High School Football Previews: Laurel Bulldogs

LAUREL, Del. – Laurel is coming off of back-to-back state championships in DIAA football, but they face many challenges in the upcoming 2023 campaign.

Thanks to their run of success, where they did not suffer a loss to another 1A school in two years, DIAA made the decision to move Laurel up to Class 2A. They join fellow Henlopen South rivals such as Woodbridge, Delmar, Lake Forest, and others.

“That 2A district 3 last year was a battle, so you know pretty much the same group now having joined them,” said Laurel head coach Joey Jones. “Just looking forward to the Henlopen South again and getting these guys back where we felt we belong along.”

Laurel has been nothing short of phenomenal the past couple of years, but the Dawgs are in the 2A now and Jones believes that takes pressure off of this years team and gives them a clean slate.

“They don’t have to worry about doing that same thing you don’t have to have the stress of going 13-0 again. You get to be who you are in a clean slate and I think this groups really receptive to that and I think that’s kind of who they’ve committed to be the first week.”

Like every year you have to adjust from graduating seniors. Last year the Bulldogs were led by star running back Kylse Wilson and quarterback Kayden Shockley. For this season coach Jones says he has more options with this years roster.

“I don’t think you can replace those individually but just the offense as a whole is going to look different. I think we have more depth this year, we had a core group of guys that put up a lot of yards and a lot of touchdowns but it was a smaller group, more exclusive.”

Laurel’s 2023 Schedule:

Thur. 8/31 – at Sussex Central 7 PM

Fri. 9/8 – at Brandywine 6 PM

Fri. 9/15 – Caesar Rodney 7 PM

Fri. 9/22 – Caravel 7 PM

Fri. 10/6 – at Woodbridge 7 PM

Fri. 10/13 – Seaford 7 PM

Fri. 10/20 – at Milford 7 PM

Sat. 10/28 – Delmar 12 PM

Fri. 11/3 – Lake Forest 7 PM

Fri. 11/10 – at Sussex Tech 7 PM