Prior to running into a Hebron roster loaded with Division I talent, Cy Ranch cruised a 3-0 record in the Pool Play portion of last weekend’s Texas 7on7 Championships in College Station. Pitted against a Hebron team that was clearly overwhelming — which is why I initially arrived to watch Clayton Tune and Trejan Bridges — wide receiver CJ Hardy served as a breath of offensive life in what became a 37-19 loss to end Cy Ranch’s tournament.
A former do-it-all talent for Waller prior to his transfer to Cy Ranch, the trip served as an opportunity for Hardy to build a relationship with his new teammates and establish an understanding of where he can step up going forward.
“We got better at team bonding,” Hardy told TexasHSFootball of what felt Cy Ranch accomplished in College Station. “As a player, I should be more of a leader and making plays when it matters.”
While it may not have necessarily been when it mattered, Hardy was making plays and more impressively, it would come like clockwork. Positioned towards the end zone, there were numerous occasions when I’d hear a Cy Ranch supporter loudly voice the need for a play and more times the not, Hardy was in the end zone within the next play or two.
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-can't be stop,won't be stop 🏃🏽💨 pic.twitter.com/4CXzvAEjV5— Cj Hardy² (@cjhardy3) July 2, 2017
“I just wanted it,” Hardy said of how he was able to find so much success. “I just tried to show out as much as I can.”
Hardy certainly showed out while at Waller, emerging as a big play waiting to happen as a run-first quarterback where he was often able to make something out of nothing courtesy of great field vision, change of speed and elusiveness. As evident while in College Station, though, his role is going to change from passer to pass-catcher. That’s a process he’s just taking one day at a time.
“Just take it one day at a time and just try my best,” Hardy said of how he’s adapting to the role change at Cy Ranch. To help make that transition smoother, the explosive wide out is focused on simply outworking the competition and letting the rest take care of itself, such as the offers that are seemingly destined to roll in throughout his junior season.
“I’m a hard worker and I want it,” Hardy said of how he’d describe his game. “I guarantee I’ll outwork anybody I go up against and I don’t care if you have stars or not, it’s just a name on your back. I’m trying to go out there and get my offers, too.”
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