WACO, Texas — Ray Biles finally got his shot at a state championship.

After 30 years as Lorena's head football coach, the Leopards played for the Class 3A, Division 1 title this season. His players made sure their coach got his championship. Lorena defeated Brock 35-18 for its first title since 1987.

“Once the game started, everything was fine, everything was wonderful," Biles said. "The week building up to it and everything ... a lot of things going on.”

Biles has coached Lorena High School since 1992. His only other coaching job was an assistant at Katy High School. The definition of loyalty in an increasingly disloyal profession.

Lorena High School football coach Ray Biles confers with his players. (Spectrum News 1/Adam Rossow)
Lorena High School football coach Ray Biles confers with his players. (Spectrum News 1/Adam Rossow)

“I stayed with them at times, and they stayed with me," said Biles about not leaving for other opportunities. “I’ve told these guys before, I chose y’all. Y’all didn’t choose me. Y’all just happened to live in 76655.”

That's the Lorena ZIP code where Biles roamed the sidelines for 336 games, but no state championships. 

That changed in game No. 337. 

“These guys did an absolutely wonderful job of staying focused," Biles said. "I even heard it when they were talking to the team prior to the game. It’s just a game. Go do what we do and go play the game. And don’t worry about all the other stuff.”

The Lorena players said after the win they did feel an obligation to win a title for Coach Biles as much as they wanted one for themselves.

"We would always talk about it in huddles, whenever he would walk away, like this one is for him too," said Lorena senior Reed Michna. "To think that he’s been putting his heart into it for 30 years and to finally bring one home to him, it means a lot to us.”

The state title had another layer of significance for Biles. It was his 200th career win at Lorena.

"He’s the hardest working man I’ve ever met, but more importantly, he’s the reason that I became the person I am," said Lorena senior Andrew Brittain. "We have leaders, because he’s instilled qualities in every single one of us that will last the rest of our lives.”

A coach who's built 30 years of champions off the field. His commitment finally rewarded with a state championship trophy, on the field.

“It's really not about me," Biles said. "They know I love them, so I’m not gonna get all teared up. But I couldn’t write a better story, to win a state championship and it happened to be my 200th win.”

Coach Biles and his players celebrate his 200th win and a title. (Spectrum News 1/Adam Rossow)
Coach Biles and his players celebrate his 200th win and a title. (Spectrum News 1/Adam Rossow)