By Cory Kefauver
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Carroll County has not had fall sports this semester. However, this has not stopped the county’s coaches from garnering recognition. Head Coach Will Thompson of Francis Scott Key High School has won the Ravens Coach of the Week award for outstanding achievement as a head coach in Maryland.
“To me it is a collective effort from the community,” Thompson said. “It means a lot that people recognize what we’re doing here at Key.”
FSK Athletic Director Troy Warehime said that weeks ago the Baltimore Ravens organization sent out emails for nominations and he nominated Thompson for all the work he has done in the community and for the team.
“It is a significant award for our football program, athletic department, and school,” Warehime said. “This recognition brings awareness to other parts of the state about just some of the great things happening on our campus, and just how special a place FSK really is.”
Winners of the award are chosen based on work coaches perform off the field with their team. Recipients get a $500 donation to their athletic department and an award from Ravens Coach John Harbaugh.
“We have no direct plans for the money as of now, but it will be put to good use within our athletic program,” Warehime said. “The funds are especially helpful in a year where we have not been able to host events and collect admission, which helps fund our entire athletic program.”
In Thompson’s first year of his tenure the FSK Eagles had a 3-7 record and saw their first playoff birth since 2006. Thompson also organized community service projects focusing on support for Taneytown area military veterans.
“I put a premium on being a good person,” Thompson said. “Being a great football player is obviously a primary goal, but I also put a heavy emphasis on just being a great person as well.”
The pandemic has put coaches in a tough position of trying to keep players engaged without being physically present.
“Right now, we are just trying to keep the kids engaged and control what we can control,” Thompson said. “Even as a coach it is hard to scale yourself back and understand there are circumstances out of your own control.”
Thompson said he has been immensely proud of his players for pushing through the adversity the past year has put them through.
“Our players have been very engaged through the whole process,” Thompson said. “I think they’re just happy to be doing something active.”
Thompson said his players effort has been great and hopes that when they finally are able to get back together, they will continue to build on last year’s momentum.
Warehime said that while the FSK community may be apart right now, the school always has the back of the community and vice versa.
Thompson said that he takes little credit for the award and that it is really an award for the FSK community.
“The community has always show great support for the FSK athletic program,” Thompson said. “This award is really for everyone in the community and we appreciate the endless support they have always shown us.”