In a unusual twist, Howard High's football coaching staff has been presented with the Ravens' High School Coach of the Week award.

Defensive coordinator Doug Kaplan stepped in when head coach Bruce Strunk was sidelined after emergency gallbladder surgery Wednesday and, with the rest of the coaching staff, led the Lions to a 32-28 victory over Atholton. With 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, the Lions improved their record to 3-1.

"I always preach that if a player goes down, another steps up. The same goes with the coaches, and they got the job done," Strunk said in a news release.

The Lions sent the game ball to Strunk, who is expected to be back on the sideline this week. The winning touchdown was scored on a 1-yard run by Brady Curley, a running back just up from the JV after injuries to the varsity running backs.

"I'm very proud of our kids," Strunk said. "Behind every successful coach is a great group of players and coaches."

Kaplan handled the defensive play-calling, and offensive coordinator Tony Reid took control of the calls on the other side of the ball.

"[Strunk] has a very clear philosophy, and everything was built off of that when he had to step away," Kaplan said. "The players just pick each other up. They play for the right reasons -- for the love of the game and for each other."

The Lions' staff joins Hereford coach Steve Turnbaugh and Gilman coach Biff Poggi as Ravens' Coaches of the Week this fall. Each received a $2,000 donation to his football program. On Dec. 19 at the Ravens-Saints game at M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens will name their High School Coach of the Year.