Detroit—The Detroit Lions have named Kevin Bartz of Edwardsburg High School the week two recipient of the 2017 Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan High School Football Coach of the Week Program. Bartz's Edwardsburg Eddies defeated Otsego 72-0 during week two of the 2017 high school football season.
Bartz is in his 23rd season as head coach at Edwardsburg and has led the Eddies to the playoffs the last seven seasons (11 seasons overall), while reaching the state semi-finals in 2010, 2014 and 2016. His career record is 149-72 (67.4%). On Friday, September 8, the Eddies travel to Paw Paw to take on the 2-0 Redskins in a Wolverine Conference battle.
In terms of player health and safety, all Edwardsburg student-athletes are provided a baseline concussion test at the beginning of their sports year to measure reaction time, memory capacity, speed of mental processing, and functioning of the brain. These baseline tests are compared to post-injury tests and can provide extensive information about an athlete's history with concussions.
High School Football Coach of the Week Program
Each week throughout the 2017 nine-week high school football regular season, one coach that best develops his players' character, discipline, and football skill in addition to emphasizing player health and safety in their program, will be recognized for his commitment to the team, school, and community. The winner is selected by a panel of high school football media members—Mick McCabe (former Detroit Free Press sports writer), Hugh Bernreuter (Saginaw News), Bret Bakita (WOOD Radio-106.9 FM, ESPN 96.1 FM-Fox 17/Grand Rapids), and James Cook (Traverse City Record-Eagle).
This season's program will award $22,000 to aid in the development and promotion of high school football in the state of Michigan, thanks to contributions from the Detroit Lions, the NFL Foundation, presenting partner, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan and associate partner, Gatorade.
Each winning coach during the regular season will receive a $2,000 donation to his school's football program and a sideline kit, courtesy of Gatorade. At the conclusion of the 2017 Michigan High School Football season, the Lions will also select the High School Football Coach of the Year. This season's Coach of the Year will receive a $4,000 donation to his school's football program, in addition to the Gatorade sideline kit. All winners receive a certificate signed by Lions' head coach Jim Caldwell and National Football League (NFL) commissioner Roger Goodell, a personalized game ball as well as acknowledgement at an upcoming Lions home game.
Currently in its' 21st year, the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program has awarded $389,000 to high school football programs throughout the state of Michigan. For more information on the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program, contact Chris Fritzsching, Lions' Director of Football Education, at 313-262-2248.
