Fort Smith Northside junior Deontre Hardwick looked the part of a major college middle linebacker in last week’s game against Pine Bluff.
Hardwick, 6-1, 235 pounds was around the ball most of the night and finished with 7 tackles and a sack. Video highlights CLICK HERE
“I’ve just got to get to the ball no matter where it is at,” Hardwick said. “Wherever the ball is at, I’m there and trying to make plays.”
The Grizzlies defense dominated the Zebra’s offense and forced six turnovers.
“The defense didn’t take no plays off,” Hardwick said. “You can’t ever do that because you never know what they are capable of on that one play. We just went out and balled hard and came home with the W.”
Grizzly Coach Mike Falluer liked what he saw of Hardwick and an upcoming sophomore linebacker.
“He played great,” Falleur said. “That’s what we expect him to do and the other one – Chuy Parga – did the same thing, especially for a 10th grader for his first game.”
Hardwick has a scholarship offer from Arkansas State and is drawing interest from numerous others, including Arkansas. Sept. 1 was the first day juniors could receive mail from schools.
“I got a couple of letters from Florida State, two letters from LSU, Ole Miss, got one from them (the Razorbacks) and two from Mississippi State,” Hardwick said.
He was an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore team after recording 83 tackles,11 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, a recovered fumble for a touchdown, 5 pass breakups and an interception.
He has to continue to improve in the classroom in order to add to his offer list.
“Everything has been going great,” Hardwick said. “School has been going great. I can’t complain about anything right now.”
Hardwick has leaned on teammate and Hog defensive end commitment Daytrieon Dean for ways to improve on and off the field.
“Daytrieon is going to grind and he is not going to let anyone stop him,” Hardwick said. “That is what we do.”