Four Bulldogs named to 4A All-Idaho football team
Carson Laybourne of Sandpoint High School rushes in for the tackle against Skyline. Laybourne was recently selected for First Team All-Idaho.
(Photo courtesy JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
Sandpoint High School punter Jacob Gove kicks against Skyline in this years playoff game. Gove was recently named Second Team All-State for Idaho.
Wylan Dorrel goes up against Shelley Russet's running back. Dorrell was named First-Team All-State for the first time.
Wes Benefield breaking through in the Bulldog's playoff game against Shelley Russet. Benefield was just named to the All-State First Team for Idaho.
The All-Idaho teams are chosen by a vote of the state’s coaches. Selected for First Team All-State were offensive lineman Carson Laybourne, offensive lineman Wylan Dorrel and linebacker Wes Benefield. Punter Jecob Gove made Second Team All-State.
This is Laybourne's second time being selected for the First Team All-State. This year, he racked up 252 rushing yards per game and played nose guard in crucial moments for Sandpoint. Laybourne has been a three-year starter for the Bulldogs and has an offer to play football for Central Washington.
“He’s a physically dominant player that will do great at the next level,” head coach Ryan Knowles said.
Dorrel made Second Team All-State as a junior and secured his spot on First Team this year as a senior. The left tackle has an offer from Central Washington and a PWO from Montana State.
“Wylan is a very gifted lineman that has a lot of good football in front of him,” Knowles said.
Benefield made First Team All-State for the second year in a row. He’s a three-year starter for Sandpoint, a senior captain and two-time IEL Defensive Player of the Year.
Benefield had a standout season for the Bulldogs with four rushing touchdowns, 105 tackles in 10 games, three interceptions and eight tackles. He has yet to make a decision on where he’ll play next year but has offers from the College of Idaho, Whitworth and Linfield.
“He’s an all-around great player versus run and pass,” Knowles said. “The offenses had to game plan for him.”
Making Second Team All-State for the Bulldogs is Jacob Gove. He averaged 35.8 yards per punt and 61.4 yards per game. Gove didn’t start kicking until his sophomore year in high school and put in the work for his senior year.
“His Punts really shined this year,” Knowles said. “He worked extremely hard at improving, and it showed.”
Gove is looking at potential walk-on options at the next level.
