Hough head football coach DeShawn Baker says the 6-0 Huskies are built on family, high standards and adversity.

Baker told WSIC's "Good Morning LKN" host Dani Tubio on Monday, Sept. 28, that his program is about more than wins. He discussed his path from college football to leading a Hough program that has gone 70-9 over six seasons. He also highlighted "Inside the Pack," a documentary series now in its second season that gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at Huskies football.

Baker struck a similar note in a Cornelius Today preseason profile published Aug. 14: "I want to win as much as the next coach, and yes, I want to win the state championship this year … But for me, it's bigger than football."

In that same profile, Baker said he wants the program to be "a fun, loving place with a family atmosphere," especially for players who lack support at home. He said focusing on connecting with players rather than hoisting trophies is how he hopes to sustain long-term success. Baker noted that the dominant program in Charlotte-area football has shifted over the past 30 years, and he wants Hough to break that cycle.

Hough won its first state championship last season, capping the run with back-to-back shutouts of West Charlotte and Millbrook. The Huskies went 28-2 over the past two seasons, according to Cornelius Today. Their last regular-season loss came against Northwestern on Aug. 23, 2024.

This fall has been more of the same. Through five games, Hough outscored opponents 174-33, with the starting defense allowing just two touchdowns, Lake Norman Publications reported. The Huskies then blanked West Mecklenburg 44-0 in Week 6 to move to 6-0 and climb to No. 21 in the USA TODAY Super 25 national rankings.

Senior quarterback Ethan Royal leads the offense. Royal accounted for the most combined passing and rushing yards in Class 8A last season, throwing for 29 touchdowns and rushing for 14 more, according to Cornelius Today. Junior running back Jamarion Morrison, the Offensive MVP of last year's state championship game, runs alongside him.

"Inside the Pack" captures the culture Baker described on WSIC. Season 2, Episode 3 followed the Huskies into Bank of America Stadium for a matchup against Cardinal Gibbons. The series is available on YouTube.

Hough returns to conference play Friday, Oct. 9, at home against Garinger. The Huskies then travel to South Meck on Friday, Oct. 16, host Myers Park on Friday, Oct. 23, and visit Hopewell on Friday, Oct. 30.