CHANCE BAKER-HUGO
While the guys who score the touchdowns get all the glory, it takes guys like Hugo junior Chance Baker who play in the line and open the holes and stuff opposing runners on defense that make it all happen. Baker is in his second year at Hugo playing in the line and while he also plays baseball, it just doesn’t have the same feel for him. “I’ve played baseball a long time, but football has always been my thing because it just comforts me. I like the family bonding that you get on a football team with all the laughs and sharing the highs and lows on and off the field. I like playing defense best because I like sacking the quarterback or throwing the running back to the ground and I play more disciplined on defense than on offense.” At 5-10 and 245 pounds, Baker is a little undersized as a defensive lineman, but he’s taken that as a challenge and cites some role models who overcame similar challenges. “I like Vita Bea who plays for Tampa Bay, Eagles lineman Jalen Carter and former All-Pro Aaron Donald who won a Super Bowl with the Rams. They were all thought to be too small to succeed on defense and so I want to follow their example of success.” Chance has already made a couple of highlights as a Buffalo. “We played Honey Grove (TX) in our season opener this year and they had a five-star running back that I tossed for a loss and that was fun. Last year against Okmulgee in my first game for Hugo I stripped the ball from the running back and caused a fumble.” Chance is also a state qualifier in power lifting. “I’ve loved power lifting since the eighth grade, but it was rough at first because I wasn’t always the strongest. But my teammates really motivated me, and it’s always been my dream to go to state, and I think you can even go to college in power lifting.” Baker is playing on offense for the first time this year as the Buffaloes center which adds a little pressure. “My biggest adjustment playing center this year is getting the snap count right because I know if the ball moves, everybody moves and It could really mess up the play.” Chance says he really likes to fish a lot and lift weights in his spare time.
