Gators Coach: 2013 Team Has to Make Its Own Mark

The Goose Creek Gators are ready to pick up the pieces from the 2012 season and start anew.

The Gators first game is 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, against Ashley Ridge away. 

MaxPreps.com has the former No. 1 team ranked No. 4 in South Carolina. The team is ranked No. 126 in the nation. 

The undefeated football team had its 2012 season cut short in the playoffs when administrators learned one of the team's players had exhausted eight semesters of high school eligibility.

"Last year was last year — what happened was disappointing and it feels very unfair but that's in the past. We don't talk about it," Head Coach Chuck Reedy said. "They have to go out and make their own mark ... The expectations are very high. We expect to be good — we expect to compete for championships." 

But the team has also changed from 2012. Last year, the Gators had Mr. Football Tramel Terry, and players like Gerald Turner and Mike Myers.

"Those guys had been around a long time," Reedy said. "They were difference makers. You had those guys to build around. We don't have that nucleus this year."

But with a different team comes different opportunities. Reedy said his team has always relied on a strong running game, but they will be incorporating a lot more throwing this year. 

"We're going to run the football but we will be better at throwing than we ever been," Reedy said. "We will be able to throw the ball well." 

Reedy named these Gators as new players to watch this year: 

• Deondre Daniels (wide receiver). Reedy called Daniels "a future star."
• Evan McField (fullback). Reedy said of Mcfield: "This would be his opportunity to step up."
• Jordan Barnes (wide receiver). Reedy said Barnes is "going to be an excellent player."
• Zack Vanalstine (guard and center)
• Javon Kinlaw (defensive line)
• Trenton Brown (nose guard). Reedy said, "It's time for him to step up." 
• K.J. Wood (linebacker)
• Maurice Gailliard (linebacker)
• Alex Jacobus (kicker and punter)