ASHEBORO, N.C. — It's Thanksgiving week, a reminder to be thankful for what we have. For an Asheboro father and son, it's not just about giving thanks around the holiday, this high school football season has reminded them how grateful they are to coach together.
"He’s not only my dad, he’s my best friend," said Seth Baxter, who is the Head Football Coach at Southwestern Randolph. "He’s my role model."
Every Friday night, when Southwestern Randolph was playing football, you'd see Head Coach Seth Baxter on the field and his dad, Donnie Baxter, in the press box, talking to him in his ear.
Donnie's been coaching football for nearly five decades. Seth grew up around the game.
"I remember back in 1983 I was on the field with him and his players were passing me around," said Seth. "My parents still have a picture at their house, holding the number one finger and him holding up one too."
Back then, Dad was the Head Coach at Eastern Randolph when the Wildcats won the state championship that year.
Fast forward 40 years later, now at a different school, the two work together to lead the Cougars to wins.
"It’s a thrill, a thrill of a lifetime because it’s our chance to be together and to be on the football field," Donnie said.
For the past 13 years, Seth said dad has been a part of his staff as an assistant.
This season, the advice means a little extra.
Donnie was diagnosed with colon cancer last spring. He thought he was cleared until tough news came back in August.
“I took a CAT scan and it came back that it metastasized and gone to the upper lobe in the right lung, but I’m under treatment now," said Donnie.
Even going through chemo, he was still showing up to help his son win ball games.
"It helps to free my mind," said Donnie. "One of the worst parts of having cancer is depression and anxiety, but if you have something else taking up your time and you’re thinking about something else, that’s what I’m thankful for, is that football has given me an outlet."
The Cougars season is over, but Dad plans to stay in the press box for as long as he can, talking to his son as they fight the battle on the field and the battle of cancer.
"He’s a fighter, that’s what we do and we’ll keep fighting," said Seth. "I love him being around and we just look forward to being together."