By Staff Writer: Travis Waker

Traits such as determination and talent are evident in Darren Ford.

“I’ve been playing the same sports since I was little, so when high school came I just kept playing them,” says Ford when talking about why he loves high school sports.

It is clear his passion in both baseball and football goes well beyond the average high school athlete. When talking about the difference between the two, Ford says it’s a difficult decision.

“Tough question. I like football more right now because it’s football season and this year the games have been so much fun. If you asked me this at a different time of year my answer might be different,” Ford says. No matter the sport, Ford is very focused and confident in his abilities to succeed.

Ford makes it clear that he wants to go to college after high school and continue playing sports while doing so. He can do multiple things on a football and baseball field.

“Football, I play quarterback, kicker, and punter. Baseball, I play outfield and pitcher,” Ford says. He played on the Howell varsity baseball team his junior year that went 30-6 and nearly made it to the state finials game. As a clear leader on the football team, he has hopes for his team to make it to the playoffs.

To some baseball players or just athletes in general, the number that they wear on their back is an important thing. Some consider it lucky, but Ford is not one of those people. “I wear 16 for football and 4 for baseball. I’m not really into the whole lucky numbers thing. It’s not a big deal to me what number I have,” Ford says.

It would seem to anyone who talks to Ford that baseball and football are his life. However, he also likes swimming, basketball, and just watching sports in general, although not as much as playing them.

Ford has established himself as a capable and determined athlete on and off the field and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.