South Lamar High School junior Holden Fields always felt like the Stallions would win a football game sooner rather than later this season.

South Lamar snapped a 14-game, two-season losing streak with Friday night’s 42-19 victory against Lynn. Playing fullback and middle linebacker, Fields had a major hand in the victory. He ran for 127 yards and two touchdowns and had six tackles and two quarterback hurries.

For his accomplishments, Fields is The Dispatch’s Prep Player of the Week.

“I thought we had a chance to be a better football team this year and win some games,” Fields said. “We have a new coach and several new players on the team. You could tell there was a different attitude during the summer. Everybody was hitting the weight room hard to get better. We were doing more work than we had ever done before.”

When Shannon McGregory took the South Lamar job last spring, he promised nothing more than hard work. Gregory felt like the attitude and work ethic were good enough to get the Stallions back in the business of winning games.

“I saw a group of kids that were hungry,” McGregory said. “They were not despondent even though they had been losing. I have coached a long time, and I just wanted to help teach them some ways they could become better football players. With the help of some of the veterans, such as Holden, the kids bought in right away. They were on board with whatever we wanted to do to try to make them winners again.”

For Fields, the biggest change during the offseason was in the installation of a new offense. South Lamar now runs the Wing-T.

“Switching to the Wing-T has been the greatest thing possible,” Fields said. “It took us a while to learn everything, but once we did, it was a good thing. We are excited about playing offense again.”

Progress in the new offense came slowly. Granted, the first three games were losses to Lamar County, Pickens County, and Brilliant. That group combined to win 23 games last season.

“We had a very difficult stretch to start the season,” McGregory said. “The main thing is we didn’t want the kids to get down. We told them to keep working hard and to get better each week and the wins would come. I was really proud of the kids for finally getting that win because it is a major relief. They have kept working hard and believing. It was a great night for Holden, the offensive line, and the entire offensive unit.”

Since he plays football, basketball, and baseball at South Lamar High, Fields understands the ups and downs of being an athlete. He learned how to how become a better players from his older brother, Hunter. The two played together at South Lamar last season before Hunter graduated in May.

“I went out for football my seventh-grade year because of how my brother liked it,” Fields said. “He always played and he always told me how much he liked it. He has always been a big influence for me and has pushed me when I need it most. My brother and my grandfather (Harry) have been the biggest influences on my football career.”

There is still plenty of football left for Fields and the Stallions in the Alabama High School Activities Association’s Class 1A, Region 5 race. The Stallions look to make the first victory a starting point, instead of an ending one.

South Lamar will play Friday at Central of Coosa County.

“We felt like we could win some games this year,” Fields said. “Getting the first one won’t do anything but help our confidence. We are always excited to play every Friday night. Now that we have a win, we are even more excited to keep it going.”

Follow Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott.

Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.