Henry Suche was all smiles. The retired Methodist pastor, who had for 25 years been the pastor of Winnsboro Football, was seated just outside the south end zone in a padded folding chair Friday at the Winnsboro stadium.

It was halftime and the Red Raiders were having their way with the visiting Mineola Yellowjackets – the score stood 49-0.

Suche had not just come to home games and offered prayers over the team. No, for a quarter of a century, Suche traveled with the team. He gave a prayer in the locker room before the team took the field and again at the end of the contest. No doubt there were many more prayers. It was, after all, his profession.   

When in 2023, he retired, the school offered him a special place from which to watch his beloved Red Raiders.

“I have never sat in the stands,” he commented. “My wife is up there, but I am always on the field.” 

Last Friday, Suche was soaking-in the one-sided win over the Yellowjackets. While he had surely offered up a prayer or two for his team, Winnsboro didn’t need much help as they defeated Mineola 70-0.

Winnsboro had 456 yards to Mineola’s 95. Winnsboro scored touchdowns on eight of their nine possessions plus added an interception return and a punt return for scores. Mineola punted on 8 of their 12 possessions, threw two interceptions and had one turnover-on-downs.

Next up, the Yellowjackets host Malakoff, the defending state champions, on Friday.