Hereford's Steve Turnbaugh Named Coach Of Week 4

Steve Turnbaugh, head coach of the Hereford High School (Parkton, Md.) varsity football team, has been named Ravens High School Coach of the Week for the fourth week of the 2007 season. Presented by Toyota, this is the 11th year of the Ravens’ award program.

Turnbaugh earned the nod, with the No. 10 Hereford defeat of No. 14 Perry Hall on the road Friday (9/28) night. The Bulls’ goal-line stand with 11 seconds remaining staved off the Gators, preserving the 28-25 win. The battle of the undefeated teams would leave only one with an unblemished record, as Hereford improved to 4-0 and Perry Hall dropped to 3-1.

Turnbaugh accepted his award Tuesday at
Ravens headquarters.

Behind the lead and protection of the offensive line, Bulls RB Eric Hemmeter rushed for 86 yards and 2 TDs on 8 carries, and RB Lonnie Liggins carried 12 times for 82 yards and 1 TD. Senior QB Tyler Brown scored the first Bulls TD with a 68-yard sprint in the second quarter.

Perry Hall put up quite a test, however, and the game was a spectator’s dream, with both teams fighting for the lead. The Gators’ fourth quarter TD and 2-point conversion brought the team to within 3. An ensuing onsides kick was recovered by Perry Hall, who went on to drive the ball to the Bulls’ 4-yard line.

Still, the Bulls’ defense would not be infiltrated, as they held their ground and denied a score.

“The kids showed a lot of perseverance,” Turnbaugh observed. “We overcame adversity in the game, right from the start. We lost the starting linebacker, who is also our snapper, in the beginning of the game. Everything we planned on, we had to change. We got down 10-0, and everything that we could do to hurt ourselves, we did. We had two field goal attempts botched, and we went through three different long snappers in the game to find one.

“Though things weren’t going well, they really persevered. The best part was the end when we were up. The team showed heart and determination, and I’ve never been more proud of a group of kids that I’ve worked with. They weren’t going to lose that game.”

This is the fifth Ravens High School Coach of the Week honor for Turnbaugh, who last earned the honor in week eight of 2006. He is in his 13th season as head coach of the Bulls, and in his 27th year coaching overall.

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 Colts vs. Ravens home game on Dec. 9, 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
Week 4 Steve Turnbaugh Hereford