Sportsbeat Preview: Berlin Brothersvalley Mountaineers

NEW ENTERPRISE (WTAJ) — Few players have been as synonymous with one’s school’s athletic success as Pace Prosser was for Berlin. He did it on every field or court he took. Now graduated, the Mountaineers have a massive task of filling the void.

“We’re not a team that’s married to a system,” said head coach Doug Paul. “Like we’re not a wing team, we’re not a spread team, chucking the ball 40, 50 times a game. We always try to morph our offense around what the strengths are.”

Earlier in the summer Paul was non-committal on a quarterback, and suggested using a group of players to replace the dynamism of Prosser who in three season threw for 4,917 yards, and rushed for another 1,477 and 74 total touchdowns. Returning leading rusher Cooper Huston and all-conference linemen Cody Livengood, among a number of other starters on the offensive line, Berlin is built to run the ball this fall. And that’s the plan.

“Our identity is definitely going to be running the ball,” said Paul. “But you’re just going to see a lot more diverse formations this year. I spent a lot of time in the offseason studying North Dakota State and some of the things they do with with running the ball. And there’s some good stuff there. So we want to make teams prepare. But, in our preparation, it’s going to be simplicity.”

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“Just getting the playmakers the ball and letting letting them make plays and giving the ball to our best guys to have the best chances to win, you know that’s always the goal,” said senior wide receiver Haydon Hutzell. “But last year we kind of had of a system with Pace at quarterback, he could dot any team up throw to anyone he wanted. But this year we’re going to have to kind of keep it a little more simple, but also do what we know we can do.”

Few coaches are in a better position to change directions. Doug Paul is in his 23rd season and has posted a career 170-75 record. He’s led Berlin to a winning record in 13 of the last 14 years.

Key Losses: Pace Prosser (QB/DB) Cody Kimmel (WR/DB) Aiden Ream (RB/LB)

Key Returners: Cody Livengood (OL/DL) Cooper Huston (RB/DE) Haydon Hutzell (WR/DB) Trace Hay (LB/OL)

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