06/18/2026
Thanks to Hoosier Prep Gridiron for the player spotlight of Junior Drake Ford on X
🏈PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
Q&A with Drake Ford
2028 K/P | Yorktown HS (IN)�📏 5’10 | 175 lbs�📚 3.65 GPA
❓What’s a moment from last season that stands out to you?
💬 The moment that stands out the most has to be when we beat Pendleton at Pendleton to win the Sectional championship. We were able to avenge a loss from earlier in the season. Even though I was out with a broken fibula at the time, seeing the team win that title was unforgettable.
❓ How would you describe your style of play?
💬 I would describe my style of play as very fundamentally sound.
❓ What was the highlight of the 2025 season?
💬 The team highlight was definitely winning our sectional. Personally, my highlight was breaking three school records against New Castle on homecoming night. Shout out to my long snapper, Ty Filkovski, and my holder, Alex Montgomery, I couldn’t have done it without them.
❓ Other than your own, which stadium do you enjoy playing in the most?
💬 I would say Delta. It’s a huge rivalry and the crowd atmosphere at any Yorktown Delta game is always great.
❓ Which road stadium is the toughest to play in?
💬 New Palestine, the amount of people that go to the games at New Pal is crazy.
❓ What is the best advice you’ve received about playing your position, and who gave it to you?
💬 The best advice came from Coach Mark Hagee. He told me to “never turn a cough into cancer.” Meaning, when you have a bad kick or an off day, don’t dwell on it move on to the next one. An off day isn’t the end of the world. At the end of the day, we play football because we love it and it’s fun.
❓ What would it mean to play in the North vs. South All-Star game?
💬 Getting the chance to play in the North/South All-Star game would be a dream come true. It would allow me to showcase what I can do on a bigger stage and compete alongside the best players in Indiana.
❓ What’s the best part of being a student-athlete at your school?
💬 The best part of being a student-athlete at Yorktown High School is the incredible support system. From teammates and coaches to teachers, administrators, and fellow students, Yorktown creates a fantastic atmosphere.
❓ Favorite part of practice?
💬 My favorite part of practice is definitely field goal periods when my teammates do everything they can to try and distract me especially Chris Wilson.
❓ Has the transfer portal made recruiting tougher for high school players?
💬 As a kicker, the transfer portal has had a massive impact on recruiting for high school specialists. The reality is that we are now competing against guys that are much older, some from overseas who still have four years of college eligibility. Additionally, many D-I schools now prefer to take players who have proven themselves in college games and been in a college strength program rather than taking a chance on a developing high school kicker. Also roster reductions limit the number of specialists a college can keep.
❓ Favorite sports movie or show?
💬 My favorite sports movie is definitely Rudy. I grew up a Notre Dame fan, and that movie perfectly captures the magic of South Bend.
❓ If you could sit down with any athlete for an hour, who would it be?
💬 I would choose to sit down with Spencer Porath. He knows exactly what navigating modern recruiting and the transfer portal looks like right now. I’d love to get his advice on the best ways to reach out to coaches and market myself effectively.
