O’Laughlin Returns To North Shelby To Lead Raiders Football Program

By Marlana Smith

 

North Shelby welcomes back veteran coach Kent O’Laughlin to lead the Raiders football program for the 2025 season. O’Laughlin brings 25 years of experience to the role, including 19 years as a head coach and six years as an assistant at six different schools. His overall record stands at an impressive 134-81.

Coach O’Laughlin previously coached at North Shelby during the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons. He said he’s eager to return to the program and community.

“I’m exciting to have the opportunity to coach FB again. We had 2 very enjoyable seasons the previous stop at NS. It’s a good school system and community, so it will be exciting change stepping into 8 Man for the first time,” said Coach O’Laughlin.

The varsity coaching staff will also include Aaron O’Laughlin and Scott Gaines, while Cody Stoneburner, Ray Bacon, Quade Plunkett, and Ryan Rogers will work with the junior high program.

The Raiders had an impressive season last year, capping their run with a trip to the state championship game, where they finished as the runner-up after falling to Archie, 48-20.

Their semifinal win over Braymer will be remembered for decades. As time expired, quarterback Bo Bacon’s pass to Gannon Bowen was tipped by a defender. Bowen snatched the ball out of the air just before hitting the ground, sealing North Shelby’s dramatic 32-30 victory.

O’Laughlin’s goals for the season center on building a team identity that plays fast, physical, and hard every down.

“We want to strive for team goals working together unselfishly. Be a class act team both on and off the field daily,” he said. “It’s a new year and we must approach it that way. Teams will have us in their sights each week after the great season last year.

“We want to get better each and every week as we approach districts. Our goal will be to defend last season’s District Title. Obviously our number one goal will be striving to win a State Title.”

The Raiders will look to their returning seniors and juniors—most of whom were starters or key contributors last season—for leadership. With a new system in place, players will compete for playing time, and some may shift to new positions. The team also welcomes nine freshmen this fall, along with a junior and sophomore transferring from Marion County. Several of the nine returning sophomores are expected to compete for varsity minutes.

“Players have been approaching the new system changes with a positive attitude,” Coach O’Laughlin said.

“We hope to get this group acclimated to the high school level of football these next few weeks.”

Each game will be approached with a focus on that week’s opponent, and O’Laughlin has yet to name starters or captains.

He said the upperclassmen have done a solid job at being leaders this summer. He noted the productive summer in the weight room and on the field implementing new schemes.

Coach O’Laughlin said the values and expectations he is emphasizing this year are to be the most physical and hardest working team each week.

“Play with focus and strive to avoid costly mistakes. Our goal will be to get better each day and be prepared to compete,” Coach O’Laughlin expressed.

“We will be a team that strives to play together unselfishly while out hitting and out hustling the opposition.”

There are 30 Raiders on the roster this season.

Seniors: Gavin Parsons, Bo Bacon, Cole Browning, TJ Belt, Quintin Wiedeman and Jay Miles.

Juniors: Talon McCoy, Drake Prange, Gage Daniel, Gannon Bowen and Elliott Dougherty.

Sophomores: Colton Gander, Jake Geisendorfer, Alex DiLallo, Kale Pollard, Ty Bacon, Cooper Belt, Rian Launius, Drayk Plunkett, Caleb Barrick and Josh Kelso.

Freshmen: Jim Jones, Hyatt Copenhaver, Gauge Vinzant, David Miller, Lennon White, Gavric Bowen, Jagger Gaines, Brody Belt and Lane Pollard.

The Raiders will open their season at home against Bishhop LeBlond on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.