AL.com takes home 7 Alabama Sports Writer’s Association awards

The team at 205focus.com is proud to highlight the exceptional work of our colleagues who were honored at the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s 54th annual convention this past Sunday in Jacksonville. A total of seven awards were secured, showcasing excellence in storytelling, reporting, and enterprise journalism.

Celebrating Excellence in Reporting

Creg Stephenson led the way with two first-place honors. He took home the top prize for "best football story" for his deep dive into the 2005 Iron Bowl, alongside a "best enterprise/explanatory story" win for his retrospective on Nick Saban’s iconic 2015 "tin horn" rant. Additionally, Stephenson earned second place for his impressive Bama 100 series, which chronicled 100 years of history since Alabama’s 1925 national title.

Ben Thomas dominated the column category, taking first place for a poignant series covering the cancer battle and life of Sid Hobbs. His award-winning collection also featured pieces on Philip Rivers, the AHSAA private-public split, and a deeply personal reflection on his father's passing. Thomas also secured a second-place finish in the "Best Breaking News Story" category for his coverage of Williamson’s 100-0 high school football victory over Murphy.

Top Honors in Feature Writing

Thomas Ashworth captured first place for "best softball story" regarding Daigle Wilson’s inspirational role in Orange Beach's 2025 AHSAA championship run. He also earned second place in "best football story (general)" for his spotlight on Montgomery Academy kicker Rob Ashworth and his unique charitable fundraiser supporting Alzheimer’s research.

Rounding out the recognition, Christopher Walsh of Bama Central received the prestigious Herby Kirby Award for story of the year for his comprehensive series, "Passion, Tradition and Pride: Why the SEC Says ‘It Just Means More.'"