Baltimore Raven fans will be smiling late Sunday afternoon if the team’s victorious over defending Super Bowl champs New Orleans Saints at M & T Bank Stadium. But one local high school football coach may feel like he won the Super Bowl.
The Ravens will announce their Coach of the Year recipient between the third and fourth quarter of Sunday’s contest. The team selected a coach each week during the regular season. The recipient received a $2,000 donation to his football program, a certificate signed by Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, and a specially-designed Coach of the Week hat.
Here are the nominees.
Week 1-Steve Turnbaugh, Hereford: Trailing 14-0 entering fourth quarter, Bulls rallied with two touchdowns to force overtime, and won 17-14. Hereford didn’t lose another game in regular season before falling into Class 3A North Region playoffs.
Week 2-Biff Poggi, Gilman School: Greyhounds routed perennial state and mid-Atlantic region powerhouse DeMatha Catholic, 35-10, to claim the state’s No. 1 ranking. Gilman finished second in MIAA A Conference.
Week 3-Howard Coaching Staff: With head coach Bruce Strunk out due to emergency gall bladder surgery two days before game with Atholton, Lions’ staff guided team to a 32-28 come-from-behind decision. Howard was in contention for 3A East Region playoff spot until final week of regular season.
Week 4-Kyle Schmitt, Atholton: Raiders knocked off River Hill, 10-0, ending the Hawks’ 48-game winning streak against Howard County league opponents. Atholton reached 3A East Region playoffs for second straight season under second-year coach.
Week 5-Ken Brinkman, North Harford: Hawks rallied for 36-35 victory over Fallston, getting two-point conversion in the final seconds. North Harford’s perfect season was ruined in final seconds of 3A North Region finals.
Week 6-Steve Luette, South Carroll: Cavaliers topped Manchester Valley, 35-0, for 7-0 start en route to perfect regular season. South Carroll lost to eventual Class 2A state runner-up Middletown in West Region finals.
Week 7-Damon Bomar, Forest Park: Foresters blanked Southwestern, 41-0, for 8-0 start en route to second straight 10-0 regular season. Forest Park lost to eventual Class 1A state champ Dunbar in South Region finals.
Week 8-Ben Wright, Thomas Johnson: Patriots upended Frederick rival Linganore, snapping 21-game winning streak by then-defending Class 3A champions. Thomas Johnson was edged by Patterson in 4A North Region playoffs.
Week 9-Russ Meyers, Southern: Bulldogs upset then-No. 2 and unbeaten Arundel, securing a 2A South Region playoff berth. Southern lost to Hammond in region semifinals on final play.
Week 10-Anthony Burgos, Franklin: Indians defeated Hereford in 3A North Region semifinals, for first win over Bulls in two decades. Franklin reached first state title game since 1985.
