Bluffton’s Cam Bent named to Palmetto Champions all-star squad

Bluffton running back Cam Bent has been named to the South Carolina Football Coaches Association’s “Palmetto Champions” all-star team, becoming the first area player in five years to receive the prestigious designation.

Bent, who has touchdowns this season via rushing, receiving and kickoff return, was honored as the Lower State’s top back in Class 3A. The Palmetto Champions roster honors one back, one lineman and one coach at Upper and Lower State in each classification, plus one special-teams player in each division.

“I’m sure happy for him,” Bluffton coach Ken Cribb said. “He’s a good kid, works hard. He’s a good player.”

Used sparingly in the early season as he worked his way back from knee surgery, Bent’s speed has been on display in multiple ways as the season has progressed for the 8-0 Bobcats.

He took back a Beaufort kickoff 94 yards for a TD to turn the momentum in that contest and scored what proved to be the winning points against Hilton Head with a 95-yard pass from Hunter Eldridge.

From the 24-man all-star team, the association will come back after Thanksgiving to name the state’s top lineman, back, special-teams player and coach. Those usually are announced at the SCFCA’s awards banquet, but that has been canceled for 2016 as the playoffs, courtesy of Hurricane Matthew, extend to the weekend before Christmas.

Bent is the first Palmetto Champions player from the area since three made the 2011 roster — Ridgeland lineman Wesley Scott, Beaufort kicker Kyle Clark and Whale Branch return man Josh Fields. Hilton Head Island coach B.J. Payne was a coaching honoree last year, and Cribb made the list in 2010.

This story was originally published November 1, 2016 at 7:50 AM with the headline "Bluffton’s Cam Bent named to Palmetto Champions all-star squad."