Sports Person of the Week – Xavier Ford

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Leesville’s Xavier Ford has etched his name in history after tallying up 3,467 rushing yards and 52 total touchdowns this season — both single-season state records.

“I’ve been working so hard my whole life for this, all four years of high school just to get this point. I’m really grateful and blessed to have this opportunity to achieve these yards. I go out and play hard every play, every down, and go do what I do and let the chips fall where they may and I’m just really grateful and really blessed to have what I achieved,” Leesville running back Xavier Ford said.

Virtually every week Ford broke out for a highlight play bringing the Leesville crowd to their feet and now Head Coach Robert Causey is eager to pull the tape and replay those moments.

“When you look at those athletic successes it was astonishing to see what he was able to do i can’t wait to just go back and watch each game as a fan just without looking at it through coach lenses and appreciate what he was able to do,” Causey said.

Ford and the Wampus Cats made it to the semi-finals of the playoffs this season and in his final year of high school football, he made sure to appreciate every moment.

“It was definitely fun one of the best seasons I ever had and just went out there and had fun with my teammates because it’s senior year. I just put it all on the line and had fun that’s how I came in looking at it I still wanted to achieve all my goals but ultimately just have fun with my teammates,” Ford said.

The star running back’s future is bright and Coach Causey is thankful to have been a part of his journey.

“To see him coming in as a freshman and watching him grow and seeing that smile and having been able to teach his mom and his dad and seeing both him and his brother come through here it’s special it really is,” Causey said.

Those eye-popping numbers that Ford put up didn’t happen overnight it was his mentors and work ethic that he attributes to his success

“He’s definitely a good mentor. He can teach you, show you, and tell you a lot of different things like when he talks it’s always about becoming a better person before becoming a better player and he’s just that type of guy that’s going to push you to become a better person. He practices what he preaches he’s going to get you right and he’s going to work you hard and do what he has to do to keep you straight but he’s also going to teach you life lessons it’s been good having him in my corner for four years,” Ford said.

Ford also finished his season by breaking Cecil Collins’ all-time rushing yards and touchdowns record as a Leesville Wampus Cat.

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