The Pigskin Award was created back in 1995 as recognition for excellence in high school football here in Rutherford County. Having long featured fantastic performers on the gridiron, past winners reads like a who’s who in Rutherford County football. Coaches like Philip Shadowens, Don Thomas, and Kevin Creasy are joined on the list by playing legends like Larry Daniels, Luke Powell, Jack Jones, Itavius Mathers, and Sonny Gray.

  The 2024 Pigskin goes to a very deserving Stewarts Creek head coach Ben Caudill. In this, his fifth season at the Creek, Caudill guided the Red Hawks to the best season in school history. Achievements during the 2024 season include an 11-2 overall record, a first ever region title, the first post season wins ever, a trip to the state playoff quarterfinals, and the school’s first ever win over rival Smyrna.

  Hard work and complete dedication to his program yielded a huge amount of success for Caudill. Always about the greater good, Caudill is quick to give credit to those who surrounded him during this historic season at the Creek.

  “It all starts with having unselfish players that are willing to be coached and are dedicated to the team”, says a humble Caudill. “Our coaching staff did an excellent job of molding this group into a team. I can’t say enough about this group of seniors for their leadership and our coaching staff for the job they have done.”

  As this historic season played out, different performers stepped up. An offense that featured two 1,000 yard rushers, a defense that time and again made plays including a game clinching stand in overtime against Brentwood in the second round of the playoffs, and a special teams unit that thrived in critical situations, all had one thing in common. That was a head coach committed to making his kids successful.

  “It’s a real honor to receive this award, but this about way more than this season”, says Caudill. “This senior class leaves as the winningest group in school history. This speaks to how far we have come as a program. There has been a lot of hard work and I am really appreciative of the opportunity Stewarts Creek has given me and can’t say enough about the group effort behind winning this award.”