Last week, head football coach Brad Seiss was awarded Indiana High School coach of the week, presented by the Indianapolis Colts. All high school coaches in the state are eligible to receive the award, and they are judged on several different criterias.

After the Pirates 37-10 victory against Valparaiso last friday, Seiss was nominated and chosen for the award over the weekend. The Pirates are currently 7-1 overall, 6-1 in conference.

Merrillville High School was awarded $2,000 for the athletic program, sponsored by the Indianapolis Colts and CenterPoint Energy.

Former NFL safety Mike Prior visited Merrillville High School to present the award to Coach Seiss and the football team, and also to talk with the young athletes and give them insight on what it’s like at the big leagues. Prior had a 13-year-long career, spending his rookie year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and six years each with the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers. He also won Super Bowl XXXI with Green Bay.