When Coastal Carolina rolls into Columbia to play USC at noon, Saturday, two Chanticleers will be coming home.

Tay Pringle and Corbin Small played football at Brookland-Cayce High School. And both are on the Coastal Carolina football team.

“I look forward to coming back,” said Pringle, “BC will always be home.” Small said it may be a little weird. “I’m excited, but it will be a little crazy playing against South Carolina,” since he grew up as a fan of the Gamecocks. He said he often drove past Williams-Brice Stadium as a BC Bearcat.

Tim Small, Corbin’s father went to USC. He said he just hopes Coastal, a 29.5 point underdog, makes a good showing.

At Coastal, Pringle, who is redshirting this year, is a defensive line player. Small is on the offensive line. And the football history of the two goes back way before Brookland-Cayce. Small said he and Pringle played together in the city recreational league on B Avenue in West Columbia.

“We were seven and eight when we first played together,” said Small, who is a year younger than Pringle. Small played at Northside Middle School and Pringle played middle school football at Busbee Creative Arts Center. But the two were reunited at Brookland-Cayce.

“Corbin and I have a bond,” said Pringle. Small said the two are like blood brothers. “He’s always been there for me and I’ve always been there for him,” said Small. “We push each other in so many ways because we both realize the potential we both have.”