Boaz Yakin Director Denzel Washington Coach Boone Actor Will Patton Coach Yoast Actor Donald Faison Petey Jones Actor Wood Harris Big Ju Actor Ryan Hurst Bertier Actor Kate Bosworth Emma Hoyt Actor Ethan Suplee Lewis Lastik Actor Nicole Ari Parker Carol Boone Actor Kip Pardue Sunshine Actor Craig Kirkwood Rev Actor Burgess Jenkins Ray Budds Actor Earl Poitier Blue Stanton Actor Ryan Gosling Alan Bosley Actor Sharon Blackwood Nurse Allice Actor David Jefferson Cook Actor Stuart Greer Assistant Coach Actor Lucinda Jenney Arleen Yoast (uncredited) Actor Neal Ghant Glascoe Actor Kelly Cheston White girl No. 2 Actor Hayden Panettiere Sheryl Yoast Actor Brett Rice Coach Tyrell Actor Gerrit Hamilton chain gang member Actor Preston Brant Jerry Buck Actor John Michael Weatherly Kirk Barker Actor Aaron Weiler protester, reporter Actor Gregory Alan Williams Coach Paul 'Doc' Hines Actor Krysten Leigh Jones Nicky Boone Actor Scott Miles Fred Alderson Actor Gregory Allen Howard Writer Jerry Bruckheimer Producer Chad Oman Producer Mike Stenson Executive Producer Michael Flynn Executive Producer Philippe Rousselot Cinematographer Deborah Evans Production Design Michael Tronick Film Editing Judy L. Ruskin Costume Design Trevor Rabin Music Kathy Nelson Music Supervisor Bob Badami Music Supervisor Ronna Kress Casting Jonathan Short Art Director Anne Kuljian Set Decoration Emanuel Millar Key Hair Stylist Lynne Eagan Key Makeup Artist Sarah Mays Assistant Makeup Artist Tom Luse Production Manager Randy Fletcher First Assistant Director