The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Mentor’s Berger a captain for Bobcats
When Kent Berger was a senior on Mentor’s 2013 football team that was the Division I state runner-up, he was one of the Cardinals’ captains.
Fast forward five years later, and Berger is again a captain.
The redshirt senior defensive tackle was recently informed by Ohio University coach Frank Solich he will be one of seven captains for the Bobcats this fall.
It’s a honor Berger takes seriously, and one he’s looking forward to, especially since he’ll carry that experience from high school into this next phase.
“It was a lot of responsibility the first time being a captain (at Mentor), and I don’t think I realized how much,” Berger said. “A lot of eyes are on you, and you’re counted on to bring guys along and show them the way. Having already done that and having that experience is big.”
Of Ohio’s seven captains, five are seniors, including Berger.
“I think that says a lot about our senior class,” he said.
Berger said a goal while in college was eventually earning a distinction as a captain, and he had a good feeling after last season’s 9-4 campaign he might be picked. Still, until his name was called ...
“I really had no idea it was coming,” said Berger, who was informed during a recent 9 a.m. workout. “I was pretty surprised, but even if I wasn’t a captain I would treat my teammates the same way. When you’re a senior, it’s about holding everyone accountable, and holding myself to a higher standard.”
Berger, listed at 6-foot5, 277 pounds, came to Ohio as a Mentor defensive end, but last season he bulked up to about 280 pounds, and played defensive tackle. He played in all 13 games in 2018, and recorded 13 tackles with two sacks, plus a safety. The move inside was an adjustment because of carrying
extra weight.
“The first time I hit 280, it was tough,” Berger said. “I got tired faster, but now I’m used to it, and I’m good. The key wasn’t conditioning. It’s nutrition, and eating the right thing. You can eat 2,000 calories a day, but it can’t be 2,000 calories of garbage and fast food. I’ve stayed away from red meats, and just been smarter watching what I eat.”
Berger’s diet has helped him stay fueled during one last summer in Athens of strength and conditioning preparing for the fall. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are heavylifting days for the team, with the end of the week reserved for conditioning drills. That includes grueling work running up hills — a landscape feature well known within the Athens campus.
“Oh yeah, running up the hills of Athens is a lot of fun,” Berger said with a laugh. “At this point, I’m used to all these hills.”
Berger hopes the offseason work translates to something he and the rest of the program have been in hot pursuit for a while.
“We’re trying to get this MAC championship we’ve been chasing,” he said.