Gators win Region 7-5A opener

Rob Gantt • October 6, 2024

Mail

By Rob Gantt

Special to the HSSR

GOOSE CREEK – Goose Creek High School’s football team pulled out a victory in its Region 7-5A opener Oct. 4, holding off visiting Wando High School, 21-20.

With the win, Goose Creek improved to 3-3 overall and moved to 1-0 in the region. The Gators travel to Berkeley Oct. 11 before hosting Lucy Beckham and Cane Bay Oct. 18 and Oct. 25. They complete the region slate Nov. 1 at defending league champion Stratford.

“The goal is to win the region and go undefeated in the region,” Gators coach Jason Winstead said. “We’ve been better on defense this season and if we keep playing that way, we’ll give ourselves a chance on Friday nights.”

Against the Warriors, running back Trevon Goss rushed for 82 yards and scored a touchdown. Jahvae Bowman added 58 yards on the ground. Through the air, quarterback Kymani Clary threw for 144 yards and connected with Teru Davis and Micah Adams on touchdown passes. Davis led Gators receivers with 72 yards. Adams finished with 46 yards and Jaylin Grant chipped in 26 yards.

Wando rallied from a 21-6 deficit in the fourth quarter to make it close. Winstead was impressed with the improvement the Warriors have made under first-year coach Isaiah Perrin.

“Wando is playing hard and they’re a much better football team than they were last year,” Winstead said. “I’m really impressed with their quarterback. We have some good quarterbacks in the Lowcountry. We have played at least three games just like Friday night and lost the first two at the end. I was proud of the guys for making the plays we needed to win.”

Winstead was referring to a 21-20 loss to Fort Dorchester and 10-7 loss to James Island.

Goose Creek is still playing without reigning region player of the year, running back Meliq McGowan. The junior has been out with an injury. Winstead hopes to get McGowan back soon.

“Meliq is such a playmaker and it’s been a struggle without him,” Winstead said, “but Trevon has stepped up and done a good job.”

Goss leads the Gators with 406 yards rushing on the season. He’s scored three touchdowns. McGowan had 274 yards rushing and five touchdowns before his injury. Clary has passed for 708 yards and six touchdowns, while rushing for 289 yards and three scores.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Gators’ Hall has built consistent winner on Redbank Road

By Rob Gantt • July 30, 2025

Blake Hall has coached the Gators since the 2012-13 season and consistently produced winning teams over the years.

Hanahan volleyball program under new leadership

By Rob Gantt • July 30, 2025

Hanahan High School promotes Jamie Kock to head coach of the girls varsity volleyball. Koch, who has moved up from the junior varsity, takes over for former coach Sheena Lanham.

First Baptist Hires New AD and Football Coach

By David Shelton • July 30, 2025

By David Shelton Senior Writer Charleston – First Baptist School has new leadership within its football program and athletic department for the coming 2025-26 school year. Kevin Mapp was hired as the new head football coach in the early spring and Jay Godbolt was hired as the new athletic director at the start of the summer. Mapp has extensive coaching experience on both the college and high school levels while also working in law enforcement. First Baptist is his first head coaching position. Mapp last coached defensive linemen at James Island Charter High and has had coaching stints at James Madison, Hampden-Sydney, Georgetown, Marshall, Missouri State and Coastal Carolina. Mapp graduated from James Madison and was a defensive lineman on the 2004 Division I-AAA (now FCS) national championship team. “Coaching has always been my passion,” Mapp said. “Ever since I was playing, I wanted to be a coach. I have always found a way to coach while working in law enforcement. I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunities to do both.” Mapp has been with the Charleston County police department for the last 10 years. He took some time away from coaching to start a family. “I felt like First Baptist was the perfect fit for me and my family,” Mapp says. “It’s a great opportunity at a great place. The kids here work hard and there is a lot of support from the administration. I’m excited to be the head football coach at First Baptist.” Mapp has hired coordinators on both sides of the ball. Will McCombs , once the head coach of the program, will call the offensive plays. Chris Hart comes over from James Island as the defensive coordinator. “Our numbers are improving and the kids are working hard,” Mapp said. “I feel like we can be a competitive team. It’s year one of the building process.” Godbolt has been a coach and athletic director in the Charleston area for nearly two decades. As the boys basketball coach at Charleston Collegiate, Godbolt coached three state championship teams. He also has been a coach and athletic director at Lowcountry Leadership Academy. Godbolt has more than 450 career victories as a head basketball coach. Current First Baptist basketball coach Antoine Saunders was Godbolt’s assistant at Charleston Collegiate.