Two Cheatham County Central High School standout football players – Landon Barnes and Benton Puckett – signed Wednesday, Feb. 7 with Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas.
Both were three-year starters for the Cubs, and they helped lead CCCHS to three consecutive state playoff appearances.
Barnes, the team’s quarterback, was selected to the All-Region 6-3A team his junior season and named the region’s Most Valuable Offensive Player his senior season.
"We are excited to have Landon join our program. Not only is he a great player, he is a leader both on the field and in the classroom. He is exactly what we look for in a quarterback,” says Terry Harrison, the head football coach at Bethel.
Puckett, a linebacker, was named to the All-Region team both his junior and senior seasons.
"Benton's toughness and grit are what stand out most on film. He will have an opportunity to come in and compete at a high level,” says Harrison of Puckett.
Bethel College competes in the 12-school Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference and the NAIA.
"Both of these young men were really impressive on their visit. They are respectful young men. What Coach Hatley and his staff is doing at Cheatham County is exactly what we preach here at Bethel College. We want high character kids who want to earn a meaningful degree. These two young men fit that mold and also happen to be great football players. We couldn't be more excited about them joining our program,” Harrison adds.