Goose Creek Memorial enters a new era this fall.
Daniel Ragsdale takes over the reigns for Shannon Carter who took a job at the collegiate level with Abilene Christian University. Ragsdale has served as the offensive coordinator for the Patriots for the past few seasons.
Prior to arriving at GCM, Ragsdale had stops at perennial power North Shore and Summer Creek, working for the likes of David Aymond, Brian Ford and Jon Kay.
“I’ve been so fortunate to be around some great programs and leaders,” Ragsdale said. “God has put me in the right places at the right time. Each has taught me something different.”
Now, down to business. Ragsdale takes over a program that is still fairly new onto the landscape and last made the playoffs in 2020. Prior to that it was 2013, which was on the back end of a three-consecutive playoff berth streak.
The Patriots will have to replace some pieces but do return second-team, all-district defensive end Joseph Holmes. He will
be the anchor of that unit. Staying on defense, Ragsdale believes they will be bigger up front and his linebacker and secondary will be “pretty salty” led by Eli Lewis, Ahmad Kerl and Holmes to hold it down.
Other names to remember on defense include Luis Salas (DE) and Verdell English (OLB/S).
Offensively, Brian Samuel will be a gamechanger at receiver who is “super- talented” and Desmond Wade-Johnson is a “dynamic kid” also at receiver. There will be youth on the offensive line, but Ragsdale believe they will be good to go. Also, watch out for Darius Carr (WR), Jermaine Garcia (FB/ TE) and Cadin Sharp (OT).
“When it comes to our kids, there’s a certain kind of toughness that comes with them,” Ragsdale said. “That may not be the way that things are perceived but this is a different group ... They respond. I think when we get on the field to play and strap it up and go nose-to-nose with people they’re going to show up just like they have all offseason.”