From Zero To Hero

As another snap prepares to take place in Brooksville, you hear a clamor from the huddle.

"Pride," yell all the players with black defensive jerseys with white Skull and Cross Bones emblazoned on them. Then a unison clap followed by "relentless."

You see, in America anything is possible, even before the first official prep football game on Sept. 5.

Just ask Nature Coast Technical senior football player Michael Anthony Fields.

Fields 101

Michael, 17, is oldest of three children to Gary and Capacine Fields.

What a shock to find out Michael was born in Long Island, N.Y. (like the majority of the 165,000 county residents) and has lived in Spring Hill for the past 10 years.

He's thin and lanky at 6-foot-1, 165 pounds.

His spidery frame began to fill out at Fox Chapel Middle School where he played basketball as a seventh and eighth-grader. He mostly anchored the Tigers' No. 2 guard slot.

He displayed his athletic versatility by also competing in track and field excelling in the 100 and 400-meters.

Though he loves hoops and lettered at Nature Coast Technical in varsity basketball last winter, he's torn between basketball and football.

"I really like both sports," said Fields. "I couldn't tell you which one I like most. In basketball, it's just five guys and the opponents are right on you. We're in a gym and everybody can see you play and you don't get as dirty.

"In football," he pauses, "your teammates have your back. It's a huge stadium and it's like a big war every Friday night."

His love affair for the gridiron began as a quarterback/running back for his father's teams with the West Hernando Cougars. He bypassed middle school football and his first season at NCT to continue playing at the recreation level.

When he left the recreation division, he played junior varsity football as an unassuming sophomore. He never got in a varsity game in 2006, so he had zero stats.

But the transformation from an unknown JV player to standout on varsity began in the offseason.

"I worked hard every day preparing for my junior year," recalled Fields, who carries a 2.3 grade point average at NCT. "I wanted to make a name for myself. When I got in there, I just wanted to win for the seniors."

Under Defensive Coordinator Charles Liggett's scheme, Fields emerged as a lockdown cover corner.

"Every day my confidence was good and it got better," remarked Fields. "I just want to do the best I can to help my teammates. I have a great defensive coach (Liggett). He studies film and writes down all the opposing team's tendencies.

"My dad helped boost me too," added Fields. "He and my teammates and Coach (Jamie) Joyner kept on me about putting my mind into my game."

What's the key to the Sharks' defensive improvement?

"It's all about committing to hard work and discipline. Coach (Joyner) always gives us a quote before practice," commented Fields. "The one I remember most is about the 'man on top of the mountain, didn't fall there' - in essence he worked his tail to get there. That's kinda my motivation."

The climb

Fields' stats spoke volumes of his assent to stardom.

He recorded 58 tackles last fall, including causing two fumbles and recovering one. And he blocked a kick.

But his biggest strength wasn't necessarily against the run, it was against the pass.

He recorded a team-best 12 passes defended or batted down and etched a school-record 10 interceptions. His 10 picks also tied the Hernando County standard set by Hernando High's Eddie Looper almost 30 years ago in 1980.

For his efforts, Fields was not only named by the area coaches to the All-County Team but he was also tabbed as the County Defensive Player of the Year.

And yes the Florida Sports Writers Association also feted him as a selection to its annual Class 3A All-State Team.

Not bad for a guy no one heard about the year before, eh?

"After the team started using me more and more," recalled Fields, "I started making big plays. It kinda started with my first game against Dunnellon. I thought we all played well. Since that point, I knew I was gonna have a good year."

What did the highlight reel season include?

"The South Sumter game was one of the best games I ever played," he said. "We all left it on the field. But the three interceptions against Hernando, including the one-handed catch was probably my biggest stat game."

What's next?

So what does Fields plan for an encore?

"First, I got to worker harder in the weight room," he noted. "And then as a senior, get the team focused to play."

What do all the accolades mean?

"It makes me feel good and it shows that all the hard work I've put in is paying off," smiled Fields.

What about goals in 2008?

"I want to get stronger, faster and I want our team to make the state championship," replied Fields. "I don't only want to win for me, but for my teammates, my coaches and our families. I want to prove we can do this."

In the background, the chorus still echoes, "Pride." Clap. "Relentless."

By the Numbers: NCT's Michael Fields
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO
 
YEAR      SOLO  ASST   TTK    TFL SK    QBP CF      FR      BLK PB     INT
2007  38  20   58   0  0  0  2  1  1  12  10##