Loyola Blakefield’s Abbott Named High School Coach of the Week

Brian Abbott, head coach of the Loyola Blakefield (Towson, Md.) varsity football team, has been named Ravens High School Coach of the Week for the third week of the 2007 season. Presented by Toyota, this is the 11th year of the Ravens’ award program.

Abbott earned the honor after his Dons (4-0) continued their exceptional play with a 35-14 victory over Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy. Loyola delivered FUMA (3-1) its first loss of the season.

The Dons’ defense showed up with three interceptions, two coming in the first quarter to thwart any thoughts of a successful drive. At the half, Loyola had a 7-0 lead with junior QB Leon Kinnard’s 25-yard TD pass to Rashad Curtis.

Brian Abbott and Brian Billick (left).

Loyola, who outscored opponents 126-27 in the previous three games, took control on both sides of the ball. The defensive effort was a testament to every defensive player on the field.

“It was consistency throughout the game, and it was a team defensive effort,” Abbott noted about the defensive play. “It wasn’t any one individual. They were a true test. They were a very good team with their running back going to University of Georgia next year, and I’m very proud of the boys for their effort.”

FUMA tried to make it a game with two scores in the third quarter, but behind RB Terence Garvin’s 21 attempts for 164 yards and 2 TDs, the Dons easily managed to continue their offensive success.

With two MIAA A-Conference championships in 2003 and 2006, Abbott has high expectations for his team. In 2006, the Dons went 10-1 and shared their championship with McDonogh and Gilman.

“One of our biggest goals is to be consistent and build consistency together. By doing that, the wins and losses will take care of themselves. Personal accountability has also been one of the goals for the season.”

This is the fourth Ravens High School Coach of the Week honor for Abbott. He is in his sixth season as head coach, and 14th overall, and he also teaches computer science at Loyola.

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 a December Ravens home game, 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 Brian Billick, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and Gene Washington, the NFL’s Director of Football Development
- A specially-designed hat

2007 Ravens HS Coach of the Week Recipients

Week 1 Lawrence Smith - Dunbar

Week 2 Doug DuVall - Wilde Lake

Week 3 Brian Abbott - Loyola Blakefield