Seminole Ridge High School senior quarterback Shane Goolsby is on a mission for the Hawks this summer, and it is evident in his commitment to the team.
Goolsby has played in the shadows of standout graduate Kaimyn Castilla for the last two seasons, but Goolsby has used that time to contribute when needed, while honing his craft.
“I learned as much as I could from him and getting reps when possible,” Goolsby explained. “I aspire to be a leader like he was and putting everything on the line for my teammates this season.”
Kicking off spring football a bit under the radar, Goolsby turned many heads with his recent spring jamboree performance where the Hawks faced Archbishop McCarthy and Cardinal Newman high schools. The Hawks won handily against Archbishop McCarthy and dropped a one-point contest against Cardinal Newman by going for the win with a two-point conversion attempt at the end of the game.
The Hawks launched a balanced attack of grinding the football on the ground with occasional aerial strikes orchestrated by Goolsby.
“The spring game was a great opportunity for me to show what the team and I have been working for,” Goolsby said. “It certainly pulled me from the shadows of the last two years, and it brings me the opportunity to do great things for my team.”
Concluding the school year, Goolsby hasn’t let up. He has continued his quest for greatness occupying the weight room and training.
“Summer, for me, has been lots of weight room, conditioning and some mental drills all meshed together to make me a better player,” he said.
Goolsby credits his coaches for creating summer workouts for the team and providing hands-on assistance, which has helped make their relationships stronger.
“Personally, coach [Rick] Casko has been especially impactful on me,” Goolsby said. “As the quarterback coach, he’s the one I spend the most time with. Not only has he made me a better passer, but a better leader, preparing me for situations on the field.”
Casko has been pleased with Goolsby’s ability to step up.
“Shane is stepping in. We lost an outstanding quarterback last year, but Shane really did a good job,” Casko said of Goolsby’s spring performance. “We’re seeing growth, and he threw the ball extremely well.”
Goolsby commended the other players for stepping up to maintain team chemistry when faced with adversity, as player injuries hurt the team in the spring. “Our guys have done a phenomenal job stepping up,” he said.
Goolsby will look to link up with his corps of receivers — Brandon Schabert, Logan Feuerback, Louchy Tessono and Dustyn Jordan. They are sure to be his main targets when practice for the fall season begins July 29.
“My only goal on the agenda for me is to put everything on the line for my team,” he said. “I’ll be playing this year as if it’s my last, and I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”
