Born the youngest of three sons to Edward and Vernita Hawkins of Elkart, IN, Edward Cantrell has spent most of his life in Austin, TX. In 2003, he graduated from Reagan High School, where he was a four-sport athlete and a three-year letter man. As a junior, he accepted an offer to play for Mississippi College and, later, Angelo State University, where he earned all-conference honors, multiple Defensive Player of the Week awards, and the Greg Stokes Award, given to players who help in the community while excelling on the field and in the classroom. After his successful college career, Cantrell went on to play professionally for the Austin Turfcats, for whom he set a franchise tackle record (17) and the Amarillo Venom, whom he helped lead to an LSFL championship. During his time with the Venom, Cantrell led the Lone Star division of the IFL by 40 tackles, was the two-time team leading rusher and also lead his team in interceptions. He retired after the 2012 season to become a full-time trainer and coach and in 2014, married Donyea Riles, the love of his life. Cantrell has been coaching at St. Andrew’s since 2010, acting as the middle defensive coordinator, upper school defensive back coach and, now, the upper school assistant strength and conditioning coach.