FORT MILL, S.C. (WBTV) — A well-known figure in South Carolina football has taken the reins of the varsity football team at Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill. Jake Bentley, the former Gamecock quarterback, was officially introduced as the school’s new head coach on Wednesday, January 8.
On social media, Bentley expressed his excitement about the new role, stating on x, “Blessed and thankful to begin this new chapter as Head Coach for Falcons Football. Incredible first day! We are going to build something special here!!”
Bentley’s football journey includes four years at South Carolina, where he started in three of those seasons.
His standout moment came during the 2017 season, his sophomore year, when he led the Gamecocks to a 9-4 record and a win in the Outback Bowl. However, after his impressive 2017 campaign, injuries hindered Bentley’s performance in the following two years, and he eventually transferred to Utah in 2020.
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Gamecocks Aim to Rebound Against No. 2 Auburn
Good afternoon from Colonial Life Arena in South Carolina, where the Gamecocks (10-5, 0-2 SEC) are set to face the No. 2-ranked Auburn Tigers (14-1, 2-0 SEC) this Saturday. Tip-off is at 1 p.m. ET, with doors opening at noon for fans. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network.
This marks the sixth time this season that South Carolina will face a top-25 opponent, with Auburn being the third consecutive ranked team for the Gamecocks. However, South Carolina will be without two key players for this matchup. Senior guard Jamarii Thomas is out after suffering a right knee sprain in practice on Friday night. He’s expected to miss 3-4 weeks, a significant blow to the Gamecocks’ lineup. Additionally, Myles Stute will also be sidelined for this game.
Auburn enters the game riding a seven-game winning streak, the seventh-longest active streak in the nation. The Tigers have had the upper hand in their recent meetings with South Carolina, winning their last seven matchups, including a dominant 86-55 victory over the Gamecocks in the SEC Quarterfinals on March 15, 2024.
Despite the challenge, South Carolina has performed well at home against top-25 opponents this season. They hold a 1-1 record, with an exciting 91-88 overtime win over No. 25 Clemson on December 17. The Gamecocks will be looking to break Auburn’s streak and secure a much-needed win as they continue their SEC campaign.
After this game, South Carolina will hit the road for their next two SEC matchups, heading to Vanderbilt on Wednesday and facing No. 17/16 Oklahoma next Saturday. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach tip-off.
