AMERICUS —
A long recruiting ride for Americus-Sumter senior signal caller Bryce Benton ended on Wednesday when he signed a letter of intent to played for Reinhardt University in Waleska, Georgia. Benton, who led the Panthers to a 4-6 record this season will compete to be the starting signal quarterback for the Eagles in 2013 while furthering his education at the college level.
Benton was recently named the Americus Times-Recorder All-Area quarterback for 2012 after throwing for more than 1,300 yards and eight touchdowns during his senior campaign. One of the most appealing attributes that Benton possesses is his ability to flee the pocket and pick up yards with his legs as well as his arm. The dual threat Benton rushed for over 400 yards in 2012 and added two rushing touchdowns to his passing statistics, making him even more enticing to colleges. Benton started two seasons at quarterback for the Panthers after transferring from Newnan High School following his sophomore year, and the Panthers loss will be a hug gain for the Reinhardt Eagles in 2013.
This fall Reinhardt will begin their inaugural football season as a member of the Mid-South Conference with NAIA football powers such as Georgetown (Ky.), Bethel University (Tenn.), and the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.). Reinhardt will be the only representative from Georgia in the Mid-South Conference, and the Eagles will compete in the West Division of the conference against Belhaven University (Jackson, Miss.), Bethel University (McKenzie, Tenn.), Campbellsville (Ky.) University, Cumberland University (Lebanon, Tenn.), Faulkner University (Montgomery, Ala.) and Lindsey Wilson College (Columbia, Ky.). The Eagles will face tough competition in their first season as four of their division rivals finished at least 4-2 in the conference, with Bethel winning the West Division with a perfect 6-0 record.
Benton will have an opportunity to carve his name into the Reinhardt football history books as they start up their program. Benton, however, knows that there is more to being a student-athlete in college than just sports. “I loom forward to getting to know the coaching staff more at Reinhardt, and I also look forward to moving on academically in my life. I know Reinhardt is a great school to continue on to and I believe I can be successful there both on and off the football field,” Benton said.
When asked what he would miss most about being and Americus-Sumter Panther, Benton responded, “Putting on that jersey. They say there is nothing like Friday night lights and kicking off at 7:30, but I am also really looking forward to moving on to a new mission in my life.”
As for now, the two-sport Panther star will gear up for the rapidly approaching Panther baseball season. Benton will lead a solid group of returning players this season as they attempt to chase down a Region 1-AAAA title. A bright future surely awaits Benton in college, but for the time being the talented and polite young star has unfinished business to tend to at Americus-Sumter High School.
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Related Photos
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Pictured (Front Row L to R): mother Amy Benton, Bryce Benton, father Jeff Benton, sister Brooke Benton. Back Row (L to R): Head coach Chris Wade, Principal Walter Knighton, assistant coach Carl Willis, and Athletic Director Coleman Price. Scott Phillips
Benton signs with Reinhardt University
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