"It was a day-to-day thing," he said. "I did a lot of stretching and applied ice and heat to speed up the recovery process. I feel lucky to be back out there and playing."
North Penn was thankful to have Fielder, a fierce competitor, in the lineup Saturday in a state semifinal rematch with La Salle.
Getting more carries than usual, the 5-foot-10, 190-pounder gained 104 yards on 20 attempts to help the Knights fight past the Explorers, 21-14, before an overflow crowd at Northeast.
The extra work came as a result of a shoulder injury to junior tailback Kyle Mayfield in a 34-14 semifinal romp over Council Rock South. Mayfield had just three touches against La Salle.
"Coach [Dick] Beck told him during the week that it was going to be 'The Fielder Show,' and I think that's pretty much what happened," North Penn senior quarterback Corey Ernst said.
Fielder's bullish running paved the way for all three of Ralph Reeves' touchdowns. "He's unbelievable," Ernst said. "He has the most heart on the team, I think."
In snapping an 0-for-3 skid against the Explorers, the Knights (13-2) moved closer to their first state title since 2003. On Saturday at 6 p.m. at HersheyPark Stadium, they will take on District 3's Central Dauphin (14-1) for top honors.
"It's an incredible feeling," said Fielder, who notched three tackles. "It's a feeling that can't be compared to anything else. We worked so hard for this."
Fielder, senior two-way end Shayne Watson and junior linebacker Bobby McDonald are sporting a Mohawk hairstyle. Watson did the honors.
"Everyone loves the Mohawk," Fielder, of Montgomeryville, said with a laugh. "It shows a different side of me, I guess you could say."
