Football: George Fields paces Lowell to win over Morton
By Josh Lichtenfeld Post-Tribune correspondent August 24, 2012 11:46PM
Updated: September 26, 2012 6:09AM
LOWELL — Call 2011 a year of some underclassman growing pains for Lowell running back George Fields.
As a sophomore, he was a viable option to split the field, but according to coach Keith Kilmer, he wasn’t quite ready to embrace the full responsibilities of being the top tailback on a historically running-oriented team.
“Last year it was an immature George Fields,” Kilmer said. “He accepted that role of what it means to be No. 6.”
Now with two games under his belt, Fields has began to exploit opposing defenses. As the Red Devils got their first win on Friday — a mostly lopsided 26-14 victory over visiting Morton — Fields led the charge with four rushing TDs, which brings his total up to seven heading into next week’s battle with NCC rival Kankakee Valley.
Starting with his 14-yard score that gave the Devils (1-1) first blood at 4:18 in the first, Fields continued to dominate by scoring on a 77-yard dash with 15.1 seconds left in the first, and a 43-yarder with 3:24 remaining in the second, helping the Devils take a comfortable 20-0 lead into the break.
“When I see a hole open, I try to make my cuts,” Fields said after amassing 264 total yards and powering Lowell’s 210-yard rushing total to Morton’s 42 by halftime. “I’m very appreciative of my line, they open the holes very well.”
And while the first half’s score was enough for Lowell, it was Fields’ controversial 45-yard TD in the last 15 seconds of the third, putting Lowell up 26-7, that gave the home team breathing room. Both teams started walking to their benches when Kilmer called 34-Iso and Fields surged through the unprepared Governors (0-2).
“I’m yelling across the field (to Morton coach Roy Richards), I apologize,” Kilmer said, clarifying he didn’t have ill intentions.
Morton’s Kendall Huff scored a 67-yard rush with 2:46 in the third and Eleazar Henderson punched in a 1-yarder in the fourth.
“Roy’s offense is so potent and they can score at any time,” said Kilmer, who now wants stronger second halves. “To beat a great team, you’ve go to be a great team. We couldn’t do that in the second half. We need to close out.”
