Kyree Fields hoped Friday was the night.
After limping off the field after making a catch against Caledonia on Sept. 22, Fields did everything he could in the next two weeks to rehabilitate his sprained left ankle. Still, he wasn’t sure if he would be at 100 percent last week against Leake Central.
“It was hard, especially knowing our star running back Tyran (Reed) was out, too, so I knew the team was going to have to come together and bond closer,” Fields said.
Fields did his part to make sure New Hope answered the call. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior quarterback was 15-for-21 for 151 yards and a touchdown in a 27-6 victory against Leake Central that helped New Hope (5-4) clinch a playoff spot out of Class 4A, Region 4. Fields also had 19 carries for 153 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.
For his accomplishments, Fields is The Dispatch’s Prep Player of the Week.
Field said he practiced in pads all week prior to the game against Leake Central. He admitted he was nervous before the game — like he usually is — to see how he responded after taking a hit, but he said he felt good knowing he is back.
“It was like a relief,” Fields said. “My mom and my dad were worried about my health long term, and I was, too. Knowing I had an OK game, it was a big relief.”
Fields smiled when asked to clarify his assessment “OK game” and said it was a “good game,” even though he made a couple of mistakes, like an interception, that he needs to avoid.
Fields said he has suffered sprains or minor injuries, but nothing that kept him from playing in a game. He hopes his return can help New Hope build momentum in its first season back in Class 4A. Fields also hopes Reed can get back to 100 percent to help the Trojans realize their potential.
“I feel a lot of the young people on the team get a lot of confidence knowing me and Tyran are back there,” Fields said. “I feel like the whole team has a different vibe when me and him are back there together.”
New Hope High football coach Kris Pickle praised the play of sophomore Ryan Burt in place of Fields. He said Reed didn’t see a lot of playing time against Leake Central after a knee injury flared up. As a result, Fields had more carries than expected and responded in a big way.
“It is hard to replace a guy who is a senior and has game experience,” Pickle said. “Every year you play the game slows down some. He just brings another dimension to what we can do in terms from the escapability standpoint, to being able to running the ball with the quarterback, to using a lead blocker with the running back. He is such a good football player with the football in his hands.”
Pickle said Fields’ ability to make things happen extends plays, which can be a double-edged sword at times. Still, he said Fields has a knack for keeping his eyes down the field when he scrambles so he can hit open receivers. Pickle said that ability should serve Fields well next season when he plays football in college. While Pickle envisions Fields as a safety or a cornerback at the next level, he said he also could see him as an athlete on offense who can play receiver, quarterback, running back, or kick/punt returner.
“Whoever signs him is going to get a great kid,” Pickle said. “There aren’t many kids as well respected as Kyree. He is a worker. … I can’t wait to see what he does when he gets into a (college team’s) weight program.”
New Hope will play host to Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAAA power Jackson Prep at 7 p.m. Friday. It will take on reigning Class 4A, Region 4 champion Noxubee County next Friday in its regular-season finale.
The No. 4 seed in Region 4 will take on the top seed in Region 2 in the first round of the playoffs. Itawamba Agricultural and Pontotoc are tied for first in Region 2.
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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