2023 Preview: Myrtle Beach Seahawks

As Mickey Wilson was rattling off the qualities of the returning starters he's bringing back en masse on defense, he changed gears and got specific.    “We've got tons of experience coming back on that side of the ball,” Wilson said of a unit that brings back eight starters and three more who have extensive experience. "Basically our whole secondary is back minus one guy. Our whole linebacking corps is back. Three of the four defensive lineman are coming back. That gets you excited any time you have that much experience. But, guys like [player_tooltip player_id='605530' first='Israel' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='395980' first='Ashton' last='Keith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='267459' first='Ricky' last='Escobar'] are going to have to make big plays for us.”   The coach with a penchant for big offenses and deep playoff runs got neither in 2022. The Seahawks were hampered by injuries and inexperience at quarterback, throwing for less yards than another other Myrtle Beach since Wilson took over in 2019.   Not coincidentally, the Seahawks also posted their first losing record (5-7) and were knocked out of the playoffs in the second round. There are still a ton of questions on offense, as first-year quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1254177' first='Gibson' last='Goodroe'] didn't even play football a year ago, three of the team's offensive line starters will be fresh faces and all but two receivers are new to the varsity ranks.   In the last few months, though, the writing has been on the wall. The Myrtle Beach defense, on paper at least, looks as good as they have in even some of the team's state championship years.   Back on the line are Sincere Bellamy and Trace Bower and Patrick St. John. Escobar, a starter as a sophomore, is back in uniform and healthy after missing all of last season - something that completes a linebacking unit that also features [player_tooltip player_id='1267229' first='Antonio' last='Brown'] and Keith. Defensive backs Shamond Sutton, [player_tooltip player_id='605530' first='Israel' last='Brown'] and Derrell Holmes? Yeah, they're all returning, too.   That side of the ball is expected to carry the weight for a bit. If that happens and the offense has time to correct the self-inflicted wounds it created in 2022, no one expects a second losing record under Wilson.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='402500' first='Malachi' last='Washington'] RB, 2024 - The 5-foot-7, 150-pound tailback is known for his speed and maybe even an overeagerness to try to run through people instead of around them. If that changes, his 1,361 yards and 17 touchdowns from last year could actually increase.   [player_tooltip player_id='208344' first='Brady' last='Pickett'] OL, 2024 - The three-year starter is taking over at left tackle full time now, and considering the offseason he's had, there's no reason to think he won't be suiting up on Saturday's next year.    [player_tooltip player_id='267459' first='Ricky' last='Escobar'] LB, 2024 - Back in uniform after missing his junior season with a torn ACL, Escobar's return not only softens the blow from losing Shrine Bowl linebacker Michael Gillard, it allows several players to get back into their natural positions.    [player_tooltip player_id='272701' first='John' last='Simmons'] WR, 2025 - Also a three-year starter, Simmons is a big kid (6-foot-4 and 185 pounds) who will see a steadily increasing number of targets as the season wears on. He's not a blazer, but certainly has the ability to make defenders miss or shoo them away.   [player_tooltip player_id='395980' first='Ashton' last='Keith'] LB, 2025 - Keith (pictured) was very much the player who set the table last year. Even though he doesn't pile up a ton of tackles, the energy he brings to the field often means he's taking on multiple blockers and opening up opportunities for teammates to make the stop.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Mike Gillard LB - Gillard was at times sensational for a piecemeal defense. He earned the aforementioned invitation to the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and ended the season with 118.5 total tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss.   Cam Ward LB/RB - For the better part of the last three seasons, Ward was starting or getting high reps at tailback while also busting up defenses as a linebacker with a high blitz rate.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Patrick St. John DL, 2024 - Able to play both tackle and end, St. John has the capability of becoming a steady playmaker in the defensive front seven.   Logan Gauze OL, 2024 - After moving from guard to center, the 6-foot-1, 260-pound lineman is going to be largely responsible for getting the passing game back on track.   [player_tooltip player_id='1254177' first='Gibson' last='Goodroe'] QB, 2025 - A three-year varsity baseball player and former JV receiver, Goodroe didn't play football at all last season. However, he's impressed the staff with his arm strength and athleticism. Now, he gets the keys to the offense.

As Mickey Wilson was rattling off the qualities of the returning starters he's bringing back en masse on defense, he changed gears and got specific.