2021 marks PressBox’s fifth annual Best Of edition celebrating the top people, performances and moments of the year.
Best High School Boys’ Coach
Tragedy struck the Mervo football team when senior wide receiver Elijah Gorham died Oct. 11 after suffering an injury during the Mustangs’ game against Dunbar Sept. 18.
Mervo dedicated its season to Gorham and finished 11-1 under the leadership of head coach Patrick Nixon.
The Mustangs beat Dundalk, 22-13, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Dec. 2 for the MPSSAA Class 3A/4A championship, the first state title in program history.
“It was a healthy balance of trying to give them what they need but also letting them understand that in tough times, you have to be able to reflect and move on and pick yourself up,” Nixon said, “because that’s what Elijah would’ve wanted to do.”
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox
For more Best Of, visit PressBoxOnline.com/BestOf.
Plus: Check out PressBox’s 2021 Mo Gaba Sportsperson of the Year, Justin Tucker.
