Marcus Lewis, varsity head football coach of the Marriotts Ridge (Marriottsville, Md.) Mustangs, has been named the Ravens High School Coach of the Week. Now in its 19th year of existence, Lewis is the 10th and final recipient of the award in 2015.
Last Friday, Marriotts Ridge (8-2) edged the Reservoir (Fulton, Md.) Gators, 7-6. With the victory in the regular season finale, the Mustangs clinched their second-consecutive playoff appearance and finished with the most wins in program history.
Led by a stingy defense that allowed just 62 points all season, Marriotts Ridge forced a turnover on downs in the fourth quarter of a scoreless game when LB Troy Hensh recorded a sack on fourth down. On the ensuing drive, Marriotts Ridge broke the tie when QB Tyler Poole scored on a 1-yard run.
The Gators narrowed the score to 7-6 late in the game, but their effort to win in regulation was thwarted by the Marriotts Ridge defense on a failed two-point conversion.
"Having sustained success in back-to-back years means a great deal to this program," explained Lewis. "When my coaching staff and I took over at Marriotts Ridge three years ago, the team was struggling, and at one point had lost 32 games in a row. To be in the playoffs in 2014 and 2015, and record eight wins so far this season, I take a great deal of pride in that. It's a reflection on all of our coaches and all of our players."
Marriotts Ridge travels to the South Carroll (Sykesville, Md.) Cavaliers (9-1) this Friday (11/13) in the Class 2A West Regional Semifinals of the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association postseason tournament. The winner will advance to the Regional Finals to be played the following weekend.
Each week during the season, the Ravens honor a high school coach who has made a significant impact on his student-athletes. Each winner will be in attendance at the Ravens-Chiefs home game on Dec. 20 for an opportunity to be named the Ravens High School Coach of the Year. In addition, each coach receives a donation to the school's football program and an award from Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
