Football: Safety highlight of a Berry good secondary (08-28-06)
By Michael Petre (Daily Staff Writer)
WINCHESTER — They called themselves "The Future," but the time is most definitely now.
Shenandoah's top three defensive backs — cornerbacks Anthony Hayes and Justin Mosser, along with safety Joey Berry — came to Winchester with lofty goals. They became fast friends and realized quickly their football futures were undoubtedly linked.
The aim was becoming a dominant force in the defensive backfield. To some extent, that has been achieved. Hayes will enter 2006 as one of Division III's top corners. Mosser, when he has been healthy, has been just as successful.
But the injury bug bit Berry, too. Now healthy, the vocal leader in the secondary is ready to lift his game to another level.
"We have a whole senior secondary back there," he said. "I've been playing with those boys since freshman year; none of us is better than the other."
When the Hornets' open the season against Catholic on Thursday night, it will be Berry's time. Modeled by his teammates and adored by his coaches, Berry is the prototype of a football warrior.
"You'd like to have 11 on offense and 11 on defense and 11 on special teams [like Berry]," coach Paul Barnes said. "If you've got that, [defensive coordinator Garry] Fisher can go up there and sip a little iced tea in the press box."
An honorable mention all-USA South Conference selection a year ago, Berry racked up 38.5 tackles in just seven games. He missed the season's first three contests after breaking his right hand during the preseason, an injury that could have had much more of an impact.
"Some people didn't want me to play," Berry said. "The trainers were saying, 'Why not take the season to let it heal?' The doctor said, 'I don't see you playing any football.'
"I said, 'Is there a possibility?' He gave me a percentage and I went with it."
As the season unfolded, Berry became one of the few guarantees in an injury-ravaged defense. His 30 solo tackles led the team, and he chipped in five pass break-ups and an interception.
"When some people get hurt, they go to the sidelines and they pity themselves," Barnes said. "Joey Berry was in the huddle. Joey Berry was on the field. Joey Berry was being the other coach; he was being that inspiration. He didn't have to do that."
That's how he approaches the game. Paired with fellow senior Clive Williams at safety, Berry and the rest of "The Future" make the secondary the most talented and experienced facet of the roster.
"Man, this man is a leader," Williams said. "With that attitude — trying to make every play — it just stands for itself."
There's something unique about this season. As freshmen and sophomores, Berry and his cornerback classmates didn't see much time on the field together, playing secondary roles as the Hornets marched to back-to-back co-conference championships.
Now, as the team's defensive leaders, the three have a shot to play together — if they can stay healthy — for the last time.
"No more chances," Mosser said. "I think we've got something special with these three right here. Ant's probably the best corner in the country. And Joey, he's an animal."
Berry also appreciated the opportunity before him, but he found time to issue a warning to the Hornets' upcoming opponents.
"We just want to play 10-plus more games with each other," he said. "Some teams didn't get to see us three work with each other, and now we've got Clive Williams back at strong safety. So look out — just look out."
There aren't any hints of regret, either. Sure, last season's injury was a frustrating turn of events, but it's not something Berry would have wanted to unfold differently.
"I'm here to play football," he said, "If I've go to play with a broken hand, I've got to play with a broken hand."
