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Like father, like son | The Lorena Leopard Legacy

On Friday night against Franklin, Braylon Henry scored his 42nd single season rushing touchdown breaking his dad's current record at Lorena.

LORENA, Texas — Lorena is home to one family who will forever have ties to the Leopards. 

The Henry name is imprinted all over the record books, starting with John, who played on varsity in the late 1980s. Fast forward to the last couple of seasons, and his son Braylon is upholding the Henry legacy.

"I get a little bit emotional talking about it because at one point in time my jersey was retired," John Henry, former Lorena and Baylor running back, said. "But, they finally brought it out of retirement because he was coming up and could wear it."

Credit: Lorena High School
John Henry (top image) and Braylon Henry (bottom image) both wearing their #2 jersey with Lorena.

34 years ago, Lorena was home to one of the best running backs in the state of Texas. 

"So, I'm walking around the locker room, I'm looking. I'm on the JV side where I was before and I'm looking around and I go to coach and say 'Hey coach, where's my locker.' He goes 'Did you go look on the other side?' and I said 'No sir.' So, I go look on the other side and I go 'I'm on varsity?'", John said. 

Credit: Lorena High School
John Henry during his time as a running back and linebacker with the Lorena Leopards in the late 1980s.

John Henry was a student at Lorena from kindergarten until he graduated, so the Leopards always felt like home. Henry put on a show rushing for over 5,700 yards during his career; a record that still stands today. 

During his senior season, he racked up 41 rushing touchdowns. 

A record his son, Braylon Henry, was now chasing.

"I mean, we talked about it at the beginning of the season, but I was like, 'There's just no way.' I was just coming off a knee injury, so last year I was battling a knee injury. I was just trying to get through my junior year and just trying to give everything I can for my team," Braylon Henry, Lorena senior running back, said. "This year at the beginning I was just trying to do my best and see what happens."

But, his dad was okay with his son potentially being the one to break it. 

Credit: Lorena High School
John Henry and son, Braylon, after a Lorena football game during the peewee days.

"Finally, he was able to play running back his senior year and it was always 'Dad, I'm going to break your record.' And I would say, "I hope you do. It'd be nice for you to break my record because you're my son. What better person to break your record than your only son?'", John said. 

On Friday against Franklin, Braylon Henry scored his 42nd single season rushing touchdown breaking his dad's current record of 41. But the best part was his dad was right there on the sideline to see it happen. 

Credit: Smoaky.com
The Henry name will forever be imprinted in the Texas High School Football record books.

"It feels great. What better person to break my record than my own son," John said. "His grandmother was looking down on him making history, just like I was."

Talent runs in the Henry DNA, racking up resumes with state title rings.

Credit: Lorena High School
John and Braylon both hold up their state title rings they each won their sophomore season with Lorena.
Credit: Lorena High School
Braylon Henry and John Henry both holding up their state title trophies from 1987 and 2021 at Leopard Field.

"It was really special because we have both been through that moment," Braylon said. "Both back up running backs. Both starting linebackers. We pretty much had the same stats. It was like him watching himself growing up."

Like father, like son ... 34 years apart. 

"My dad always told me to make my own footsteps and to not follow his footsteps. So, I kind of just made my own footsteps," Braylon said. "We both wore the number two jersey but have different footsteps."

Credit: Lorena High School
Braylon and his dad, John, after Lorena won state in 2021.
Credit: Lorena High School
Braylon Henry hugging his dad, John, after winning state in 2021 in Arlington.

They have the same name and same jersey number. But, different records. 

"I'm gonna be making fun of him now," Braylon said.

"Okay Braylon, you got yours in 3A, I got mine in 2A. So, I still got you."

John also has a leg up on Braylon after being inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame for his on field accomplishments.

Braylon may be graduating this year, but for the Henry family, Lorena will always be home.

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