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The Woodlands lineman looks to help avenge loss
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| BAKER |
By Howard Roden
Loren Baker remembers what it was like walking off the field after The Woodlands’ playoff game of a year ago.
“It was pretty tough to take,” said Baker, recalling the Highlanders’ 55-28 bi-district loss to Spring Westfield.
Like so many of his teammates, the 6-foot-1, 255-pound Baker spent the off-season dutifully preparing for his senior campaign. That meant hours in the weight room and informal workouts throughout the summer.
That dedication paid off last Friday for Baker, as well as his teammates. The nose tackle recorded three sacks and eight tackles in The Woodlands’ 24-6 first-round victory over the Mustangs.
“I thought it was my best game so far this season,” Baker said.
TWHS head coach Mark Schmid switched the Highlanders’ defense from a 4-3 alignment to a 3-4 front prior to the season. That meant a position change for Baker. Instead of lining up at end, he moved to nose tackle where it is a priority to create havoc in the heart of an opponent’s offense.
And, along the way, Baker became the heart and soul of the Highlanders’ front seven.
“Loren leads by example,” Schmidt said. “He doesn’t say much, but he knows how to make the key plays or set things up for the guys behind him.”
While he often toils in relative anonymity, Baker was named the Highlanders co-Most Valuable Player of the Week with Ryan Eastman last week. Now Baker and the Highlanders face a 10-1 Round Rock Stony Point team at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Round Rock ISD Stadium in a Class 5A Division I area round contest.
The Tigers’ offense features Glasco Martin, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound running back who has compiled more than 1,200 yards in less than eight games. Operating out of a spread attack, quarterback Nick McKissic has thrown for 1,650 yards and 12 touchdowns.
“They (Stony Point) remind me of Port Arthur Memorial,” said Baker, referring to the Highlanders’ 42-13 non-district victim. “They run out of the spread, but they run it a lot better than Port Arthur.”
Baker said Stony Point’s offensive line is reminiscent of Lufkin’s.
“Stony Point might be a little bigger, but Lufkin might be a little quicker,” he said. “We’re going to find out Friday.”
The son of Bobby and Cristine Baker, Loren plans to pursue academic and athletic careers simultaneously in Division I-AA leagues like the Ivy or the Patriot.
“My goal is to take that step to the next level,” Baker said.
Local Playoff Pairings
FRIDAY
Class 5A
Division I Area round
The Woodlands (9-1) vs. Round Rock Stony Point (10-1), 7:30 p.m., Round Rock ISD Stadium.
TAPPS
Division IV Regional
The Woodlands Christian Academy (6-4) vs. Muenster Sacred Heart (8-3), 7:30 p.m., Rice Independent School District.
SATURDAY
Class 4A
Division I Area round
Nederland (5-4) vs. Magnolia High (7-3), 1 p.m., Buddy Moorhead Memorial Stadium.
“It was pretty tough to take,” said Baker, recalling the Highlanders’ 55-28 bi-district loss to Spring Westfield.
Like so many of his teammates, the 6-foot-1, 255-pound Baker spent the off-season dutifully preparing for his senior campaign. That meant hours in the weight room and informal workouts throughout the summer.
That dedication paid off last Friday for Baker, as well as his teammates. The nose tackle recorded three sacks and eight tackles in The Woodlands’ 24-6 first-round victory over the Mustangs.
“I thought it was my best game so far this season,” Baker said.
TWHS head coach Mark Schmid switched the Highlanders’ defense from a 4-3 alignment to a 3-4 front prior to the season. That meant a position change for Baker. Instead of lining up at end, he moved to nose tackle where it is a priority to create havoc in the heart of an opponent’s offense.
And, along the way, Baker became the heart and soul of the Highlanders’ front seven.
“Loren leads by example,” Schmidt said. “He doesn’t say much, but he knows how to make the key plays or set things up for the guys behind him.”
While he often toils in relative anonymity, Baker was named the Highlanders co-Most Valuable Player of the Week with Ryan Eastman last week. Now Baker and the Highlanders face a 10-1 Round Rock Stony Point team at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Round Rock ISD Stadium in a Class 5A Division I area round contest.
The Tigers’ offense features Glasco Martin, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound running back who has compiled more than 1,200 yards in less than eight games. Operating out of a spread attack, quarterback Nick McKissic has thrown for 1,650 yards and 12 touchdowns.
“They (Stony Point) remind me of Port Arthur Memorial,” said Baker, referring to the Highlanders’ 42-13 non-district victim. “They run out of the spread, but they run it a lot better than Port Arthur.”
Baker said Stony Point’s offensive line is reminiscent of Lufkin’s.
“Stony Point might be a little bigger, but Lufkin might be a little quicker,” he said. “We’re going to find out Friday.”
The son of Bobby and Cristine Baker, Loren plans to pursue academic and athletic careers simultaneously in Division I-AA leagues like the Ivy or the Patriot.
“My goal is to take that step to the next level,” Baker said.
Local Playoff Pairings
FRIDAY
Class 5A
Division I Area round
The Woodlands (9-1) vs. Round Rock Stony Point (10-1), 7:30 p.m., Round Rock ISD Stadium.
TAPPS
Division IV Regional
The Woodlands Christian Academy (6-4) vs. Muenster Sacred Heart (8-3), 7:30 p.m., Rice Independent School District.
SATURDAY
Class 4A
Division I Area round
Nederland (5-4) vs. Magnolia High (7-3), 1 p.m., Buddy Moorhead Memorial Stadium.
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