Experienced Laurel motivated for big season

By: James Dotson
Tuesday, August 20, 2019 | 6:24 PM

Ten starters back on offense. Nine starters back on defense. And a team that feels like it should have been in the postseason last year.

That’s a dangerous combination for opponents of Laurel, which went 6-4 a year ago. The Spartans only two Big Seven Conference losses coming to the two teams — OLSH and Rochester — that played for the WPIAL Class A championship.

After starting last season 2-4, coach Brian Cooper’s team went on a four-game winning streak to finish third in the Big Seven Conference. Because of tiebreakers, Laurel was the lone Class A third-place team left out of the playoff bracket.

Injuries last season forced inexperienced players into the lineup, but Cooper knows that could pay off this season, especially in the defensive backfield.

Cooper said sophomores Kobe DeRosa, Josh Gibson and Logan Ayres look like veteran players.

“We lost four secondary guys in the first two weeks of the season,” the sixth-year coach said. “That was critical. But all those guys are back who had to replace them, and they got a year under their belt.”

Will Shaffer missed his junior season after tearing his ACL in the preseason. He’s back at full strength for his senior year. While the two-year starter at quarterback will likely have some packages where he is behind center, expect to see him at wide receiver.

“Will’s such a threat out there with his size,” Cooper said. “He’s 6-foot-4, 220 (pounds) now. It creates huge match-up problems, and with our running attack, I like our chances with him out there one-on-one.”

That running attack was bolstered by Daniel Blank and Luke McCoy, a pair of 1,000-yard rushers who combined for 28 touchdowns. Laurel was one of only five WPIAL schools to have multiple 1,000-yard rushers, and the only one to have both back this season.

Dom Wade, who was first-team all-conference on defense last year, will return at quarterback. At 6-2, 240, Wade, a senior, only attempted 42 passes last season, but he frequently served as a lead blocker. That’s why some colleges are recruiting him as a fullback.

“As big as he is, you wouldn’t think he’d be able to play quarterback,” Cooper said. “But because he does all of those things, he’s a great quarterback for you. The way we like to run our power offense, he gives us another guy at the point of attack, so it’s like we have another pulling guard through there on our power plays.”

Mitch Miles (6-4, 295) returns on the offensive line. The junior was named the conference’s offensive lineman of the year last season.

“Mitch is having an unbelievable camp. I haven’t seen many linemen like him,” Cooper said.

Alex Stanton, who battled injury last year, and Ryan Collier are also back up front. Derreck Brest, Andy Harlan and Sam Arblaster gained experience last year and will figure into the rotation this season.

So Laurel has the experience, the Spartans also have motivation.

After Hayden Hamilton suffered a spinal cord injury in Week 1 last season, he was back at the field in a wheelchair for Laurel’s first day of practice, watching 33 teammates during a morning workout. Hamilton’s return was emotional for coaches and players, who are inspired by his effort.

“He’s a tough kid,” Cooper said. “Give him a lot of credit. He is pushing forward, doing great attitude-wise, and working his butt off to get back and to reach his goals. What more can you ask for?”

With the experience, strength and leadership, the Spartans might be in for a big season. But with only eight teams making the postseason in the classification, every game is crucial.

“The kids know if they’re not ready Week 1 against Rochester, it could make the biggest difference in the world at the end of the season.”

Schedule

Coach: Brian Cooper

2018 record: 6-4, 5-2

All-time record: 329-252-10

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23, Mohawk, 7

8.30, at Rochester*, 7:30

9.7, at Bishop Canevin*, 7

9.13, California, 7

9.20, at Clairton, 7

9.27, OLSH*, 7

10.4, Union*, 7

10.11, at Cornell*, 7

10.18, Sto-Rox*, 7

10.25, Northgate*, 7

*Class A Big 7 Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Dom Wade

24-42, 338 yards, 4 TDs

Rushing: Daniel Blank

137-1,038 yards, 13 TDs

Receiving: Cam Caldararo

4-133 yards, 2 TDs

Tags: Laurel