West Laurens prepares new faces after semifinal run

The Raiders open their season at home against Bleckley County on August 21.

DEXTER, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – It was a season to remember for the West Laurens football team in 2025. The Raiders won 13 games in a row before ultimately falling short to Jefferson in the state semifinals. The squad will look different this go around, with a lot of younger players expected to step up and fill those gaps.

“It’s all about reps,” Head Coach Kip Burdette said. “When we get to that first game, we don’t want it to be the first time we’ve done something, we want it to be the 10-thousandth time we’ve done something, so it’s just about getting reps at this point, and doing the same thing over and over. It gets a little monotonous, a little boring, but it’s important. It’s what we have to do to be successful.”

“The standard is the standard,” senior receiver Jaden Stanley added. “No matter who’s playing, no matter what grade you’re in, you’re gonna have to play, so we’re gonna have to work, and hold them accountable.”

The Raiders open up the regular season at home against Bleckley County on August 21.