VYPE Goose Creek August 2022

football

✯ T E AM P R E V I EW✯ FOOTBALL \\ By J o s h u a Ko c h

Baytown Lee’s [Back Row]: Carlos Zamarripa, Adrian David (Baytown Junior), LeVay Duncan Jr., Tommy Gonzalez (Baytown Junior), Josh Huerta, Louis Schatte (Horace Mann) and Keven Ortiz; [Middle Row]: Josiah Joseph, Aedan Squires (Baytown Junior), Wanyae Barnes, Bryant Balderas (Horace Mann), Dominic Medina, Luis Gonzalez Jr. (Baytown Junior) and Harold Gibson; [Front Row]: Ehret Calloway, Jayden Nelson (Baytown Junior) and Denzel Taylor

while Gibson holds it down at linebacker. GOOSE CREEK MEMORIAL PATRIOTS 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

BAYTOWN LEE GANDERS Tim Finn has worked his magic at Baytown Lee, which has resulted in a pair of solid seasons back-to-back for the Ganders. In 2020, they reached the playoffs for the first time since 2009 – a huge accomplishment . They followed that up last season going 7-3 and just barely missing the playoffs. Now, what can they do this year having to replace quite a few big-time pieces – including Trudell Berry (Vanderbilt) – on both sides of the ball? The Ganders do return second-team, all-district offensive lineman Keven Ortiz to lead the line. On defense,

first-team, all-district outside linebacker Josh Huerta is back along with second team, inside linebacker Harold Gibson, who is a four year starter for the Ganders. At quarterback expect LeVay Duncan Jr. to be slinging the rock and can let it fly. Some of his targets will include Josiah Joseph in the slot and Huerta, who will also flip to receiver at times. Ehret Calloway will be a nice big target as well , while Dominic Medina and Carlos Zamarripa hold it down up front . Watch for Wanyae Barnes and Denzel Taylor to come rumbling out of the backfield as well. Defensively, Taylor will play some free safety for the Ganders along with Nelson,

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

22 \\ G O O S E C R E E K C I S D \\ A U G 2022 \\ g c c i s d . n e t