Damon Bomar, head coach of the Forest Park (Baltimore, Md.) varsity football team, has been named Ravens High School Coach of the Week for the seventh week of the 2010 NFL season. Presented by Toyota, this is the 14th year of the Ravens' award program.
Bomar's Foresters advanced to a perfect 8-0 on Friday (10/22) night when they blanked division rival Southwestern 41-0. The victory marked Forest Park's fifth shutout of the season, as the team has outscored opponents 318-50.
Now in his second year as head coach, Bomar has transformed 2008's 2-8 team into a Baltimore City Division II top contender. In addition to this season's perfect start, the Foresters composed a 10-0 regular season record in 2009 before falling to Dunbar in the Class 1A South Regional Championship.
"I changed the mental focus of the kids," Bomar said. "It's all about discipline and structure. They were talented, but just undisciplined. I brought in some great coaches, and we've been grinding every day. The kids bought into it because they were eager to win."
With his motto, "execution, no excuses," Bomar has crafted a locker room balanced in all facets of the game. On Friday night, senior QB Andrew Allen threw three touchdown passes, while senior RB Antwon Harmon rushed for two more. On special teams, senior Pat Makall added a punt return for a touchdown, while the defense registered two safeties.
"I'm an old-school coach," Bomar admitted. "I say defense wins championships, so we start on defense. This year we did focus more on offense, and now it's a total team effort."
But Bomar, who also carries the responsibility of Forest Park's athletic director, doesn't just strive for balance on game day.
"I saw that these kids needed something better," he said in regards to taking the head coaching position. "I try to teach them about life other than just on the football field."
Each week during the season, the Ravens honor a high school coach who has made a significant impact on his athletes. Each winner will be present at the Ravens vs. Saints home game on Dec. 19 for the naming of the Ravens' High School Coach of the Year.
Each weekly recipient receives:
· A $2,000 donation to the school's football program
· An award certificate signed by Ravens head coach John Harbaugh
· A specially-designed Coach of the Week hat
2010 Ravens HS Coach of the Week Recipients:
Week 1 Steve Turnbaugh Hereford
Week 2 Biff Poggi Gilman
Week 3 Howard Coaching Staff Howard
Week 4 Kyle Schmitt Atholton
Week 5 Ken Brinkman North Harford
Week 6 Steve Luette South Carroll
Week 7 Damon Bomar Forest Park
