The 49ers High School Player of the Week Award for week 3 goes to Steve Bentley from Casa Grande High School in Petaluma.
The defensive back played a pivotal role in the Gauchos homecoming victory over rival Montgomery High School, 21-7. Bentley returned two interceptions for touchdowns and helped his squad improve to 3-0 on the season.
Bentley's first interception came in the second quarter, after making an athletic play on a tipped pass. The junior then sped 71 yards down the sideline for the score. The second interception came a quarter later when Bentley decided to take a less direct route to the endzone, switching directions and cutting back through traffic several times, in route to a 64 yard return for a touchdown.
"It was as good of a return as I've seen at this level," said Casa Grande Head Coach Trent Herzog on his player's athletic play. "He broke three or four tackles and zigged and zagged down the field, after making a great read on the ball."
Bentley is no stranger with the football in his hands, after starting at quarterback for both the freshman and junior varsity teams during his first two years of high school. Herzog says Bentley is both a very athletic and a very smart player. The student athlete boasts a near 3.5 grade point average which carries over onto the field.
The 49ers honor Casa Grande defensive back Steve Bentley as this week's High School Player of the Week.
As the home school of the 49ers High School Player of the Week, Casa Grande High School will receive a $500 grant for their football program. Bentley will receive a 49ers hat and t-shirt, a certificate signed by 49ers Head Coach Mike Singletary, two tickets to a 49ers home game and recognition on 49ers.com. At the end of the season, Bentley will be invited to the 49ers Training Facility to accept a trophy recognizing his achievement.
