By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN —
Scooter Berry is one of the leaders in West Virginia University’s rejuvenated defensive line this fall.
“For a guy like him, the bar is set high,” veteran defensive line coach Bill Kirelawich said. “He is a great athlete. He played injured last season.”
Berry, a 6-foot-1, 290-pound senior from North Babylon, N.Y., played in only eight games last season because of a shoulder injury. But he underwent surgery in the offseason and missed all of spring practice.
But he is healthy now and with 28 career starts he leads all returning regulars. Senior Chris Neild and junior Jullian Miller are the other two line starters back.
“I try to lead by example,” Berry said as preseason camp completed the first week of practice. “I don’t like to talk much, but I speak when I have to speak.”
Head coach Bill Stewart said, “He’s doing really good. He picked me up the other day when I had my back to him going from pass rush to team drills. All of a sudden someone had me in a bear hug and it was Scooter.
“No. 93 had me by the back, but he set me down gently. Scooter is doing really, really well. Wow!
“I just hope and pray that it continues with his health. He has to be smart and get the necessary reps.”
Berry said, “I enjoy being out there. Coach Kirelawich is my man. I want to finish the season strong.
“I want to be aggressive in what I do for this team. Kirelawich is like a father to me.
“I learn something new from him each day. He always has something to teach me. He’s a great guy.”
Going into his final season, Berry shows 74 tackles, 34 solo stops, two forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries.
He also has six sacks and five passes broken up.
Berry, a two-time all-state star at North Babylon High School, thinks the WVU defense generally will be stronger this year.
“It depends on how we work together,” he said. “I believe we are better in every area.”
WVU has been pretty much a 3-3-5 stacked defense in the past. But the Mountaineers did use a four-man defensive line some in camp.
“I like the so-called 40 best,” Berry said.
“That’s because I’m big and can stay inside. I play over the offensive guard. In the three-man line I just rush the quarterback.”
The Mountaineers will close camp next Sunday with their annual Fan Day appearance at Mountaineer Field/Milan Puskar Center.
Coaches and players will be available to sign autographs and visit with fans from 2 to 4 p.m. Fans will be limited to one autograph each.
WVU fall classes will take up on Monday, Aug. 23.
