Westhampton builds all around Dylan Laube
Westhampton Beach's Dylan Laube (40) runs the ball into the end zone in the third quarter during a Suffolk III playoff football quarterfinal at Kings Park High School on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. Credit: Bob Sorensen
There was one game last season that typified the myriad skills of Westhampton’s dynamo Dylan Laube. On Oct. 17 against Islip, Laube, then only a sophomore, ran for a touchdown, caught a touchdown pass and went the distance on a punt return in a 20-7 victory.
Later in the season, Laube, who totaled 23 touchdowns as a runner, receiver and returner, also scored on a kickoff return. No wonder the kid always seems to be smiling. “I just love playing football. It’s been a passion for me all my life,” said Laube, also a starting defensive back. “I never want to come off the field. I just have a blast doing everything.”
And he does, indeed, do everything for the Hurricanes, the No. 5 seed on Suffolk III. Last year, Laube lined up in the backfield, in the slot and as a wide receiver. He was even a wildcat quarterback in a season-ending semifinal loss to eventual Long Island champion Sayville, rushing for 247 yards and four touchdowns on runs on 42, four, 75 and 60. “I think we caught them by surprise a little bit,” Westhampton coach Bill Parry said.
But there is little about Laube that surprises Parry. “He’s been our best player since the ninth grade and we’re wrapping everything around him this year,” Parry said of the 5-11, 175-pounder. “He’s our halfback and we move our halfback around. We’ll put him in the slot and throw bubble screens to him. We’ll run him. He’s going to be one of our safeties. He returns punts and kickoffs.”
Parry is actually trying to lighten Laube’s load a little on special teams, “We’re trying to get him off the kickoff team. We’ll see. He plays on every down,” Parry said. “He sees the whole field. He’s very fast — high 4.5s for the 40 — and he’s really strong.”
Then Parry delivered the ultimate compliment. “He’s a football player.”
One who hopes to keep growing, adding pounds of muscle and improving his skills so he can continue his football career at the next level. Laube is also an outstanding lacrosse player and has drawn Division I interest in that sport, but prefers football.
“I still have two years left. Hopefully I’ll get (scholarship) offers and I can play four more years in college,” Laube said. “I’ll be honest, I like football better. I love lacrosse, but football tops it. I always get pumped when I play football. I’m always ready to go.”
And ready to line up anywhere on the field.
