Elwood Townsend, varsity head football coach of the Douglass (Baltimore, Md.) Ducks, has been named the Ravens High School Coach of the Week. Townsend is the sixth recipient of the award in 2013.
The Ducks (6-0) are off to their best start since 2010 after defeating the Patterson Clippers, 16-12, last Friday (10/11). In a tightly contested game, RB DaQuan Alexander opened the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Douglass relinquished its lead in the fourth frame after an 89-yard touchdown run gave Patterson a 12-8 advantage. Trailing by four with 58 seconds remaining, Ducks QB Cameron West found WR Antonio Thornton for a dramatic 58-yard game-winning touchdown pass.
Under Townsend, who is in his fifth year as head coach, Douglass is one of two unbeaten teams remaining in Baltimore City. For the first time in over 10 years, the Ducks have already secured back-to-back winning seasons. "It was a struggle the first few seasons," Townsend explained. "But I ask for three things out of our players – hard work, dedication and performance in the classroom. The boys have bought into that philosophy over the last few years, and we've been able to find success."
The Ducks travel to Lake Clifton (Baltimore, Md.) this Thursday (10/17) for a Baltimore City matchup against the Lakers, who are 1-4 this season.
Each week during the season, the Ravens will honor a high school coach who has made a significant impact on his student-athletes. Each winner will be in attendance at the Ravens-Vikings home game on Dec. 8 for an opportunity to be named 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
