For the second year in a row, Columbia superstar Tra Lewis headlines the 2025 Gridiron Players of the Year as Marion County’s Most Valuable Player.
Lewis, who played running back and linebacker for the state champion Wildcats, earned Jones Ready Mix MVP honors by sweeping all of the rushing categories in the county, leading the way in carries (191), yards (1,397), touchdowns (19) and yards per game (93), while also leading the county in total tackles with 168. His 17 tackles for loss were second best in the county, and he had three interceptions, three sacks, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and fumble recovery, 12 pressures, two blocked extra points and two defensive touchdowns. If that wasn’t enough, he also was top-10 in receiving for the county, hauling in 19 receptions for 215 yards and three touchdowns.
Lewis was also recently named a first-team Small Town All-American by MaxPreps, recognizing him as one of the top linebackers in the country hailing from a small town.
Earning second-place honors for Jones Ready Mix MVP is East Marion’s Elias “Big Baby” Johnson.
Taking home the hardware for Alfa Insurance-Wiley Cleland Offensive Player of the Year is Columbia quarterback Clydarrien Peters. Peters, who didn’t take over quarterback duties until Week 2 of the season, was a do-it-all threat for the Wildcats. On top of completing 76 passes for 1,196 yards and 15 touchdowns, leading the county with a 67% completion rate, he trailed only Lewis with 1,205 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. His 9.8 yards per carry were tops in the county.
Placing second for Alfa Insurance-Wiley Cleland Offensive Player of the Year is Columbia Academy’s Bentley Myers.
Despite missing three games this season, West Marion linebacker James Lee was so dominant for the Trojans defense that he earns the nod for Reagan’s Corner Defensive Player of the Year. He was a force both in the heart of the Trojans defense as well as off the edge, leading the county in tackles for loss (22) and sacks (nine) in just eight games. His 17 pressures were third best in Marion County, and he also had 59 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Finishing second in the voting for Reagan’s Corner Defensive Player of the Year is Columbia Academy’s Carson Daniels.
The Ward’s Breakout Star of the Year, which is awarded to the top first-year starter or player who made the biggest year-over-year leap, goes to West Marion freshman Brayson Pittman. Pittman flashed enormous potential from the word “go” for the Trojans, finding the end zone 11 times on just 29 touches. He only had 12 carries for the Trojans, but he turned that into three rushing touchdowns. He really shined as a receiver, leading the county with 24.8 yards per reception, turning 17 receptions into 418 yards and eight touchdowns. He also played a role on defense with 18 tackles, two tackles for loss and two pass breakups.
Coming in second for the Ward’s Breakout Star of the Year, which proved to be the closest vote of the five awards, is Columbia Academy’s Cash James.
Rounding out the award winners is Columbia’s Drew Bilderback, who takes home the TMH, Inc. Lunch Pail award. The award is designed to recognize players who may not show up on the stat sheet but make a significant contribution with their play on the field and their leadership off of it. These players are the ones who “bring their lunch pails to work.”
Bilderback, who had 22 tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks and 13 pressures as a defensive end for the Wildcats, was nominated for his selflessness within Columbia’s offense as a tight end. Despite playing more than half of Columbia’s offensive snaps, he had just four catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns as he was asked to effectively serve as an extra lineman on the edge, blocking for Columbia’s vaunted rushing attack. The Wildcats ran for more than 4,000 yards and 58 touchdowns, averaging more than seven yards per carry, which wouldn’t have been possible without the unsung contributions of Bilderback.
Placing second for the TMH, Inc. Lunch Pail award is Columbia Academy’s Fletcher Rawls.
Each of the award winners will be presented with a plaque and will take a picture with the sponsor of their award, which will appear on the front page of a future edition of the C-P.
