2024 Interview with a confident Mason Fields from Dixie Heights High School, Ky.

[newarkcatholicfan]

Mason Fields

Dixie Heights

Quarterback

2026

 

What were your goals heading into the 2023 season, and were you able to accomplish those goals?

In 2023, I learned that no matter the circumstance, I must keep working and stay ready. I have learned and really found a motive within my training this offseason with the experience that I had this past season.

What were the high and low points of your 2023 season?

The highest moment of the 2023 season for me was when I realized our team's potential when we went into Cov Cath, a top-5 team in the state of Kentucky, and came up just 7 points short in the final minute of the game. My lowest part of the season was when I saw the game slip from the fingers of all my senior teammates in our round 2 playoff loss to the Highlands.

What do you feel you need to improve on the most to become a better player?

This offseason, I have recognized that my measureables and my speed must be raised in order to take my play to the next level. I have been attacking these goals and have seen much improvement so far this off-season.

What are you doing during the off-season to help you become a better player?

This off-season, we have been working out 5–6 times a week, becoming better and growing closer to each other. From what I have seen among my teammates, we will be a much improved team.

I have read that you are spending a lot of time hitting the weights. How is it going, and what do you think the benefits will be as far as football goes?

I have spent a lot of my work this offseason in the weight room developing my body to compete better through the transition to the Varsity level. The strength training itself is going great, and I do not plan on slowing down my progress anytime soon.

As a quarterback, how much time on your own do you spend throwing with your receivers?

I spend most of my free time going up to the field with my receivers and putting in extra work. Whenever one is available, I will take advantage and put in work.

What is the hardest defense for you to face?

I wouldn’t say that there is any defense that poses a specific threat to me. I feel like I can handle any mix of coverage or blitz packages that the opponent throws at me.

What has been the best advice you have been given when it comes to football, along with the person who gave you the advice?

The best advice that has been given to me is to trust the process and to keep working, especially when nobody else is. This saying has come from many of the coaches that I have had the experience to play for, from the youth to the high school level.

If you could add one team to the schedule and take one team off, who would it be?

I feel like our coach has given us a schedule with loads of competition and talented teams that I am ready to face.

What is the best and worst part of practice?

My favorite part of practice is definitely the first practice of the week, when our new opponent's defense is thrown at me and I must see what I can do to find the weaknesses. To me, there is no worst part of practice. I love it all.

What if anything would you change about the Kentucky High School Playoff System?

I wish that the playoff system was reverted to how the previous system was prior to 2022, when district championships were played in the playoffs.

Do you feel that you and your teammates are role models to the younger kids who come and root for you guys to win?

Most definitely. I love seeing the kids that admire us and hope to be on the same field as us some day, exactly like I used to be. Now that I am in high school, I try to stay around the kids as much as possible by officiating youth football and helping out with the quarterbacks at our middle school.

Where is the best spot in town to grab a meal?

A spot that can never fail me is PeeWees. I love to go grab a good burger or breakfast at PeeWees, whether it is with my teammates after practice or with my family after church. PeeWees never fails.

Who are your favorite and least favorite pro football teams?

I’ve got to say the hometown team, the Bengals. I’ve always been raised by my dad to watch and root for them. And, almost more importantly, root against the Steelers.

What scares you?

Nothing, other than heights. Heights have got to be my biggest fear, and the weird part is that I love riding roller coasters. So I guess that if I’m moving, I’ll be just fine.

Link to interview with pics sent by player
https://hearltlandfan15.blogspot.com/2024/03/2024-interview-with-confident-mason.html

[NKY-guy]

Does Fields get some Varsity QB play this year , giving them the opportunity to do other things with Gregg?

[New Colonel]

I hope Fields is the starting QB.  I think he throws a better ball.  And with how big and strong Gregg is, he'd be my running back and I'd run him 30+ times a game.  Make teams load up the box to stop Gregg which will open up the big plays off of play action.  But that's me.

[KYFootballFanz]

6 hours ago, New Colonel said:

I hope Fields is the starting QB.  I think he throws a better ball.  And with how big and strong Gregg is, he'd be my running back and I'd run him 30+ times a game.  Make teams load up the box to stop Gregg which will open up the big plays off of play action.  But that's me.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[The Double Deuce]

18 hours ago, New Colonel said:

I hope Fields is the starting QB.  I think he throws a better ball.  And with how big and strong Gregg is, he'd be my running back and I'd run him 30+ times a game.  Make teams load up the box to stop Gregg which will open up the big plays off of play action.  But that's me.

I am with you fully!  Mason is such a mature and talented young man, I'd give him the keys and let him lean on Gregg next year and then slowly mix in more of the route tree as the season unfolds and Mason gets more comfortable.  Seems like it has been a while since Dixie had a tall QB back in the pocket, and one equipped with a big and accurate arm.  They will be intriguing to watch this upcoming season.

[MaddenCurse44]

18 hours ago, New Colonel said:

I hope Fields is the starting QB.  I think he throws a better ball.  And with how big and strong Gregg is, he'd be my running back and I'd run him 30+ times a game.  Make teams load up the box to stop Gregg which will open up the big plays off of play action.  But that's me.

I don't  see Gregg losing the starting job he is a proven qb he should have a great Senior year.

[New Colonel]

11 minutes ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

I don't  see Gregg losing the starting job he is a proven qb he should have a great Senior year.

Typically, I am with you on not moving a fairly successful QB for their senior year.  

However, I am a firm believer that you put your best 11 on the field.  Fields is definitely best 11 and is more of a pure QB than Gregg.  Why waste Fields' talent this year just so Gregg can play his senior year at QB.  Gregg will probably get college looks, but they won't be for QB.  Help both Gregg's prospects and your team's by moving him to RB.  If he's playing RB, you can also give him more snaps on Defense; because having your QB play defense is just asking for trouble.

[nees1212]

Anderson and Gregg could be a very good 1-2 punch in the backfield.

 

[MaddenCurse44]

I think the Dixie coaches are smart enough to go with Gregg who threw for 1776 yards passing 22 tds.

[ProblemChild]

I have seen both play multiple times. Gregg can throw it or make a play with his feet. Fields is more of a pocket QB. In the JV games, it was tough to evaluate Fields because he was running for his life about 2 seconds into every snap, which is not really his game. He throws a nice ball but his decision making at times could be questioned. This, again, could be partially blamed on the "running for his life" part of playing JV ball. Fields had one start last season and he was 10-20, 61 yards and an INT. If it were me, I'm sticking with Gregg without thinking twice. 

Speaking of Gregg, I would love to see him play outside linebacker. I think he could play at the D1 level at this position. Obviously in high school you don't see many QBs playing defense as well, but he was an absolute force his Freshman year at that position. 

[New Colonel]

14 minutes ago, ProblemChild said:

Speaking of Gregg, I would love to see him play outside linebacker. I think he could play at the D1 level at this position. Obviously in high school you don't see many QBs playing defense as well, but he was an absolute force his Freshman year at that position. 

I agree with this!  That's another big reason I want him at RB..... easier to put RB on defense than QB. 

[Voice of Reason]

Gregg or Fields at QB?

I know nothing about Fields. But if you need to pass the ball to win, Gregg is not the QB. With one exception vs Conner, Dixie lost every game last year that Gregg threw more than 13 passes. They won every game that Gregg threw 13 passes or fewer.

[New Colonel]

29 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

Gregg or Fields at QB?

I know nothing about Fields. But if you need to pass the ball to win, Gregg is not the QB. With one exception vs Conner, Dixie lost every game last year that Gregg threw more than 13 passes. They won every game that Gregg threw 13 passes or fewer.

Solid analysis.  They looked so good against Beechwood and Cov Cath when they were just trying to pound the ball..... Beechwood especially.  Dixie OL had Beechwood DL on ice-skates.  Effective offenses don't have to be creative.

[nees1212]

The games I watched last year, Gregg just didn't look comfortable throwing the ball.  It was almost like he was scared to make a mistake.  From the glimpses I've seen along with some things he's done in the offseason, I think if he just goes out there and plays without the fear of making a mistake, he can be a very good passing qb.