Bill Waibel, head coach of the Joppatowne (Joppa, Md.) varsity football team, has been named Ravens High School Coach of the Week for the 10th and final week of the 2009 season. Presented by Toyota, this is the 13th year of the Ravens' award program.
The Mariners defeated Bohemia Manor 49-30 on Friday (11/13), pushing through the first round of the playoffs. Joppatowne (11-0) is one of only four unbeaten teams left in the Baltimore area. The Eagles exited the playoffs with a 7-4 record.
Joppatowne allowed a season-high 30 points in the game, but the offense fought through, en route to scoring its own season-high 49 points. Mariners turnovers in the first half were quickly turned into points, and the team found itself down 24-20 at the half.
"We had three turnovers in the first half, and it gave them a short field," Waibel acknowledged. "But we were able to take care of the football in the second half and make adjustments on the offensive line, as far as blocking schemes go. We challenged our team to go out and play to our ability."
The Mariners held Bohemia Manor to six points in the second half, and the team had an opening 80-yard drive that turned into a score. On offense, Joppatowne was led by junior RB Epe Henriques, who ran for 292 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries. Senior LB Jake McGinnis had 15 tackles to lead the defense.
Joppatowne will face Havre de Grace this Friday (11/20) in the regional finals. The Mariners beat the Warriors soundly, 35-0, just over three weeks ago in regular season play.
"The biggest job of ours is to have a good, solid week of preparation," Waibel said about the upcoming matchup. "My job is to convince the players to respect our opponent and know they're good enough to beat us if we don't play well. Havre de Grace has obviously played well since our game. Our kids realize they may have had an off night and they're capable."
Waibel is in his sixth year as head football coach at Joppatowne. But the 24-year coaching veteran admits he owes his coaching prowess to his father, the legendary Augie Waibel, who coached in Baltimore City for over 30 years and was named the inaugural Ravens High School Coach of the Year in 1997.
Waibel explained: "First of all, there's not a coach in the state that had a better mentor than me - as a high school coach and as a father. Not only did I learn a lot about football, with regard to X's and O's, but I learned how to treat kids, respect my opponents, love football and give back to the game."
Each week during the season, the Ravens honor a high school coach who has made a significant impact on his athletes. Each of the season's weekly winners will be present at the Ravens–Lions home game on Dec. 13, for the naming of the Ravens' High School Coach of the Year.
A panel of area high school experts selects the coach of the week. The recipients receive:
- A $2,000 donation to the school's football program
- An award certificate signed by Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
- A specially-designed hat
2009 Ravens HS Coach of the Week Recipients
Week 1: Corey Johnson, Patterson
Week 2: James McCormick, North Caroline
Week 3: Kyle Schmitt, Atholton
Week 4: Lawrence Smith, Dunbar
Week 5:Donald Davis, Calvert Hall
Week 6: Mark Junker, Chesapeake
Week 7: Rick Conner, Linganore
Week 8: Brian Van Deusen, River Hill
Week 9: Jeff Herrick, Broadneck
Week 10: Bill Waibel, Joppatowne
