2026 Preview: West Ashley Wildcats

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>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 throughout 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.&nbsp;</em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe"><em>Simply head to our subscription page</em></a><em>&nbsp;and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Rashad Graham was hired as West Ashley's head football coach in February of 2025, he knew it was going to be a battle to get the Wildcats in a competitive situation. They suffered through a 2-8 season, but offensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816845' first='Marshall' last='Ward']</strong> (pictured above) saw the building blocks being established.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I feel like we have better chemistry,” Ward said at the recent PRZ Media Day at Philip Simmons. “Everyone knows each other better and knows the coaching staff better and it's more like a family. We've gotten bigger and stronger and that's only going to help us. It's all about the weight room and conditioning and we're embracing that better this offseason.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Ashley is going to return 17 starters this season. There will be nine returners on offense, including the entire offensive line. That will leave eight starters returning on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graham was very complimentary of the offensive line. Ward is in the middle of that as the starting center but will be flanked by talent and experience all around him. <strong>Tyler Hunter </strong>and <strong>Jace Graham</strong> will start on the left side with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825499' first='Tramaine' last='Rivers']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2115450' first='Sha'Quan' last='Mulligan']</strong> starting on the right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We're going to look different size-wise but also the way we play. It will be a total change,” Graham said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That should make the skill position players more confident knowing the guys up front have been through the battles before.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824034' first='Chase' last='Towne']</strong> returns at quarterback after taking the majority of snaps last season. He's more settled in after missing all of his sophomore season with an injury and just getting his first playing time on the varsity level last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats brought <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2106771' first='Dre'Quan' last='Goodwine']</strong> up from the junior varsity in the middle of the season and he is firmly entrenched as the starter going into the season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1698491' first='Cooper' last='Welch']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818152' first='Connor' last='Yaden']</strong> bring experience and the ability to stretch the field to the receiving room. <strong>Jamal Jones</strong> and <strong>Spencer Rockers</strong> will be counted as receivers and blockers from the tight end position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense allowed 37 points a game last season and allowed over 40 points three times, including a season-high 65 points in the playoff loss to Summerville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The front three of <strong>Donovan Pinckney</strong> <strong>Wesley Hennett</strong> and Mulligan are going to have to be better against the run. They also will need to free things up so the linebacker group of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2163612' first='Brandon' last='Cawley']</strong> <strong>Sullivan Grieder</strong> and <strong>Zayden Rainey</strong> can make plays all over the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2163588' first='Cooper' last='Fischer']</strong> will be counted on to make plays and make sure everyone is in the right position. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818158' first='Tristan' last='Nelson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1698231' first='Aidreon' last='Barrett-aiken']</strong> have had solid offseasons and are ready to make a leap in play. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1762172' first='Amari' last='Williams']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821680' first='Ki'Rell' last='Manigault']</strong> are two others that will be counted on in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“The biggest thing they've learned is the attention to detail and purpose you must have every single play. I coach like my hair is on fire,” Graham said. “Every play is a win or lose situation. They hear everyone talking. They're ready to set the tone and change some of the thoughts that people may have.”&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824034' first='Chase' last='Towne']</strong> QB, 2027 – Towne took a lot of snaps and took control of the offense down the stretch last season. This came on the heels of him missing his sophomore season and basically learning on the job last year. Towne has a good throwing motion and can tuck it and run if needed. He's way more advanced than he was at this time last year and big things are expected.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Donovan Pinckney</strong> DL, 2027 – Pinckney is a raw talent that should play his best ball this fall. He's bullish and can overpower an offensive tackle or is quick enough to make a move to get around him. He plays with his hand in the dirt and can read and react to a play quickly. He loves contact and can slide down to the interior and make plays in short-yardage situations as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2163612' first='Brandon' last='Cawley']</strong> LB, 2027 – Cawley is a versatile linebacker that makes plays against the run as well as pressure the quarterback in the right situation. He's going to be counted on to make bigger plays than his 44 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks from a season ago. He recovered two fumbles and caused another one with a big hit. Cawley is one of the more experienced players so he's going to be counted on as a leader in more ways than one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2163588' first='Cooper' last='Fischer']</strong> DB, 2027 – When we talked to Ward and Graham at Media Day, Fischer was a name that both brought up for various reasons. They saw leadership and play-making ability last season and think those traits will be enhanced this season. He's a heady play that makes plays against the run and can help with coverage as well. Fischer is a big-time hitter and that will make receivers think about going across the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1698231' first='Aidreon' last='Barrett-aiken']</strong> DB, 2027 – Barrett-Aiken comes downhill quickly and makes a ton of plays against the run. He can read the play quickly and rarely finds himself out of position. He's also a lockdown corner that can play man or zone coverage. He's fearless and doesn't let one bad play turn into two or three bad plays. Barrett-Aiken might help on offense as well, but his primary role is to lead the secondary, cover the opposing team's best receiver and continue to be a solid run-stopper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19868800/6920d5026e314385f62d80f8u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a65fb80c780b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bristol Biegenzahn</strong> DL – The Shrine Bowl selection was the undeniable leader of the defense. He was a menace on the defensive front that made plays at the line of scrimmage as well as the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Deanthony Coleman</strong> RB – Coleman was the leading rusher last season with 451 yards with three touchdowns. He also contributed on defense and his leadership and demeanor will be missed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818152' first='Connor' last='Yaden']</strong> WR, 2028 – Let's face the facts – the Wildcats need to score more than the 17 points per game they averaged last season. A good start is to get solid production from Yaden and the entire receiving corps. He's a 5-foot-11 player that can create separation and will catch anything that comes close. If he can add yards after the catch, he could be ready for a breakout season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2115450' first='Sha'Quan' last='Mulligan']</strong> OL/DL, 2028 – Mulligan is the only player slated to be a two-way starter, but he brings a lot to both sides of the ball. On offense, he's going to be the right tackle and will be able to have the athleticism to block guys coming off the edge. He's a stocky 6-foot, 280 pounds but moves well and can move defenders in the direction he wants them to go. He's going to be able to use that same combination of power and quickness to help make plays on the defensive side of the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2106771"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a65fb80c7f10"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Goodwine started last season on the junior varsity squad but moved up to varsity and started the final five games of the season. He showed great promise with his vision and quickness allowed him to get into the open field for big gains. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The coaching staff called him “lightning in a bottle” and a breakaway threat anytime he touches the ball. He was impressive at the Carolina Coaches Combine in April with his ability to change directions quickly and over strength.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->