HENDERSON, Texas — Over 20 years ago, Clay Baker contributed to a bi-district champion Henderson Lions football team.
Now, he's still working on getting those Lions to the playoffs, just with a lot less pads.
"It means a lot to be able to come back where you grew up, where you graduated," Baker said. "You've walked through the same halls these kids did put on the same logo, you know. So this town means a lot to me, this school means a lot to be able to to help get this school back to the tradition that it expects is a big thing for us.”
A coach's job is to make a team successful, but Baker's drive goes beyond the pay. Henderson hasn't played a playoff game since 2019. Getting the Lions back to playing successful football is a personal goal.
“It's personal. I understand the expectations of the community, of the school, of the program. I've been a part of that on these guys sides," Baker said. "I've been, like I said, in the same hallways these guys have been and put the same logo they've put on. So, you know, this logo means a lot to me, this school means a lot. And like I said, just helping get back to the tradition that this town expects is big for us."
Having been on both ends, Baker gets his players, and after a year in his system, the players have got him back.
“They really bought in from day one, when we got here and we were close. Last year, we were really close. I mean, you can go back and look, and there's numerous games, we're one or two plays away from having a different outcome, but the kids bought in," Baker said.
The Lions finished 2023 with just two wins. Now they sit with just two losses, and with a win on Friday, they could be in the mix for a district championship.
"I think the big deal is focusing on ourselves. When you play in big time games like that, where both teams are really good, you got to find a way to win the turnover battle," Baker said. "You got to minimize the penalties, and you got to play clean football game."
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