This time last year, Tyler Howerton was shuffling back and forth between the varsity and junior varsity baseball teams at Demopolis High. He was showing productivity in both places, but had only begun to show the potential that his athletic gifts afforded him.

Now, he is on an entirely different team, playing a decidedly different sport and has made an immediate impact. And that potential? Early returns indicate that it could be near limitless.

Through nine games with the Demopolis High soccer team, Howerton has 10 goals. That mark is believed to be a school record, surpassing the number set by Rob Cooke two seasons ago.

“Tyler is confident as far as soccer goes,” head coach Peter Keen said of the junior forward. “When you’re confident in a position, it helps the entire team because they see that confidence and it helps their play.”

Tyler has been a welcome addition to a young program that was expecting its best season to date entering the year. He has joined Cameron Fendley and Jarvis Lawson to form a potent scoring trio that has combined for 22 goals thus far this season.

“They are coming to where I expect them to be as players,” Keen said of Fendley and Lawson. “And I think with Tyler coming up top and giving them the confidence that a forward is going to be up there waiting on them, it only helps their play.”

In that regard, Howerton has been effective in making his teammates better. He is tied for third on the team in assists and has shown a penchant for following missed and deflected shots, an ability that indicates instincts which cannot be taught.

While his early play has been incredibly productive, it is the future that gives the program reason to be hopeful as Keen said Howerton is not yet as good as he can be.

“Tyler has grown up in Demopolis playing soccer,” Keen said. “There are some things we need to fine tune on him. But he is a natural player.”