Reggie White, head coach of the Milford Mill (Baltimore, Md.) varsity football team, has been named Ravens High School Coach of the Week for the fifth week of the 2008 season. Presented by Toyota, this is the 12th year of the Ravens' award program.
White headed up a Millers' team that defeated Catonsville, 26-17, on Friday (10/3). Milford Mill now sits at 5-0, matching its win total from last season. Catonsville falls to 2-3.
Milford Mill's senior QB Kevin Fulton was impressive with 4 TDs (2 rushing, 2 passing). An early Comets safety did not prove to be costly, as Fulton held his composure and came right back with his first rushing TD of the game.
A Brian Chapman kickoff return for a TD and a Wayne Emerson pick-6 brought Catonsville to within three (20-17) after three quarters, but Milford Mill held strong to shut the opposition down in the final quarter. Fulton extended the lead with a 75-yard TD play to WR Ivan Mitchell.
A combined 20 points was the factor in the team's five losses last year. Headed into the 2008 season, Milford Mill knew that finishing a game would be their task to get over the hump. They have responded with the undefeated record, including two shutouts at Woodlawn and against Kenwood.
"We made a concerted effort to finish games," White acknowledged. "The coaches and players made an agreement - to finish coaching, to not let people sneak by with wins. That was a big focus for us this year."
White is in his sixth season as head coach at Milford Mill and his 11th year coaching overall. This is his second Ravens High School Coach of the Week honor, having previously earned the award as head coach at Woodlawn. The Milford Mill alum was a member of the 1987 Millers team that won the state championship. White went on to play DT in the NFL, including a stint with the Chargers and an appearance in the 1994 AFC Championship win and Super Bowl XXIX. His NFL mentality translates into his daily coaching acumen.
"I was talking to a couple of the players today," White said. "We've won five games, but we're just looking to be 1-0 this Saturday. We prepare hard, we scout hard. We have Towson this week, and that's our focus. We'll go into the next week with that mindset. We just want to be 1-0."
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 – Steelers home game on Dec. 14, 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, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and Gene Washington, the NFL's Director of Football Development
- A specially-designed hat
2008 Ravens HS Coach of the Week Recipients
Week 1 Chuck Markiewicz Arundel
Week 2 Lance Clelland Meade
Week 3 Tony Shermeyer Century
Week 4 Keith Robinson Perry Hall
Week 5 Reggie White Milford Mill
