Boerne truly a band of brothers
Three sets of siblings have helped lead Greyhounds to state
BOERNE — Houston Hendrix describes Boerne’s team bond as a “brotherhood.”
It’s literally and figuratively true.
Hendrix, a senior defensive back for the Greyhounds, is one of three sets of brothers on team. His younger brother Hutson Hendrix is a sophomore linebacker. Both are sons of coach Che Hendrix.
Senior receiver Braden Baize is the older brother of first year starting sophomore quarterback Jaxon Baize, and senior defensive back Cole Gentry is junior running back Chance Gentry’s brother.
“It’s pretty obvious it helps with Jaxon and Braden’s connection,” Chance said. “And Hut and Houston on defense. That’s super special. The older brothers — Braden, Cole and Houston — they are such leaders on the team, and they are kind of like older brothers to everybody.”
That chemistry has helped forge one of Boerne’s most successful football seasons to date. The Greyhounds are 14-0 for the first time and are in the state semifinals for the second time in program history and for the first time since 2004.
Boerne is one game away from reaching the state championship for the first time. The Greyhounds play Tyler Chapel Hill (12-2) at 7 p.m. Friday at the Alamodome.
After not playing last year, Braden rejoined the football team and has helped Jaxon adjust to varsity football — not that much adjustment was needed.
Jaxon has passed for 3,255 yards and 49 touchdowns as a first-year starter. Braden, of course, is his top target with 59 catches for 1,080 yards and 19 touchdowns.
“Quarterbacks look for trust in their receivers,” Che said. “That’s a big deal. Talk about the ultimate sign of trust is having your brother there growing up. They have a great relationship, and now they are really tight. He’s been a little bit of a security blanket, and it also helps that Braden is really good.”
Braden caught touchdown passes for 31 and 53 yards last week against Corpus Christi Calallen to help the Greyhounds to a 21-6 first-quarter lead.
“I already had that chemistry with someone to throw it to,” Jaxon said. “He was someone I could trust, especially through those first couple of games.”
Although the starting quarterback wasn’t determined until the week of Boerne’s season opener
against Corpus Christi Flour Bluff in late August, Braden was confident his brother would get the job.
“I had a good feeling it was going to be him, and he stepped in there pretty quickly ... a couple of practices in,” Braden said. “Ever since, he’s done really well. He’s always been a very calm and steady player. He’s filled the role really well, and he’s been a great leader on this team.”
Hutson didn’t have much time to think ahead of his varsity debut at middle linebacker as a freshman last year. Boerne’s starter was injured, and
the backup caught COVID.
“We had nobody else,” Che said.
Hutson recorded 14 tackles in a 34-30 loss to Alamo Heights in the 2021 season opener. He finished with 84 tackles and was selected as the Expressnews All-area Newcomer of the Year.
“He’s 15; he can barely drive with a permit, and he’s going against guys who are 18 and matured,” Houston said. “We’ve been around football for a while, so I knew he’d be totally fine learning the defense. Him holding up physically was very impressive.”
Hutson was thrilled to join his brother on defense. Although he was thrust into a big role faster than expected, Hutson said he didn’t find it overwhelming.
“I never really thought I wasn’t going to be OK,” Hutson said. “I think I had enough tools in the bag, so I thought I was capable. It was just a matter of time. … Coming in, you are a little intimidated. You can say you aren’t, but you really are. To have an older brother and other guys you know really helps.”
There’s another Hendrix
on the sideline — Hank, an eighth-grader who is one of the Greyhounds’ ball boys.
Chance and Cole opened the season as starters, but both have been sidelined with season-ending injuries. Cole injured his ankle in Boerne’s fourth game against Gregory-portland. Chance tore his ACL for a second straight season against Memorial three weeks later.
Still, Cole is grateful they had a chance to play together.
“We talked about it since we were little — playing together and being on the field at the same time,” Cole said.
The Gentry brothers were starters last year, too.
“They are both very intelligent and very instinctual players, and so it’s been a tough loss,” Che said.