W10 Coach of the Week

Brian Van Deusen, head coach of the River Hill (Clarksville, Md.) varsity football team, has been named Ravens High School Coach of the Week for the tenth and final week of the 2007 season. Presented by Toyota, this is the 11th year of the Ravens’ award program.

River Hill dominated Howard High on Friday night (11/9) by a final score of 49-0. The shutout was the eighth of the season for the Hawks, cementing River Hill’s place in the state playoffs and ending the regular season with an undefeated 10-0. The rout is reflective of a defense that is extremely impressive.

Van Duesen accepts his award at the Ravens' practice facility.

“We’ve got experience at the linebacker position, led by Zach Martin, who was all-state last year,” Van Deusen acknowledged. “Our defensive line is doing well, and we’re able to get pressure on the quarterback. Our kids execute the game plan, and the other thing is, we’re putting up some points, and not getting any turnovers.”

Junior RB Michael Campanaro rushed for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns in the lopsided victory. With 2 catches for 42 yards and 3 punt returns for 49 yards, Campanaro finished with 300 all-purpose yards.

“Michael had a great year last year, and he came in this year bigger, stronger and faster. A lot of teams started to key in on him, and we’re trying to find different ways to get the ball into his hands. The big thing for us is to have balance, and we’re really fortunate to have three great backs. Just having that balance between the inside and the outside run game, it makes it tough for teams to handle.”

River Hill will play host to McDonough (7-3) this Friday in the first round of the Class 2A championships. The Hawks will try to make a run into the finals to avenge last year’s loss to Friendly.

“Fortunately, we’re at home,” Van Deusen said about the upcoming game. “We’ve got our work cut out for us. McDonough lost to Edmondson-Westside in the Class 2A championship last year, so they have experience in the playoffs. We’re looking to stop the quarterback, he’s a good runner. Our game plan is to focus on his ability to run and to pass.”

This is the third honor for Van Deusen, who last earned the nod in week nine of 2006. He is in his eighth year as head coach at River Hill and also teaches mathematics and weight training at the school.

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:

• $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
Week 5 Jeff Oeming North Carroll
Week 6 Skip Hartley Digital Harbor
Week 7 Chip Armstrong Mount St. Joseph
Week 8 Mark Mesaros Eastern Tech
Week 9 Roger Wrenn Baltimore Polytechnic
Week 10 Brian Van Deusen River Hill