The Augusta Sports Council Best of the Gridiron Awards Banquet

The Augusta Sports Council Best of the Gridiron Awards Banquet, presented by Augusta Coca-Cola, the Aiken Standard, and WRDW-TV, took place on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at First Baptist of Augusta inside Fellowship Hall. Our FCS Punter of the Year, James Platte (The Citadel), and our Ray Guy Award winner, Brett Thorson (University of Georgia), received their awards and spoke at the banquet. We also presented the Georgia All-Area First Team Offense and Defense, and the South Carolina All-Area First Team Offense and Defense. Coach of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Punter of the Year were also honored. Three high school student-athletes received $1,000 scholarships.

View the full list of honorees HERE.

• Offensive Player of the Year: Jack Rhodes of Aquinas High School received a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by Augusta Coca-Cola

• Defensive Player of the Year: Jalen McGraw of Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School received a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by F.L. Russell Group

• High School Punter of the Year: Shelton Freeman of Westside High School received a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by the Augusta Sports Council

• Paul Leroy Coach of the Year: Andrew Webb of Strom Thurmond High School, presented by Augusta Coca-Cola

View coverage from WRDW-TV on the event HERE.