The 2008 season marks the eleventh year the Indianapolis Colts will be recognizing outstanding Indiana High School football coaches through the Colts/NFL Coach of the Week program, presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
The South Bend Washington Panthers beat the Michigan City Wolves Friday night in a game filled with excitement. The Panthers knocked off the Wolves 21-20 behind Head Coach Antwon Jones' coaching prowess. The Panthers win was solidified as they stopped a two-point conversion attempt from the Wolves with 1:48 left in the game.
After going winless last season, Coach Jones, in his first season as Head Coach of the Panthers, has them off to their first 2-0 start in seven years.
The Coach of the Week program was designed to recognize high school coaches who transform, through their hard work and dedication to young people, the best available athletes into high potential football players.
All high school head coaches in the state of Indiana are eligible regardless of their school size, league or division. Coaches are evaluated on various factors including the coach's impact on his team, school and community, as well as performance of the team. The honorees are selected by a panel of high school football media, former athletic directors and other football representatives from all regions of the state.
Each Monday, following a high school football game weekend, one head coach will be recognized and announced. Coach Dungy will also announce each week's winner in his weekly press conference.
At the conclusion of the high school football season, each winning coach will receive a framed certificate signed by Colts President Bill Polian and Colts Youth Football Commissioner Mike Prior, as well as a $1,000 donation from NFL Charities. In addition, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield will contribute $1,000 for the school's athletic fund.
The following coaches were recognized as honorable mentions for Week 2:
Region 1 – Kirk Kennedy of Lowell
Region 2 – Winner
Region 3 – Phil Jensen of Warsaw
Region 4 – Doug Nelson of Benton Central
Region 5 – Alix Engle of Western
Region 6 – Mark Raetz of Terre Haute South
Region 7 – Mike Kirschner of Ben Davis
Region 8 – Scott May of Hamilton Southeastern
Region 9 – Kelly Murphy of Southridge
Region 10 – Jerry Bland of Edgewood
