From E-W to UW: Checking In With Former E-W (And Current Wyoming) Football Player Zack Berg

Fans of the Edmonds-Woodway football program should be familiar with the name Zack Berg. The former Warriors running back/linebacker anchored a 6-4 team in 2010 that advanced to the first round of the state tournament.

After racking up 1,440 rushing yards, 22 TD's, 50 tackles and 2.5 sacks his senior year, Berg is now testing his skills at linebacker for the University of Wyoming. Patch spoke with Berg on Wednesday to get his insights on the transition from the high school level to playing collegiate ball.

How many practices have you had so far?

We started Wednesday and got our gear and we've been practicing since Saturday in pads. We had a scrimmage yesterday and we're going to have a scrimmage this Friday again. It's been full-pads, full go.

Has anything stuck out to you so far as the biggest difference between the high school level and the collegiate level?

Definitely, going from high school to Division I college football [the biggest difference] is size and speed. It's a big change. In high school, you're playing with guys that are pretty good and when you get to the college level, everybody is the same. They're there because they're really good. Size and speed have definitely changed. Trying to keep up with these guys is very hard. You've just got to keep your work ethic extremely hard and just try to keep up with these guys, because everyone is good right now.

You're practicing at linebacker right now?

Yes, sir.

What has it been like to go from high school, where you play multiple positions, to just focusing on one position?

In high school, playing multiple positions, you get more opportunities to help out your team. But [in college] they focus on you knowing that one position which can help your team at this level. It's been a great opportunity to play linebacker here. I find it just fine, playing just one position. I'm getting reps in and everything's so fast, you rotate in and out so fast, I don't mind playing one position now, just trying to help out the team.

It might be a little bit more difficult to play multiple positions [at the college level], huh?

(Laughs). Oh yeah, you'd get beat up very fast out here.

What ultimately led you to choose Wyoming as your college choice?

Probably because of the offer, the full ride, that got me to come here and the coach. Plus, they stuck with me the whole time. Instead of other schools that would sometimes call, they kept in contact with me the whole time. And, I loved the area around here. When I came and visited, it reminded me of home where I grew up in Oregon. It's very small-town, tight-knit community, everyone's about Wyoming football. It's the only Division I school in Wyoming, so everyone comes from everywhere...Wyoming football is a big part of the state and everyone loves it, so I really wanted to come here. Plus, their number one thing is getting your degree and getting your out of college and graduating. They are very knit-tight about that, that's the number one thing and number two is football.

Any idea what you want to study yet?

I have tried to get my dad to discuss with me about business and economics, he did that, but I was thinking about doing physical therapy or physical education.

Anything in particular that appeals to you about those fields?

It's basically keeping me in sports. Once you get done with this game, it's hard to get away from it, so I want to still be around it.

When you think about finally stepping out on the field for your first college game, what are the thoughts that go through your head?

The first thought is probably "don't mess up," if you get the chance to go in. Probably just running out on the field, I'll be nervous. It's going to go from maybe 1,000 people that watched you to 35,000 people just yelling at you. It's going to be intense, but I'm going to be excited.

Will you be following Edmonds-Woodway this year?

Yeah, I keep in touch with most of those guys, because we were tight-knit guys there. I'll definitely be checking in with them, seeing how they're doing, looking on-line, giving them calls and all that stuff, just keeping in touch with them.