, very clearly for the first time, and showed a definite lack of experience that will probably continue to be visible for the early part of the fall. 

But there also appeared to be no lack of talent that, when the newness wears off and some cohesiveness finally develops, could easily have them in a spot right back at the top of the region. 

“It’s still a work in progress, but we’re trying to work to get better and answer a lot of those questions,” Burdette said. 

Depth perception… 

Despite the many changes, West Laurens had two important things it could count on coming into 2026… 

One was a small but significant set of returning starters who, late last year, demonstrated as much leadership as many of their senior counterparts. 

The other was its strength program, which didn’t miss much of a step in continuing to churn out good-looking football players that have been a common denominator of Raider football teams going back close to two decades. 

If there was any question of where they needed to re-start back in December, the natural answer was in the same weight room that’s been square 1 of the offseason for all of Burdette’s teams, as those of both the two head coaches who preceded him.  

“Lifting weights was just part of the fabric of West Laurens,” he said. “Those kids like to lift. It’s something they enjoy. We’re strong.” 

A theme you tend to see in winning programs: Success that reinforces itself to a point where, when it’s time for a changing of the guard, one generation can easily hand things off to another one that’s well-trained and prepared for its moment. 

Those tabbed as the next Raiders up this season are eager to hit the ground running. 

“Some of the kids we’re counting on, and some of the newcomers, they’ve worked to earn that spot,” Burdette said. “There are a lot of kids that, with that class that we just had graduate, guys that have really been waiting their turn. Maybe they were sophomores and juniors last year, and they’re kind of chomping at the bit to get their chance to go out there and play.” 

There may be a high number of new starters coming up, but West’s concern hasn’t been finding talent to replace what was lost. It’s just finding the level of depth they’d like to have at a number of positions that are sharing many of the same players. 

What most identified those issues over the summer were intrasquad scrimmages that forced a lot of athletes doing double-duty to pick a side. 

“We’re trying to make it where we can practice against each other a little bit,” Burdette said. “When we do that, we get a little thin. But it’s good, to a point, because someone you’re not really counting on is going to end up getting better, and you end up working on your depth like that.” 

The more of those solid contributors they can add to the rotation to help out by September and October, the better, because a big concern will be figuring out how not to lean too heavily on some players West Laurens will have to lean on pretty heavily. 

Others could emerge, but there are a handful of which a lot will be requested in all three phases. And the Raiders hope that the demands of that workload won’t take too much of a toll on guys like senior Jaden Stanley (5-9, 160), who’s pretty elite in coverage at cornerback, but has some speed they’ll probably need to utilize frequently on offense and special teams, too. 

Another… Trinity transfer Tripp Mascaro (6-0, 185). The junior is an imposing blocker and receiving target at tight end on offense, but also one of a few really big bodies in the defensive front seven that there just aren’t many of. 

Perhaps the most involved player of any will be junior J.D. Hogan (5-10, 175), who excels as a tackler and interceptor of passes on the back end, punts, holds and covers kicks, but also showed with big runs in the Jefferson game and MP scrimmage why he probably doesn’t touch the ball enough on offense. 

Still, keeping him from injury and fatigue is a priority that Burdette and staff are paying close attention to. ‘Cause if they don’t find some way to manage his snaps, he’s liable to never leave the field. 

“We’ve got to be smart, because he’s a kid that wants to be in all the time,” Burdette said. “We’ve got to keep him healthy, because he’s got a lot to offer… We’ve got to keep a cap, and keep him healthy.” 

Some late-blooming athletes who emerge at different positions could change the equation, but for the time being, West Laurens will have to do a lot more with less than it’s used to while working to fill the many sets of big shoes left behind from a season ago. 

“I do feel good about the pieces we’ve got, but we are thin in some spots,” said West Laurens head coach Kip Burdette. “That’s one thing we’re working on this summer, just developing depth, trying to find out who can do some things.” 

Turning over some new leaves… 

There were the eight starters the West Laurens offense had to replace from last season, and then there was feature back Ty Cummings, who was almost worth eight more players on his own. 

“He was different than any player I’ve ever really been around,” Burdette said. 

The Georgia Southern signee, who’s said to be making a strong case for some carries and kick returns as a freshman Eagle this fall, wasn’t the only graduate the Raiders will miss on offense. 

But his ability to take the entire unit on his shoulders, demonstrated in 13 games leading up to a 14th in which an unfortunate ankle injury suffered in the quarterfinals showed how little they could afford to be without him. 

Other key cogs included in the class of 2026 were minuteman quarterback Cason Pollock, sparkplug receiver Juvon Hill, short-yardage bulldozer Shannon Adkins and dynamic wings Branden Brooks and Evan Holmes who were pivotal in producing the remainder of a little over 5,000 total yards, and helping last year’s squad put up a record 525 points, nearly 40 per game. 

What was spared in the offseason purge? 

In large part, a scattering of rushing yards and TDs out of Hogan and rising junior Braylen Robinson was all that remained of meaningful production. 

The departure of offensive playcaller Gabe Gay, to become head coach at Montgomery County, has done even more to start the Raiders from something pretty close to scratch on that side of the football. 

Burdette, who has been a defensive guy since his early days as an assistant coach but came up as a quarterback at Mary Persons, will be stepping back over to the offensive side to coach the QBs and collaborate with new OC Matt Janufka on running the offense. The transition, taking him back to some early roots, has been a fun experience. 

“It’s a little more of an analytical game, but just some of the fundamentals I enjoyed working with as a kid, the footwork fundamentals and mesh fundamentals, have been enjoyable to work with,” he said. “I think the head coach and quarterbacks, they are always kind of attached. Most of the time, the head coaches at the QBs get too much credit when things go good, and too much blame when things go bad, so they’re kind of attached in that regard.” 

Some mystery surrounded exactly what about the Raiders’ approach might change under their watch. But in this month’s first scrimmage look, things were mostly similar in presentation, revolving around most of the same core formations and run plays that carried over from last year. 

Some different wrinkles, though, could be in store based on how well this new group of players can find its footing. 

“What we do up front is going to be similar to what we’ve done in the past,” Burdette said. “It may look a little different in the backfield, but our identity and what we do is going to stay pretty consistent.” 

Carries will be spread around much more evenly between members of a running back committee, but pounding the ball will very much stay the main thing, with Robinson (5-11, 179), junior Kaden Bloodsaw (5-9, 175) and senior Justin Blash (5-10, 145) due to split them up. 

Several more will get involved, either on the end of handoffs or receiving direct snaps, with Hogan and fellow junior Jace Williams (6-0, 185) both set to moonlight as package QBs.  

As for the main signal-caller, that’ll be junior Duggan Malone (6-0, 170), who’s been groomed for a couple seasons to take over the position, and has a pretty live arm that Burdette feels will make throwing the ball just as much a strength as it was last season, even beyond just what would be considered that the Raiders made their main focus last year. 

“Duggan’s looked good throwing the ball around this summer,” Burdette said. “He’s tall, long, athletic and he adds an element where, if stuff’s not there, he can break and go. He’s shown he can run and has got some speed and athleticism. Hopefully that element helps us throw the ball a little bit, maybe even on early downs this year.” 

Malone was also the team’s primary placekicker. But freshman Nathan Bodi, a transfer from Dublin had a confident preseason showing, may bid to take at least some of those responsibilities off his hands. 

Mascaro will lead the tight end and H-back position, but you’ll also potentially see junior Tripp NeSmith (6-0, 185), Cooper Smith (5-10, 180) and sophomore Braydon Bailey (6-2, 163) mix in there.  

At wideout, seniors Jabiri Martin (5-10, 135) and Janile Browder (5-9, 160) and juniors Jeremy Brownlee (5-9, 130), Ezekiel Floyd, Nicholas Hester (6-0, 180) and Kingston O’Neal (6-0, 150) are vying for regular reps. 

Hogan and Stanley will work with sophomore Jamari Blash (5-9, 163) and junior Briceton McMiller (5-8, 140) in the slot. 

Freshmen Chris Brown, Bryce Shepherd and AJ Dixon are some ninth graders with potential who may get a look in some situations. 

“But hopefully they don’t have to do too much too soon,” Burette said. 

Main kick and punt return jobs are up for grabs between the same speedsters already mentioned: Stanley, McMiller, the Blash cousins and Hogan all as realistic possibilities. 

A lot of who plays where will come down to consistency, but finding others besides the many primary starters on defense who are involved in offensive and kicking game rotations would be a great bonus in the Raiders’ continuing effort to build depth. 

“The way we’ve got practice going right now, they have primary positions, but those skill positions are all hands on deck,” Burdette said. “We’ve got a lot of two-way guys, so being calculated on how we do all that will be important.” 

Back in the trenches… 

Some generational talent West Laurens has returning may make the offensive line one of the brightest of its bright spots going into the season. 

The position wasn’t at all immune from the grad reaper that took its share from all corners of the depth chart, claiming three of its 2025 starters, including one D1 signee. 

But the two rising seniors who remain in the fold are a couple more in what has become a long line of projectable O-line prospects streaming from the SHU to the next level since 2023. 

And both, senior tackles Jonathan Toney (committed to Memphis) and Christian Rozier (pledged to Troy), are already spoken for as they prepare to graduate in December, and enroll early at their respective schools. 

The lankier Toney measures 6-foot-6, 268, and Rozier a fuller 6-foot-4, 315. But the length and strength of both players will make them weapons at the point of attack in a gap-based blocking scheme that loves to use its tackles on leads and kick-outs. 

“They’re both big, strong athletic kids,” Burdette said. “They understand the game. They’re pretty intelligent. Both of them are really high-GPA students, and they are usually guys you don’t have to tell things but one time. They’ve kind of got it. We want to keep things consistent up there where they don’t have to do a lot of thinking. They’re capable, but they do a really good job of getting on people. I think one of the most impressive things they do is reach people. They can get around people. And they do well in pass pro and getting off the ball in the run game.” 

The Raiders have been just as impressed with what they’ve seen this summer from a brand new group of starters in between them. 

At center will be junior Dameon Palmer (6-2, 265). 

“He’s pretty versatile,” Burdette said. “He’s worked hard in the weight room. He’s conscientious. He cares about what he does and wants to be good.” 

Junior Hudson Lee (6-2, 265), on the right, and sophomore Brayden Baldwin (5-11, 270), at left, are slotted at the guard positions. 

On special teams, NeSmith is the heir apparent to replace Southern-signee Grady Howell as long snapper, but junior Maxx Chafin is an option there, too. 

“We’re gonna work a couple of guys there just to see who has the best consistency and velocity on the ball,” Burdette said. 

Malique Green (5-10, 195) and Josiah Spencer (6-0, 280) have also been involved in the conversation up front, and might have a shot to get involved situationally when West goes back to its heavy jumbo set, featuring seven down linemen and two up-blockers, in situations calling for a little extra oomph up front. 

The no-nonsense run package that the Raiders have spent a lot of their time in the past two seasons isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it might be even more useful than it has been in a new region full of teams (Harlem, Long County and Southeast Bulloch, to name just a few) who place high value on controlling the line. 

“I think it’s definitely something that we’re going to keep doing,” Burdette said. “It’s been too good for us in the past couple of years to abandon it. As good as I think our offensive line can be, we’re gonna lean on those guys when we can. If there’s not a whole lot of bells and whistles we can execute, sometimes we just need to load up and go, and see if we can’t get three or four yards.” 

Whether arranged in its smashmouth or traditional configuration, the O-line and its multiple slobberknocking personalities were an underrated part of what helped last year’s team rise to the occasion in major moments of big games. West needs this one to step up in a similar way to lead the way for a young offense. 

“They’re going to have to be our bell cows,” Burdette said. “We’re going to have to lean on them.” 

Living and dying with the D… 

Then there’s the defense, which has a chance to be another of the Raiders’ biggest strengths… and a little like last year, what ultimately wins and loses some games. 

Hidden between the season’s runaway victories were some fourth quarters that came dangerously close to a few different results, with several of this year’s returning players right at the center of the difference-making moments. 

Hogan interceptions turned around upset bids by both North Clayton and Aquinas. Chafin screen disruptions went along with some senior-led defensive plays in keying the win at Harlem. Stanley made a fourth-down pass break-up that was no less insignificant near the end of the record-setting boat race with Baldwin in late September. Mack had the final tackle that tied up some pesky loose ends in the quarterfinal win over Jenkins, plus a fumble-forcing sack in the final loss at Jefferson.

“I thought we played pretty good defense down the stretch last year,” Burdette said. 

Each are moving from supporting roles into the place of main characters, but the new and returning “sharks” in the Raiders’ base 3-4 figure to carry a lot of good things over into a new season. 

And rest assured their sequel to 2025 will be a lot better than Jaws 2… 

The tone-setting Mack (5-10, 190), a hard-hitting stalwart with “sideline to sideline” range and elite instincts for diagnosing formations and reading the play, will patrol the middle and serve as an unquestioned defensive leader. 

“He’s a lot stronger,” Burdette said. “He can run. He’s hard for linemen to get on, and such a good tackler. He should have 100-plus (tackles).” 

The other ILB spot is “a question mark,” but Robinson and Bloodsaw are both candidates to play there.  

Mascaro, who was an end in Trinity’s four-man front, is set to play as an outside linebacker. Senior Knowledge Taylor (5-7, 165), sophomore Zack White (5-10, 170) and Hester will be part of the rotation. 

Three out of four projected starters in the secondary have experience that’s made the group the quickest on the revamped defense to jell this summer. 

“Those guys do a good job communicating, and a good job flying around,” Burdette said. 

A sort of newcomer is the “fast, physical, strong” sophomore Jamari Blash as the deep net. Hogan, who took over the permanent strong safety job by the end of last year, is effectively a returning starter. Brownlee and junior Logan Wilcher (5-10, 155) are reserves. 

Back to hold down one corner spot is Stanley, better known as “The Franchise,” whose work last year included six pass break-ups, five tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two blocked kicks and one pick. 

O’Neal and Stephen Odum (5-5, 133) are competing for the starting job on the other side. 

Chafin (5-10, 225) returns to anchor the front, but maybe not from any one particular position as he gets an opportunity to potentially move around a bit to some spots other than the one with his hand in the dirt that he played pretty strictly last year. Chances to rush the passer as a stand-up edge, and even work as more of a linebacker may be in the cards this fall. 

Fellow senior Quay Taylor (5-10, 225) and Evan Ellis (5-8, 165), junior Ayden Moore (5-10, 210), sophomores Braden Willis and Takobe Tobler round out a D-line that, in all, will be undersized, and have to play to other strengths in certain matchups. 

“I’m not necessarily opposed to playing a smaller, quicker defensive line, but if the opponents have a lot of mass on the offensive line, that can be a cause for concern,” Burdette said. “That’ll be something we get figured out.”

Runnin’ Raiders… 

There are three speed limit signs posted side-by-side on the wall just outside Burdette’s office opposite the hallway from the football weight room near the West Laurens gym. 

Each is printed with a different number, 20, 21 and 22 mph. And all except the last has several player signatures scrawled in different places between the letters and numbers. 

The placards represent three “clubs,” of sorts, made up of players who have achieved the respective speed benchmarks during practice since a series of special GPS-driven measuring devices became available for them to wear during practice a couple years ago.

While the coveted 22 mph club still has no members (Cummings, to date, has been the closest Raider to the mark at 21.9 last season), there are several on the current squad who’ve earned the right to sign the others. 

As of a visit in early July, Malone, McMiller, Brownlee, Hogan and Robinson were the certified 20 mph’ers, while Stanley was the only present player out of five total to have endorsed the 21. But more are threatening to reach both milestones every day. 

That elite speed will be a big feather in the cap of this West Laurens team, which may not have as much going for it across the board as last year’s, but can boast many of its own unique upsides that will provide an advantage in the three phases this fall, that among the most significant. 

“We don’t have a lot of big bodies, but I do think we have good team speed,” Burdette said. “So we’re going to have to lean into that a little bit.” 

Intangibly, there’s a different sort of chip these Raiders will have on their shoulders. Whereas last year’s were eager to prove themselves as champions, this new generation is out to make its name as a totally different team, with realistic expectations of getting right back into contention and dismissing doubts that might lead many to label this season a rebuilding one. 

“Our staff has worked hard to answer question marks from our losses,” Burdette said. “Our kids are going to be hungry.” 

West’s two toughest games on the entire schedule may be its first, separated by a bye, against loading nearby superpowers Bleckley County and Dodge. After that, two underrated tests against Cook and Monroe Area lead into the new 4-AAAA schedule, where familiar rival Harlem is the only opposing holdover. 

The slate remains as much a mystery as these Raiders, with their potential shrouded at the moment by clouds of inexperience that likely won’t clear out until they navigate some early twists and turns directly ahead on the roadmap. 

“(They’re) going to come at some point in time with as many new faces as we’ve got out there,” he said. “How they do with the peaks and valleys is going to determine how our season ends up.” 

For their most recent team, learning to keep the bumps from leading to breakdowns took a couple of hard seasons, and one on the precipice, before last year’s confident march to the mountaintop was finally possible. 

The climb back to a new peak for the program can be a much shorter one if West Laurens is able to avoid repeating the same early habits of making rookie mistakes. 

“You have to learn how not to lose before you can learn how to win,” Burdette said. “We got to a point where we had to start expecting to win. We’re to that point now, it’s keeping up to that expectation and standard.”