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Fields shines at Lift-a-thon
South cap
Jamari Fields
Jamari Fields shows his Lift-a-thon hardware Saturday. (Photo: Donald Heath)

By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald


GUYTON — Five-foot-6, 150-pounder Jamari Fields put on a big show at South Effingham’s Lift-a-thon on Saturday morning.

The Mustangs’ versatile senior football playmaker won the 40-yard dash and the vertical jump, and scored well in four other events to finish as the top-point man among his teammates in the team’s annual fundraiser.

“(Fields) sure is fast and shifty, strong and powerful. He’s a really good athlete,” SEHS coach Nathan Clark said.

Fields, a top sprinter on the school’s track and field team, posted a time of 4.44 in the 40-yard dash and jumped 37 inches in the vertical jump and was second in the pro shuttle with a time of 4.20.

Fields, who recently received an offer from Reinhardt University, also flexed muscle among the strongest Mustangs, lifting 275 in the bench press.

Fields won with a point-total of 1,525.

“Jamari can do anything we ask of him on the football field,” Clark said. “We can play him at running back or we can put him on the outside at wide receiver.”

A year ago, Fields averaged more than 14 yards a touch as a running back (19 carries, 153 yards), pass receiver (eight catches, 142 yards), punt returner (five returns, 81 yards) and kickoff returner (12 returns, 242 yards).

And he could get more opportunities this season after the graduation of the team’s 2021 offensive leaders Cameron Edwards and Joelle Laldee.

South had several outstanding performances at the Lift-a-thon. Senior linebacker William Christmas won the bench press (285 pounds) and medicine ball toss (29.0) was second in overall points with 1,430. Rakeam Williams was third with 1,310.

Dominic Martell led the juniors with 1,295 points. Cole Hoffman paced the sophomores with 1,290 and Jake Connelly topped the freshmen with 1,120.

Junior Q’Ron France won the pro shuttle (4.06). Hoffman won the Farmer’s Carry (9.01).

While the Lift-a-thon provides fun competition for the players, raising money for the program is the main goal.

Clark said parents find sponsors, which get their names on Lift-a-thon t-shirts. Players also get financial pledges for their points.

Clark said the money will be used for helmets, shoulder pads, girdles, knee pads, practice gear, weight equipment and future uniforms.

SEHS’ 2022 season opens Aug. 19 in Vidalia. The Mustangs will have a scrimmage Aug. 12 at Southeast Bulloch.