Football Supplement: 'Berlin Wall' still standing for Quakers

It seems improbable and almost impossible that the cornerstone of the Penn football team's defense would prefer doing something else rather than playing football. However, Berlin would rather be in someone else's shoes. "If I could play basketball, I would do anything to take Jerome Allen's place," said Berlin, who also lettered in basketball in high school. "I like football and all, but I love basketball." Quaker football fans do not have to worry, though. When Penn's defense takes the field against Dartmouth tomorrow, Berlin will be there to anchor a defense which dominated the Ivies last season. The Quaker defense was ranked number-one in the Ivy League, no small part due to Berlin. · Fortunately for Penn, the Quakers' coaching staff did not let Berlin get away. However, the coaching staff would have had to be deaf, dumb and blind to miss the physical ability Berlin possesses. Like so many of Penn's athletes, Berlin grew up in New Jersey. Berlin's talent was evident throughout his high school career in Fairlawn, N.J., where he lettered in three sports – baseball, basketball and football. Even though Berlin is a considerably better football player than basketball player, he would still rather bust a three-pointer than crush a quarterback. "I was a guard [on the basketball team]," Berlin recounted. "I was tall and thin. I gained 20 pounds each summer in high school, blew up and was playing center. All I could do was pass and dribble. No, I couldn't play here. No way." Berlin fortunately had another sport to fall back on – football. Not only could Berlin play, but he excelled. He led his Fairlawn High team to three consecutive New Jersey state playoffs. In his senior season, the team made it all the way to the state semifinals before bowing out. For his efforts, Berlin was named to the all-state team as a senior and played in the New Jersey North-South All-Star Game. "Andy's a positive influence on the team," said senior wide receiver Bill Cobb, Berlin's friend and teammate since elementary school. "He's a really, really hard worker. He might not say a lot, but he leads by example." After three impressive years on the varsity squad, Berlin attracted the attention of colleges nation-wide. When it came down to it, Berlin found himself faced with a tough decision – where to go to college. Penn, as a member of the Ivy League, was somewhat handicapped in the recruitment process since it does not offer athletic scholarships. When it came time to make a decision, Berlin could either accept an athletic scholarship from William & Mary or endure a greater financial responsibility by becoming a member of the Red and Blue. "Everywhere else I went, I really didn't enjoy myself," Berlin said. "I was going to go to William and Mary because I wasn't going to have to pay, but Penn came up with some money. [The Penn coaching staff] knew I couldn't be interested in them unless they gave me some [financial aid]. I wanted to go to an Ivy League school." · After playing for one season on the freshman football team, Berlin stepped right into the starting lineup as a sophomore middle linebacker. He played alongside one of the best in his first season, 1992 MVP and all-American Joe Kopcha. However, Berlin more than held his own. He went on to record 80 tackles in his sophomore season, which put him at fourth on the squad. When Kopcha graduated before last season, Berlin was asked to step up his level of play one more time. He was more than up to the challenge. Berlin struggled with injuries in the early part of the season, but he kept on getting stronger as the season continued. "[In the season-opener against Dartmouth] I got a concussion," Berlin said. "I ran full-speed into [Penn lineman] Dave Betten's head. His head, I guess, was a little harder than mine. I lost that one. Then, in the first or second play against Colgate, I got cut from behind. I had no idea where the guy was. I tore something below my knee." Defensive coordinator Michael Toop recalls that the injury may have been a blessing in disguise. "Last year, coming in, I think he was more of a finesse kid," Toop said. "He had real good size.,6-3, 235. After he came off of the injured list, he became a more physical player. When Andy came back in the William & Mary game, he was very, very physical in a very physical game, and it carried through the year." Berlin acknowledges his change towards more physical play. "[After the injury] I didn't have as much confidence in my feet," Berlin said. "My legs were a little heavy. Basically, I was slower. I had to be more physical." Regardless of Berlin's style of play, he still seems to be making the big play at the right time. He may have been slower last season, but that did not stop him from wreaking havoc for the opposition's offense. "Andy's kind of different," senior strong safety Jim Magallanes said. "He doesn't say much, but you always know he's on the field because he's always making plays and stepping up. I'm happy to have him out there because he contributes so much." · Even though Andy Berlin may prefer to play basketball, the Quakers are glad he is still playing football. His play at center for his high school basketball team may have prepared him for the Penn defensive scheme. The Penn 5-2 defense is designed to funnel the opposition's offense into the middle-linebackers. This leaves the middle-linebacker with the responsibility for making the majority of the plays. So, while Berlin may have been the big man in the paint in high school basketball, he is now the man in the middle in college football. Except now he is allowed to knock down opposing players if they get in his way without getting called for a foul.