After dad’s death, football star lands at Foothill

Spencer Patterson

Monday, June 4, 2001 | 10:09 a.m.

They only have two years of varsity football under their belts, but the fledgling Foothill Falcons could be the odds-on favorites to capture the 4A Sunrise Region when the prep season rolls around this fall.

That's because the Falcons received a once-in-a-lifetime gift when John Ford -- one of the nation's top junior running backs -- transferred to the Henderson school from Southern California's Littlerock High School in January.

After rushing for 1,464 yards and 19 touchdowns in just six games last year, the 6-2, 220-pound Ford will take over ball-carrying duties for Foothill during his final high school season.

"He just walked in the door. We'll take that anytime," Falcons coach Ray Fenton said.

Despite the unexpected addition, Fenton can't allow himself to get too excited, because Ford's transfer was prompted by the death of his 36-year-old father after a sudden heart attack last November.

"We're excited to have a kid like this, but it's terribly unfortunate the circumstances that brought him here," Fenton said. "We're trying to make the best of a tragic situation."

Ford is now living with his aunt and uncle, Robert and Lashawn Hackett, along with his cousin, Lorenzo White, a sophomore who played on the Falcons' junior varsity last year.

"It was hard at first, but my aunt and uncle are so cool," Ford said. "They help me keep my mind off it."

Fenton didn't have to wait long to see what Ford could do. To help the XFL test its new cameras, the Falcons staged a special practice at Sam Boyd Stadium in January, where Ford immediately showed his new coaches and teammates he was a special player.

"You know how that stuff goes, most of the time you hear a lot about a guy and it usually doesn't pan out," Fenton said. "This kid showed up, we handed him the ball and he ran around everybody to the outside for a touchdown."

Since then, Fenton has timed Ford 10 times in the 40-yard dash, with times ranging from 4.31 seconds to 4.44 seconds.

That rare combination of size and speed has Ford near the top of many college wish lists, with UNLV, Oregon and Utah among the schools which have already offered him a scholarship. Nebraska, as well as Southern Cal and most Pac-10 schools, are actively pursuing Ford.

Ford said right now he is leaning toward staying in Las Vegas. "I'm thinking UNLV because they're offering a lot towards my education," he said, adding that he would like to stay near his aunt and uncle.

After spending the 1999 campaign as an independent entry, the Falcons finished 5-4 in their first season in the Sunrise Region last fall, placing second in the Southeast Division and earning a berth in the regional playoffs.

Foothill returns most of its top players, including all-conference receiver Nate Wederquist, starting quarterback Alex DeVaughn and Paul Lethbridge, one of the area's top offensive linemen.

"John's fit in nicely with our kids, and everything's looking good," Fenton said. "We're approaching this season with some guarded optimism."