Kyle Schmitt, head coach of the Atholton (Columbia, Md.) varsity football team, has been named Ravens High School Coach of the Week for the third week of the 2009 season. Presented by Toyota, this is the 13th year of the Ravens' award program.
Schmitt, the rookie head coach of the Raiders, earned the honor in the 34-30 victory over rival Wilde Lake on Saturday. Atholton (4-0) has already outpaced its 2008 season, in which the team finished 3-7. Wilde Lake, a state finalist in each of the last two years, fell to 2-2.
Schmitt led the Raiders to a win against a team they had only defeated three times in the last 30 years. Turnovers were costly for both teams, and there were five lead changes during the game. Though Wilde Lake led at halftime, 18-14, Atholton was able to power through.
Senior WR/LB Matt Robinson, already inked to play at the University of Maryland in 2010, was a force on the field, excelling in all three phases of the game. On offense, he finished with eight receptions for 185 yards and a touchdown and scored on a two-point conversion. Defensively, his 39-yard TD on a fumble recovery with 1:22 left on the clock ensured the victory. Though the Wildecats crept back and scored to bring the score to 34-30 with less than a minute to go, Robinson continued his strong play, recovering Wilde Lake's ensuing onside kick.
Schmitt, an offensive lineman who played with both the Minnesota Vikings (2005) and the Arizona Cardinals (2006) during the preseason, along with stints in NFL Europe, brings an NFL mentality to Atholton. His experience strikes well with his Raiders team. Most recently, he was a graduate assistant with Maryland, his alma mater.
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
