Baker keeps Central (High) focus

Michael Baker sits in a Central High office, stretches his long left arm, points to the northeast and expresses a longtime “us versus them” mentality that has simmered in this west-side district.

“Them” would be the five Clovis Unified schools that combine with Central to form one of the state’s best athletic leagues, the Tri-River Athletic Conference.

“I feel it’s that side of the TRAC — all those teams — versus us,” he says. “I always feel like an underdog. We never get the respect that we should.”

No doubt history has influenced handicappers.

Clovis district schools Clovis West (nine), Clovis (eight), Clovis East (two) and Buchanan (one) have accounted for 20 of the Central Section’s past 41 Division I football championships.

Central has won zero. Ever.

And how to challenge history this season with 10 new offensive starters?

Try Baker, the premier quarterback in the section, perhaps beyond.

“He certainly compares to anybody in the state,” Buchanan coach Mike Vogt says.

Vogt has company in singing the praises of a 6-foot-3, 195-pounder who has delivered 4,787 passing yards, a 71% completion rate, 47 touchdowns against 12 interceptions and a combined 15-8 record — including 7-3 in the TRAC — in the past two years.

Baker was a hit at the Elite 11 Quarterback West Regional Camp at Stanford in May, coached by former Fresno State and NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer.

It drew nine of the state’s top quarterbacks, most of whom are being recruited nationally.

Also present was Rivals.com West Coast recruiting analyst Adam Gorney.

His report on Baker, who has received scholarship offers from San Diego State and Eastern Michigan: “Footwork was no problem as he dropped back well, moved side-to-side well, and when he rolled out and threw the ball, he didn’t lose any velocity. He also has nice touch on his passes and usually hit his target right in the numbers. His deep ball is great, has good zip and doesn’t stay in the air too long. If he can improve his passes across the middle and mid-range routes on the sideline then he can help his [recruiting] cause even more. It would be no surprise at all if Baker picks up more offers in the coming months.”

Another critique from ESPN RISE: “He stood out among a very talented group with his natural abilities and determination to compete. Schools need to take a closer look.”

Baker and his father, Tom, make clear their college preference — Fresno State.

“He’d love to stay home and tear it up,” dad says. “Mike would commit tomorrow if [coach Pat Hill] offered.”

That doesn’t appear promising, however, with four quarterbacks in the Bulldogs program — none a senior — and sophomore Derek Carr ready to fire for three years.

Meanwhile, Baker’s priority is to size up for an elusive ring, one representing TRAC and Central Section championships.

Buchanan’s 18-year coach Vogt, for one, likes his chances. And to heck with the Grizzlies’ overall inexperience.

“They look like a JC team — unbelievable,” Vogt says. “And Baker’s experience is going to pay off. I make Central the team to beat.”

The Grizzlies will follow a winner in Baker.

It all began with a child in a dirt bike competition, where he was a state champion while collecting nearly 100 trophies, including some 6-footers that towered above him at the time.

In continued in baseball, where he slugged 15 home runs as a 12-year-old while establishing a Central area Cal Ripken League record that still stands.

And it would become evident early in football, where he led Clovis North’s freshman team to a 10-0 record in 2008 before transferring back to Central.

“I grew up a Central boy and it felt necessary to come back. I never looked back, just went forward.”

And now finally, perhaps, with the ultimate goal — two of them, actually: “Go for the ring and get our respect.”

By Andy Boogaard / The Fresno Bee