MONTICELLO — Lawrence County junior tailback Kendrick Hardy isa formidable force when he’s running the football. In his latestouting, The DAILY LEADER’s Offensive Player of the Week rushed for202 yards and 4 touchdowns in directing the Cougars to a bighomecoming win over the Forest Hill Rebels.

Hardy, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior, has amassed over 1,500rushing yards this season.

LCHS head coach Mike Davis has watched Hardy and the rebuiltoffensive line make steady progress this year en route to an 8-1record. Jesse Anderson coaches the offensive line.

“Kendrick is super strong and he hits the hole wide open andaccelerating,” said Davis. “He can flat-out fly down the field.

“Our offensive line is getting better every game,” he added.”They have really picked it up a notch for him.”

Davis said Hardy’s speed is deceptive. “There’s a 40 (yard)speed and then there’s a football speed. He has footballspeed.”

Asked about the key to his rushing success, Hardy said, “If theoffensive line blocks, all I have to do is run hard.”

Hardy shares the credit with his teammates, especially the LCHSoffensive line. The O-line includes Trey Harvey at center, JoshuaMagee at right guard, Ontario Taylor at right tackle, Martez Bryantat left guard, Carlton Harris at left tackle and Blake Stalans andBrandon Middlebrook at tight end. Also working the line are JoshuaMagee at left guard and Montario Taylor at right tackle. JohnSerring and Carlton Parkman are the utility players who play anyposition on the line.

“We practice hard every day, said Hardy.

“I like playing for Coach Davis. He’s a good coach.”

Fast and strong, Hardy is member of the Iron Cats whoparticipated in the summer lifting and conditioning program. In theweight room, Hardy bench presses 280 pounds. He squats with 380pounds and power cleans 250.

Hardy said he runs a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. He also playsoutside linebacker for the Cougars. In school his favorite subjectin math.

His two older brothers, Wayne and Kentario, have enjoyedsuccessful football careers at the college level. Wayne Hardy was a4-year player at Southern Miss, working at fullback and linebacker.Kentario (6-3, 246, jr.) plays for Nicholls State (La.) Universityafter two successful seasons at Copiah-Lincoln CommunityCollege.

Last season, as a sophomore, Hardy also ran track, competing inthe 100 and 200-meter dashes and the 400-meter relay. He has run a10.9 in the 100.

The Cougars have secured second place in the Region 6-4A raceand will host a first round state playoff game Nov. 9. They arelooking for another run at the state title.

Eight years ago Hardy attended the 1999 state championship gamewhen Lawrence County won the title and it left a positiveimpression. “I wanted to play in it some day.”

He attends Fair Hill Baptist Church with his family.

Notable Performances

Franklin County’s Jamie Collins, 9 of 14 passing for 189 yardsand 4 touchdowns. Brookhaven Academy’s Daniel Lofton, 116 yardsrushing; and 3 of 6 passes for 78 yards and 1 TD.