Game Balls: Charleston Area Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Goose Creek High football team has managed just two wins in their first seven games of the 2022 season, playing one of the state's toughest schedules.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, the second win of the season came on Friday night in a crucial region 6-AAAAA battle against county rival Cane Bay. The Gators came away with a 36-21 win over the Cobras, which came into the game with a 5-1 record. Goose Creek's victory enhances their chances of winning a fourth consecutive region championship if they can finish strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading the way in that victory was 2023 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='91143' first='Drew' last='Moore']. The Mercer University commit surpassed 300 passing yards for the second consecutive game, completing 22-of-33 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a rushing score. Moore (6-3, 180) has topped 1,300 passing yards in seven games and has 15 touchdown passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other top passing performances in week eight included Philip Simmons 2025 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='502413' first='Tavien' last='Orellana']</strong> (182 yards, 2 TD), Summerville 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='262638' first='Campbell' last='McCurry'] (204 yards, 3 TD, TD rush), and James Island 2023 <strong>Liam Nixon</strong> (154 yards, 2 TD).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goose Creek 2023 receiver <strong>Troy Reid</strong> had eight receptions for 147 yards and two scores. Rising 2026 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='473027' first='Meliq' last='McGowan'], a running back, rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Summerville 2024 receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='998693' first='Quintrelle' last='Pettiford']</strong> continues to show his playmaking ability on the perimeter. Pettiford caught four passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-13 win over West Ashley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the state's top 2024 prospects, athlete [player_tooltip player_id='340394' first='Troy' last='Stevenson'] of Philip Simmons, totaled 109 all-purpose yards and returned an interception for a touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodland 2024 running back <strong>Jaiden Gardner</strong> rushed for 183 yards and two touchdowns in a key region 5-AA win over Wade Hampton to keep the Wolverines undefeated at 8-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 linebacker <strong>Aaron Pulliam</strong> of Woodland tallied 13 tackles in that win. Other top defensive performers in the area included Summerville 2024 linebacker <strong>Ike Rutherford</strong> (13 tackles, 2,5 TFL, sack), Lucy Beckham 2024 linebacker <strong>Evan Hawsey (</strong>9 tackles, 3 TFL, sack), and 2024 linebacker<strong> Josh Youngblood</strong> of Berkeley (10 tackles, 4 TFL).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->