By Lamar Gafford | Written for the LSWA

Leesville has had its share of amazing running backs throughout a storied football history.

However, none of them had a season like the one Xavier Ford had this fall.

The senior, who broke the state single-season record for rushing yards and touchdowns, is now the recipient of the coveted 2024 Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance/LSWA Mr. Football award as selected by sportswriters from across the state.

Ford rushed for 3,467 yards and 52 touchdowns while carrying Leesville to the Division II select semifinals – the school’s first semifinal appearance since 2018. The former single-season rushing yards record had stood since 2010 when Oberlin’s Cedric Skinner ran for 3,437 yards.

“He’s a high-character kid,” Wampus Cat coach Robbie Causey said. “Whatever people believe (see) in his athletic ability, his character is so much greater. He just answers the bell. He goes, competes and is a great team kid.”

Ford saw limited varsity action as a freshman but tallied at least 2,400 yards and 30 touchdowns as a sophomore and as a junior to have an outside shot of breaking former Leesville and LSU great Cecil Collins’ school records if he kept that same pace.

Ford did not just keep that pace. He destroyed it.

In the Wampus Cats’ first game of the season against Sam Houston, he rushed for 298 yards and six touchdowns. However, he topped that by compiling 400 yards and another six touchdowns against Tioga.

Ford’s uncle, Michael, is the only Leesville running back to compile more yards in a single game.

“Without my team, I couldn’t achieve what I achieve,” Ford said. “Me understanding them better, being able to support them and help them stay motivated throughout the game. That’s how I felt like I became a better leader this year.”

Ford was held under 150 yards just twice all season as he continued to take aim at Collins’ records – first with the touchdowns and then the yards.

The magical night came Nov. 8 at LaGrange when Ford rushed for 331 yards to break Collins’ school rushing record.

Finishing with 8,591 yards and 123 touchdowns for his career, Ford awaits the next chapter of his career. Houston and Tulane are among the many schools to offer Ford scholarships.

The honors and records are noteworthy. Most importantly, Ford managed to do all with the grace and humility he displayed throughout his high school career.

“My saying is, ‘No bad days,’” Ford said. “I just always keep a smile on my face. I never like to see anybody down. I always try to stay positive and happy. That’s just the type of person I am off the field.”

With the selection, Ford is the first Leesville player to win the award since Collins in 1995.