Over the last two weeks, it has been Anthony Hardy’s field. Everyone else is just kind of playing on it. The DHS senior safety plucked two passes in the season-opener against Wetumpka, including one that halted the Indians’ final drive of the game. As a receiver, he made a one-handed snag on a go route that set up the Tigers’ go-ahead touchdown run.

Last week against Chilton County, Hardy turned in a strong second quarter that included a touchdown reception and a two-point conversion catch to help the Tigers get their first region win. But his best play proved to be a 72-yard interception return that set up what eventually proved to be the game-winning Demopolis touchdown.

The exceptionally athletic Hardy has already procured a collegiate offer from South Alabama and has landed on the radar screens of other programs. Still his focus for the time being is squarely upon helping his team earn a state championship.

And, much like his team, Hardy understands that there is only room to improve. His practice habits in the early part of the season have enabled him to become even more of an impact player on Friday nights.

“He’s playing just exactly like he’s practicing,” DHS head coach Tom Causey said of Hardy. “If he keeps doing that, he’ll continue to get better as the season goes on. He hasn’t even scratched the surface of what he can do.”

With three interceptions in two games and a handful of big catches on offense, it is scary to think of how good Hardy will be once he finally scratches that surface that Causey knows yet remains unblemished.