2026 Preview: Goose Creek Gators

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions through July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe">Simply head to our subscription page</a> and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.   Jamie Fordham has been a part of the Goose Creek coaching staff since 2015, serving in different capacities including the B-Team, JV squad and most recently, the varsity running backs coach.   Now, the former standout running back at Coastal Carolina University gets the opportunity to lead his alma mater in 2026 as the head coach, and it's an opportunity to give back to the community that gave so much to him.   “It's always been home for me, man," Fordham said at the Prep RedZone Media Day at Philip Simmons earlier this month. "And it just seems like God opens doors at certain times and sometimes you just have to prepare yourself along the way to walk through those doors when they do open. I was given a great opportunity to lead these young men and try to help cultivate them not only as players, but as men."   The familiar face in the program has been welcomed by everyone and senior defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1823677' first='Elijah' last='Mack Jr'] is excited about what Fordham brings.   “It's almost a best friend as a coach having him being on me," Mack said. "(It's) just like having a father figure being on me, too so he's been right there through the hard times and the good ones so it's been alright."   Fordham says the offense will look to spread things out more in 2026 and get the ball to the playmakers. The Gators return six starters on the offensive side of the ball, with a senior laden group up front with Ettiene Reynolds at left guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1816327' first='Blain' last='Boulanger'] at center, Jared McNeil at right guard and [player_tooltip player_id='1115455' first='Jadon' last='Pringle-Jackson'] at right tackle. Josh Bing will be a senior at wide receiver and Kameran Vice will be a junior at the wide out spot along with [player_tooltip player_id='1686726' first='Trey' last='Spells'].   The defense also returns six starters, led by some experience up front with junior defensive tackles Teandre Burgess and Mark Wright while Donovan Brown is expected to get the start at defensive end. Su'Kari Wright will start at sam linebacker while Jonathan Mantey will anchor the middle linebacker spot. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1817674' first='Guy' last='Simmons'] is expected to start at corner along with senior [player_tooltip player_id='2092993' first='Christian' last='Brown'].   Fordham told us the main goal on that side of the ball is for things to be simplified so the guys aren't having to think as much and they can focus on playing and execution.   As the 2026 season opener approaches at home against Stall, while progress has been made during the offseason from a winless campaign in 2025, Fordham recognizes there is still more work to do.   “We can't hang our hats on what we've done. It's about consistent growth and constantly moving forward," Fordham said. "And I think we're just trying to increase our intensity a little bit, man. I told them, we're going to challenge them and put them in adverse situations so it becomes our norm. And so, that's the thing now, just making sure that we're able to respond the right way when we get put into certain situations.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1823677' first='Elijah' last='Mack Jr'] DL, 2027 – Mack holds down the fort from his defensive tackle spot. He has good size and can clog up run lanes and has a good first step off the line of scrimmage that allows him to be active. He told us at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Philip Simmons that he excels at rushing off the edge as well. “I'm a little unranked and unknown but I feel I can take on anybody in the state,” Mack said. The team has been to 7-on-7s at The Citadel and South Carolina and watching everyone compete has been beneficial for the team, according to Mack. He's also visited Anderson and North Greenville this summer.   Mack on what he wants to see from the team heading into 2026: “(We want) everybody playing as one. One sound, one heartbeat. Just everybody playing together.”   [player_tooltip player_id='1816318' first='Sincere' last='Lewis'] RB, 2028 – Lewis will be one of the leaders for the Gators' offense in 2026 with his ability to get the tough yards. If he can find room on the outside, it could be for a big gain. He told us at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Philip Simmons that he's really explosive and hard to tackle and that it takes multiple guys to tackle him at times.   On new coach Fordham: “I would say it's great. He's like a father figure to me. He's always been there through thick and thin. I'm willing to stick with him through whatever we've got going on.”   Canaan Williams LB, 2027 – We expect WIlliams to have an impact at linebacker for the Gators in 2026 with his ability to rush off the edge and bring the fight to an opposing offensive linemen. His reaction speed and the angles that he takes to the ball are some of the attributes that stand out. When he gets to the quarterback, he won't miss the tackle and he finishes plays well.   Kiyathe Hughes-Richardson DB, 2027 – Hughes-Richardson has the physicality you need at the defensive back position. He can stick it to receivers with tight man-to-man coverage on the outside and can move from sideline to sideline with him. His play recognition skills, particularly against Wando last year were excellent in that he had good eyes and didn't get caught with his eyes in the backfield, they were on his assignment.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1051659' first='Hayden' last='Denmark'] SS/LB, 2028 – The thing that stands out about Denmark when turning on the film is his ability to play out in space. He has great speed going from sideline to sideline. He can also defeat blocks against opposing receivers and be physical with them to get the runner in the backfield or limit the play to a short gain. He has great speed and can diagnose plays quickly and has a motor that is always running.    UP-AND-COMING REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1626948' first='Tyler' last='Holmes'] QB, 2029 – Holmes hasn't seen time on Friday nights but will get his opportunity as the Gators' projected starting quarterback. He's been developing through the 7-on-7 circuit and should be the quarterback of the future since he's only a sophomore and will grow with game experience.   Isaiah Davis OL, 2029 – Davis is expected to get the start on the offensive line heading into his sophomore season. He will get a taste of what it's like playing on Friday night and with a new offense, having him gel with the other linemen will be key.    McCoy is a young sophomore who is expected to get the start at receiver. Another guy who hasn't seen much playing time on Friday nights will get his opportunity in 2026.   He told us at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Philip Simmons that he is good at getting out into space and making plays, which will be beneficial to an offense that wants to spread the ball out and get the ball to the playmakers.

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions through July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. Simply head to our subscription page and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.