The Nation Ford Falcons football team looks to continue to soar under second year head coach Jake Bentley in 2026.
Nation Ford returns this season after finishing 4-7 last year and falling to Greenville in the first round of the 5A playoffs. The Falcons are now dropping back down to 4A this season for the first time since the 2015-2016 school year.
The Falcons return under Bentley in a new region as part of Region 3-4A.
“New region will be great competition,” Bentley said. “We will have a team that flies around. I am looking forward to seeing how we improve from year one to year two. We are better physically and culturally.”
One thing that is coming down to the wire for Nation Ford is who will be their starting quarterback. That battle is between Asher Beck, who played quarterback some last year, and Ben Falkner for the position.
“They are still battling it out,” he said.
Nation Ford lost a lost when it comes to their receiving core from last year. They will have to rely on new players to step up this season at receiver and in the backfield to make a difference for the offense.
Defensively, the Falcons have brought in a new defensive coordinator in Dennis Stokes. The Nation Ford defense allowed roughly 34 points a game last season, as Bentley is hoping that improves this year under Stokes.
He said that neither the defense or offense is ahead of the other and they are about equal.
“When one has a good day, then the other one will respond the next day,” he said. “That is what you want to see. You want to see how they will respond.”
Nation Ford’s non-region schedule consists of games at home against Gilbert and Fort Mill and road games at Ridge View. They will have Region 3-4A home games against Clover, York, and Indian Land; while being on the road at Lake Wylie, South Pointe, and Catawba Ridge.
The 2026 season will open at home on Friday, Aug. 21 against the Gilbert Indians.
Before then Nation Ford is scheduled to play in the Battle of the Border Jamboree on Friday, Aug. 14 at 8 p.m. at Catawba Ridge High School. They are scheduled to play the second of three scrimmages slated for that day in the event, where they will take on Cuthbertson Cavaliers.
2026 Nation Ford football schedule (* = Region 3-4A games)
Aug. 21 vs. Gilbert
Aug. 28 at South Pointe*
Sept. 4 at Lugoff-Elgin
Sept. 11 at Ridge View
Sept. 18 vs. Fort Mill
Sept. 25 vs. Clover*
Oct. 2 at Lake Wylie*
Oct. 9 at Catawba Ridge*
Oct. 15 vs. York*
Oct. 22 Bye
Oct. 30 vs. Indian Land*
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
