By Tribune-Review

Published: Saturday, November 24, 2012, 8:47 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, January 9, 2013

JALEEL FIELDS

6-foot-2, 275 pounds, DT, Aliquippa

Jaleel Fields spent Friday opening holes at right tackle for classmates Dravon Henry and classmate Terry Swanson as Aliquippa rushed for 505 yards in a 34-7 victory over Washington in the WPIAL Class AA final at Heinz Field.

“He's a big kid,” Henry said, “but the main thing about Jaleel is he can move like a fullback.”

Fields has made his mark, however, at defensive tackle. That's why he spent Saturday on an unofficial visit to Ohio State.

Fields has a dozen sacks and about 80 tackles this season, one in which Aliquippa has dominated opponents. The Quips (13-0) have allowed only 49 points through 13 games with six shutouts.

“He's a big key to that line,” Henry said. “He's in on every tackle. All you hear (over the loudspeaker) is ‘Jaleel Fields. Jaleel Fields.' That speaks for itself.”

Fields is powerful, bench-pressing 320 pounds, squatting 520 and running the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds.

“I work hard every day,” said Fields, an honor roll student. “No days off. And I work hard in school.”

After winning their second consecutive WPIAL Class AA championship — Aliquippa has a WPIAL-record 15 titles — Fields and Henry were excited about going to a major-college rivalry game Saturday. They visited Columbus to see Ohio State beat arch-nemesis Michigan, 26-21, to finish an undefeated season.

“It's very exciting for me,” Fields said. “It's a good atmosphere and a great coaching staff with Urban Meyer.”

It might be the first time this season the Quips seemed to be impressed.

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