Loyd Star senior middle linebacker David Fields and his Hornetteammates battled against one of the top Class 2A footballfranchises in the state, the Puckett Wolves last Friday night.

At the end, Puckett whipped Loyd Star 42-17 in Region 6-2A playand handed the Hornets (7-1) their first loss of the season.

Fields (5-11, 185) finished the game with a career-best 21tackles and 2 forced fumbles in the loss.

For his accomplishments, Fields has been named The DAILYLEADER’S Defensive Player of the Week. He also plays tight end onoffense and rotates with 2 other tight ends.

“It’s a great honor,” smiled Fields,mwhen asked about the weeklyaward. He was taking a brief break from the football field Mondayafternoon.

Fields runs a 40-yard dash in a 4.9 time. In the weight room, hebench presses 220 pounds, squats 355 pounds and power cleans210.

“David is a physical style player,” said Loyd Star head coachRyan Ross. “He is very good about game plans, reading his keys andbeing where he is supposed to be. He is one of those guys we counton defensively. He makes all the calls and makes sure everyone islined up right.

” David is very involved in the game plan each week,” continuedRoss. “He is a straight A student. He has dreams and hopes of goingon to the next level. He is a joy to coach. You show him once andit is usually done.”

Fields has been starting for 3 years at linebacker.

When asked about the loss to Puckett, Fields said it waslearning experience. “I learned we have to improve our defense. Wewill see more teams like Puckett in the playoffs.”

Fields credited his defensive line with helping him make thehigh number of tackles against Puckett.

“They are the major reason I get some of my tackles,” explainedFields.

Starting on the defensive line are Cody Lanham at nose guard,Andrew Thompson and C.J. Duckworth at end and Clint Scott attackle.

Fields says he appreciates the help of Coaches Ross and JoshThibodeaux, the team’s defensive coordinator. “Coach Ross knowsmore about the game of football than anyone I have ever met. I canask him a question about football and get an answer. He is a goodcoach.

“Coach Thibodeaux always has a solid defensive plan,” Fieldsnoted. “If we give 100 percent and are confident, we will stoptheir (opponent’s) offense.”

Fields is the son of David and Rene Fields and he has a10-year-old sister, Thea. He said he was recently accepted toHarding University in Searcy, Ark. He plans to major in criminaljustice.

“I’d also like to play a little football,” added Fields.

Fields said he was grateful for his success this year. “I wantto thank our coaches and everyone on defense.”

Loyd Star hopes to bounce back Friday night when the Hornetssquare off against the Fighting Yellow Jackets of Enterprise in akey region test, a.k.a. the Sting Bowl, at Harry Cole Field. Thegame begins at 7.

Asked about the Enterprise game, Fields replied,” We’ll have tocome out at a high tempo. Defensively, we’ll have to drive our feetthrough their tackles.”

On Sundays, Fields closely follows the New Orleans Saints. Hisfavorite NFL player is Ray Lewis, Baltimore’s All-Prolinebacker.